Important Innovations

  Breakthrough Medical Robotic System Being Developed                                       Source:  MIT & Origami Robots Potential Drug Treatment Delivery System, Non-Invasive Surgery and More Researchers at MIT's world famous CSAIL (Computer Science Artificial Intelligence Laboratory) are developing revolutionary, new, tiny robots, shaped like centuries old, Japanese art called origami, with tremendous medical potential.  Here are the key facts: MIT scientists and roboticists are using origami folding patterns to create tiny robots to perform "no incision, no pain and no infection risk surgeries" Robot can fold to the size of a pill It is ingestible It can be moved around in the digestive system by using magnetic fields It has been successfully tested and removed a tiny battery button in an artificial stomach and digestive tract - young kids in the thou...

  Gary the Robot Does Laundry, Brings Coffee & Cleans                                     Source:  Unlimited Robotics' Gary A Very Versatile Robot For Home and Business For most of us, Gary the robot could be a dream come true.  He can do household chores like vacuuming and doing the laundry (load and unloading the washer) that most of us wouldn't mind not doing.  Developed in Israel by Unlimited Robotics he is one of the world's most versatile robots.  And, he will be available for customers in 2022. Incredible Functionality Gary weighs 88 pounds, is about 4.5 feet tall and can move at 3.1 mph.  He is designed to work in homes and businesses.  His functionality seems endless.  He can pickup socks, water plants, clean toilets, open jars, put bags of groceries into the trunk of a car, load the dishwasher and more.  For businesses, ...

  Grace - Robo Nurse For Senior Care                                             Source:  Hanson Robotics' Grace & Toyota's Gantry Robot Toyota's Gantry Robots To Assist Elderly in the Kitchen The global use of helper/service robots is dramatically on the rise.  According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales of medical robots, before the pandemic hit, were up 28% between 2018 and 2019.  Now with the pandemic and the megatrend of telehealth and contactless care, the IFR is forecasting that the sale of medical robots will double during the next three years.  Good examples of emerging new health and elder care robots are Grace, a humanoid robot created by Hanson Robotics of Hong Kong and Gantry robot from Toyota. Grace Has Sensors, a Thermal Camera & Speaks 3 Languages Grace is a remarkable piece of rob...

  Grace - Robo Nurse For Senior Care                                             Source:  Hanson Robotics' Grace & Toyota's Gantry Robot Toyota's Gantry Robots To Assist Elderly in the Kitchen The global use of helper/service robots is dramatically on the rise.  According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), global sales of medical robots, before the pandemic hit, were up 28% between 2018 and 2019.  Now with the pandemic and the megatrend of telehealth and contactless care, the IFR is forecasting that the sale of medical robots will double during the next three years.  Good examples of emerging new health and elder care robots are Grace, a humanoid robot created by Hanson Robotics of Hong Kong and Gantry robot from Toyota. Grace Has Sensors, a Thermal Camera & Speaks 3 Languages Grace is a remarkable piece of rob...

  Robot Completes Outdoor Run in 53 Minutes                                      Source:  Oregon State University Cassie the Robot Makes Robotic History Cassie, a bipedal robot developed at Oregon State University, has made history by being the first robot to run a 5K race.  She finished the 3.1 mile course in 53 minutes, which is almost as good of a running time as that of the average human runner who can run the same distance in 30 to 40 minutes.  The technology and split second adjustments this feat took are considered major milestones in robotics. DARPA Funded Project Cassie was created by students in the University's Dynamic Robotics Lab under the guidance of Robotics Professor and Agility Robotics co-founder Jonathan Hurst.  To build Cassie they used biomechanics, existing robot control technologies and new machine learning tools.  Cassie is t...

Hyundai Completes Acquisition of Leading Robot Developer Boston Dynamics                                Source:  Hyundai & Boston Dynamics Synergies of Robotics and Automakers Hyundai Motor Group has completed its acquisition of Boston Dynamics, a world leader in developing agile, mobile robots such as Spot the robodog.  Boston Dynamics was valued at $1.1 billion with Hyundai having an 80% stake and SoftBank owning 20%.  The question is why would a global automaker buy a robotics company?  The answer:  Hyundai is going into robotics in multidimensional ways, including autonomous cars, urban air mobility vehicles and robots. Robotic Value Chain Hyundai says that it and Boston Dynamics will create a robotic value chain for everything from robot component manufacturing to smart logistics solutions.  Hyundai already has significant internal robotic expertise inclu...

