Crowdfunded ‘Roboy’ to Debut
A team of researchers in Zurich turned to crowdfunding to launch an ambitious robotics project—developing an advanced, humanoid service robot in just nine months.
The project is being spearheaded by the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the University of Zurich. Dubbed Roboy, the cuddly-looking robot will be constructed using a human-like, tendon-driven design (rather than having motors in its joints). The new robot builds on work done at Sussex University on a tendon-driven robot called ECCE.
Robotic Battle Dog Now Obeys Voice Commands
I may never get tired of reading and writing about Boston Dynamics’ animal-inspired military robots. Back in March, John Newman updated us on the company’s robo-cheetah. Now we’ve learned that the company’s fantastically awesome, battle-ready AlphaDog (otherwise known as the Legged Squad Support System, or LS3) has gotten even better. Continue reading
NASA Tests Fission Reactor for Space Flight
One challenge NASA perpetually faces is the task of powering its space craft, along with all of the equipment and sensors on board, and transmitting data across the solar system. Now the space agency and the Department of Energy (DOE) are testing a small, uranium-based reactor that could power small craft, as well as structures that could be built on other planets. Continue reading
Brits to Test Floating House
Like many other countries, the UK experiences periodic flooding. With adverse weather events seemingly gaining in severity, UK authorities are looking for ways to prevent and mitigate the damage from future floods. For inspiration, they’ve turned to The Netherlands, a country that rests largely below sea level. One innovation they hope to copy: floating houses that rise with flood waters.
Carbon Fiber Vessel Breaks Speed Sailing Record
Things just got a bit faster out on the water. A specially designed sailboat sponsored by Danish wind turbine maker Vestas has set a new 500-meter sailing speed record. The Sailrocket 2 reached 59.23 knots (68.1 mph) on Walvis Bay in Namibia earlier this month. It was also clocked at 64.7 knots (74.5 mph) during a later run. Continue reading
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