Important Innovations

Ugo: Multi-Tasker that Can Even Fold Your Laundry Source:  Mira Robotics' Ugo Invented by Mira Robotics Japan's workforce is dwindling by more than a half-million workers a year because of its aging population.  To fill the worker shortage, Japan is experiencing an acceleration in the development of new, versatile robots.  A great new example is Ugo, the creation of Japanese startup company Mira Robotics. Remote Wireless Operation Ugo is a state of the art, remote controlled Avatar robot.  It is composed of a pair of height adjustable robotic arms that are mounted on wheels.  It navigates with a laser on its base.  And it is operated remotely through a wireless connection to a laptop and game controller. Many Uses Ugo has many uses. Its primary purpose is to serve as a worker robot and fill needs in Japan's dwindling workforce.  It can work as a security guard, inspect equipment and clean buildings.  It can also serve as a helper in ho...

Dolphin 1 Smart Lifebuoy Source:  OceanAlpha Smart, Moving Rescue Gadget Goes to Swimmers in Distress The new innovation, the Dolphin 1 Smart Lifebuoy, is remotely controlled to reach a swimmer in distress and bring them into shore safely.  The company behind the invention is OceanAlpha.  They say it works in various water conditions including rough seas. Propeller Swimming The device is dropped in the water and steered remotely to the struggling swimmer.  The gadget moves with two onboard propellers.  When the swimmer grabs on to the device, it pulls them to shore and safety.  The propellers on the device are enclosed and the front bumper is soft to protect the swimmer and any other human rescuers from injury. From China OceanAlpha is a China based innovation company, that's currently building a big R&D and testing facility in China.  It's a big player in unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for water quality monitoring, oceanography a...

New Human-Canine Communications Source:  Ben Gurion University Wireless, Remote Controlled Dog Vest to Guide the Dog Engineers at Ben-Gurion University in Israel have invented a haptic vest for search and rescue, military and service dogs.  It enables the handlers to direct the animal even when they are out of sight or out of vocal range.  Haptic technology simulates the sense of touch and motion.  The system operates by wireless remote control. Remote Controlled Guidance and Commands The team used a standard dog vest and placed four, small motors inside that operate by remote control.  They vibrate against the dog's back and sides.  The dog is trained to understand the vibrations and respond properly to them.  It enables the animal to be guided remotely. Proof of Concept The team calls the haptic vest a "proof of concept" that shows very promising results.  They say it opens the way toward using haptics as a new form of human-canine ...