  Mayflower 400 -  Truly Intelligent Ship                                         Source:  Mayflower 400 Captained by Artificial Intelligence In Plymouth, England, the world's first fully autonomous, intelligent ship - the Mayflower 400 - is preparing for its first transatlantic voyage to Plymouth, MA.  The Mayflower 400 commemorates the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, MA in 1620.  The 50 foot trimara weighs nine tons and navigates completely autonomously.  It is a ship without any people onboard for the ocean voyage to Massachusetts. Construction of the $1 million vessel took a year.  Every component of the ship operates autonomously including the diesel generator that supplements the solar panels that cover Mayflower 400. There is a robotic rudder that steers the vessel.  The journey to Plymouth wi...

World's First Truly Intelligent Ship                                         Source:  Mayflower 400 Captained by Artificial Intelligence In Plymouth, England, the world's first fully autonomous, intelligent ship - the Mayflower 400 - is preparing for its first transatlantic voyage to Plymouth, MA.  The Mayflower 400 commemorates the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, MA in 1620.  The 50 foot trimara weighs nine tons and navigates completely autonomously.  It is a ship without any people onboard for the ocean voyage to Massachusetts. Construction of the $1 million vessel took a year.  Every component of the ship operates autonomously including the diesel generator that supplements the solar panels that cover Mayflower 400. There is a robotic rudder that steers the vessel.  The journey to Plymouth will take three w...

  A Car That Walks                                             Source:  Hyundai Tiger Combines Robotics with Transportation South Korean automaker Hyundai is taking a leading role in the future of transportation innovation. It just unveiled its latest concept vehicle - Tiger - an electric, autonomous driving & walking car.  The vehicle innovatively combines robotics with transportation.  Hyundai calls it a UMV or ultimate mobility vehicle.  It is designed to change from a 4 wheel drive vehicle for road and off-road travel to a 4 leg walking vehicle when necessary to climb over obstacles that it can't drive over.  Tiger stands for Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot. Fully Autonomous Tiger is designed to be driverless and crewless with no passengers onboard. It is all electric and runs on four electric engines, eac...

  Purchase is About Technology for Autonomous Cars                                             Source:  Boston Dynamics $1.1 Billion Deal South Korean automaker Hyundai has purchased from Japan's Softbank the majority stake in robotics company Boston Dynamics for $1.1 billion.  Boston Dynamics is a cutting edge robotics firm and world famous for its robot dog Spot.  Hyundai is making the purchase to advance its autonomous technology for self-driving cars. Multi-tasking Spot Spot is a highly advanced, semi-autonomous, 4 legged robot that works around the world in many capacities.  It is on duty in many hospitals to help minimize medical staff exposure to COVID.  Spot works on construction sites, factory floors, on oil rigs and can even serve as a personal companion that opens the door or a bottle of coke.  Now, its robotic te...

  Shape Shifting Robotic Hoop to Help Improve Your Game                                                  Source:  MIT CSAIL Smart Basketball Hoop MIT researchers have invented a robotic basketball hoop that changes size and raises and lowers the hoop to help people improve their game.  The robotic basketball training machine was invented by researchers at MIT's world famous CSAIL - the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab.  The shape-shifting hoop is designed to help people improve various aspects of their game as they shoot balls. Highly Advanced Robotic Technology The hoop works autonomously and in conjunction with the player's improving basketball shots.  It has a special pieze sensor on the backboard and a switch sensor on the rim to detect when the ball goes into the hoop.  An algorithm shrinks the...

Robotic Satellite Fixing Systems Source:  NASA SAT  New DARPA Space Initiative The US Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has launched an innovative program to extend the life of US satellites orbiting in space.  In essence, DARPA is creating a robotic system to inspect, service, repair, improve and extend the lives of US satellites in orbit.  The program promises significant money savings and much longer and efficient use of satellites. Space Logistics DARPA is partnering with Space Logistics, a subsidiary of Northrup Grumman, to develop and deploy advanced robotic capabilities in space.   The first step is to develop what DARPA is calling a "DEXTEROUS ROBOTIC SERVICE".  The technology needed would increase satellite life spans, improve their reliability and resilience.  All of which would save the US government and space companies significant money lost when a satellite's operations breakdown a...

Russia's Skybot on the International Space Station Source:  Sputnik Delivered by Soyuz Rocket with No Humans on Board Russia's humanoid robot Skybot is onboard the International Space Station.  It was carried up to the ISS on a Soyez MS-14 rocket with no humans onboard.  The space journey was a non-human test flight of new systems including new motion control and navigation systems.  The inflight verifications, including data collected by Skybot, have cleared the way for Russian crews to be transported to ISS on the Soyuz 2.1a rocket starting in Spring 2020. Skybot the Crew Member Skybot F-850, formerly known as FEDOR, is designed to replicate the motions of a remote human operator.  The robot has arms and legs and can perform some functions autonomously.  Onboard the ISS, Skybot is testing its voice program to communicate with Russian astronauts and its ability to function in microgravity.  During its trip to the ISS, Skybot pr...

US Scientists Enable Jellyfish to Swim 3-times Faster Source:  Caltech New Invention with Big Potential to Monitor Health of Oceans Scientists at Stanford University and Caltech have created a pacemaker-like device that enables natural jellyfish to swim three times their normal speed.  The microelectronic, pulsing, tiny, prosthetic device generates electric jolts that make the fish triple their speed while using just twice as much energy.  The scientists and engineers involved in the project says the device causes no additional stress to the sea creatures.  They say the potential for this system is as vast as the ocean itself. Network of Live Ocean Monitors The scientific team says the combination of speed and energy efficiency from this device opens the possibility of using jellyfish to gather data from across the world's oceans. They envision equipping the jellyfish with sensors to track ocean temperatures, salinity and oxygen levels.  ...

Taking Reservations, Giving Information Source:  Misty Robotics Your Robotic Hotel Experience Misty 11 has great aspirations to be a key part of the hospitality industry.  The cute, little rolling robot is the invention of Misty Robotics, based in Boulder, Colorado and was just unveiled at CES 2020.  Misty can detect humans, greet them, interact, provide information and responses.  She can make reservations, call for assistance and even be part of point of sales systems.  The little robot gives new meaning to the hospitality industry.  Her inventors have designed her to go to work in a hotel near you very soon. Open Source Code What's ingenious about Misty is she is not limited to one task.  This is part of an important, new emerging trend to design robots that are not limited to one use.  They have capabilities that can be used in many ways.  In the case of Misty, from room mapping to greeting customers and taking r...

Breakthrough New Material from National University of Singapore Next Generation of Soft, Conductive Robots An innovative, new metallic material that bends, folds and stretches has just been unveiled by inventors at the National University of Singapore.  Experts say this material is so innovative it could lead to a next generation of soft conductive robots. Singapore Innovation The team at NUS developed a new process called "graphene oxide-enabled templating synthesis".  They take paper, soak it in graphene oxide, dip it in metallic ions and burn it twice.  The result is a thin metal layer that can stretch, bend and fold.  It can withstand high temperatures, remain electrically conductive and function as an antenna for wireless devices. De-icing Robots The inventors say the new metal's properties could allow robots made with a backbone of the material to operate in hazardous conditions and de-ice themselves if necessary.  For a free listen ...

Gita: Designed to Carry Your Groceries, Gear, Equipment - All in Motion on Foot with You Source:  Piaggio Fast Forward Gita Your Personal Butler Jeeves on the Street with You This is very cool robotic innovation, a new "Follow Me" robot named Gita, invented by Piaggio Fast Forward, a Boston startup, backed by the company that licensed Vespa.  This personal cargo robot can carry up to 45 pounds of groceries, luggage or equipment and directly follow the owner in a type of  Jeeves-like butler fashion right on the street.  It's a wheeled based bot that is designed to move like humans move.  It follows the owner with visual sensors at speeds up to 6 mph.  The company calls this tech "sustainable, mobility ecology" that lets humans walk more and drive less. Cargo Following You Hands Free The inventors say Gita is designed to enable humans to do less driving and do more walking by hauling their groceries and other items with a robotic cargo system....

New Innovation from Technical University of Munich Source:  Technical University of Munich Touch Sensitive Artificial Skin Makes for Safer, Accident Avoiding Robots This is new innovation from the Technical University of Munich.  Their H-1 autonomous, humanoid robot is covered with touch sensitive, synthetic artificial skin.  The skin is composed of 13,000 separate sensors.  The sensors enable the robot to feel the touch of humans.  New algorithms made it possible to apply artificial skin to a human sized robot. Safer Working Robots This is an important development because of concerns about humans getting hurt working side by side with robots.  Biologically-inspired artificial skin improves the robot's sensory ability, making it possible for the robot to sense its own body and surroundings. Senses Like the Human Brain The robot's artificial skin is able to measure temperature, pressure, proximity and acceleration.  The sens...

Audiobooks on the Latest Global Innovations Written & Narrated by US Network TV Journalists Informative & Entertaining Listening I'd like to share some free audio samples of our three audiobooks on innovation on ACX, Audible and iTunes - "Important Innovations Collection" by Edward Kane  These audiobooks provide our news summaries on the latest innovations in robotics, energy and travel, like flying car technology, commercial kite energy and breakthrough robotics that serve your medical needs. Ed and I are US national television journalists and we've wrote and narrated these news summaries.  Here are links for a listen on Renewable Energy  https://www.amazon.com/Important-Innovations-Collection-Energy/dp/B07XTQK5M4/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= For Robotics  https://www.amazon.com/Important-Innovations-Collection-Innovation-Impressive/dp/B07XTQW4JJ/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= For Travel  https:/...