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Humanoids

Atoun debuts Model Y exoskeleton

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Atoun Inc., a Panasonic company,  showcased two kinds of powered wear at CES 2019: Model Y that assists bending and stretching of the waist and a prototype, Himico, designed to support walking.

Since Atoun started domestic sales in Japan of Model Y in July 2018, it has been well received and the company has already secured orders for 160 units.

Atoun is now selling Model Y to overseas markets. The company is planning to expand sales to Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan in the future, starting with sales to ST Logistics Pte. Ltd., one of the biggest logistics companies in Singapore.

[Read more…] about Atoun debuts Model Y exoskeleton

Healthcare assistive robot market to surpass $1.2 billion by 2024

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The Healthcare Assistive Robot Market is set to grow from its current market value of more than $359 million to over $1.2 billion by 2024, as reported in the latest study by Global Market Insights.

Increasing incidence of stroke coupled with rising geriatric population worldwide is the key factor that will escalate the demand for healthcare assistive robots during the forecast period.

According to the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, each year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke of which around 6 million cases lead to mortality whereas about 5 million remain permanently disabled.  [Read more…] about Healthcare assistive robot market to surpass $1.2 billion by 2024

Google extends capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line

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Google has extended the capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line. 

The search giant is partnering with global clothing brand Levi’s to make jackets which can be connected to smartphones and used for notifications.

The company says that part of the clothing item has a flashing light and vibration which act as notifications when, for example, you leave your jacket in a restaurant, or when your rideshare car has arrived.  [Read more…] about Google extends capabilities of its Jacquard smart clothing line

LG Electronics to show latest wearable robots at CES 2019

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At CES 2019, LG Electronics (LG) will debut an updated version of its wearable CLOi SuitBot alongside a lineup of improved service robots which are nearing commercialisation.

The SuitBot supports the lower body to reduce stress when lifting and bending while the enhanced CLOi service robots – PorterBot, ServeBot and CartBot – will demonstrate their more advanced capabilities.

Originally unveiled last year in Berlin, the updated SuitBot supports the user’s waist and augments their own muscle power to reduce the risk of injury and fatigue when performing physically demanding tasks such as lifting and lowering heavy loads.

[Read more…] about LG Electronics to show latest wearable robots at CES 2019

Roam Robotics secures $12 million investment led by Yamaha Motor

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Roam Robotics, a company building robotic exoskeletons for everyday people as they live, work and play, has completed a $12 million Series A round of funding.

Yamaha Motor led the investment round with participation from existing and new investors Boost VC, Heuristics Capital Partners, Menlo Ventures, R7 Partners, Spero Ventures, Valor Equity Partners, and Venture Investment Associates. Collectively these investors bring a wealth of experience in robotics, hardware, and consumer startups.

Tim Swift, Roam founder and chief executive officer, says: “Roam exists to change the boundaries of human mobility.  [Read more…] about Roam Robotics secures $12 million investment led by Yamaha Motor

Sarcos Robotics says it has overcome ‘major obstacle’ to commercial deployment of its exoskeletons

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Sarcos Robotics says it has overcome a “major obstacle” to the commercial deployment of its exoskeletons.

Sarcos says a number of significant technology advancements for its highly anticipated Guardianä XO Max full-body, powered industrial exoskeleton robotic system.

The company, which plans to start shipping the Guardian XO Max to customers in early 2020, has completed the assembly of the world’s first all-electric, battery-powered, full-body industrial exoskeleton capable of enabling a human operator to safely lift and manipulate up to 200 pounds for extended work sessions.  [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics says it has overcome ‘major obstacle’ to commercial deployment of its exoskeletons

Fast-growing exoskeleton market set to exceed $5 billion in annual revenue, says report

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The fast-growing exoskeleton market is forecast to exceed $5 billion in annual revenue over the next 10 years, according to consultants at ABI Research.

Across a range of applications, exoskeletons are increasingly being introduced to augment human capability; for assistive purposes in the workplace, and for enabling and rehabilitative purposes for the healthcare market.

Though a technology that has been talked about since the Sixties, exoskeletons are only now beginning to demonstrate their practical value. As of 2018, global shipments stand at 7 thousand units with a global hardware revenue of $192 million.  [Read more…] about Fast-growing exoskeleton market set to exceed $5 billion in annual revenue, says report

Space scientists are building ‘robotoids’ because ‘humans never went to the moon’, says researcher

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Space scientists are developing humanoid robots that they can send to the moon and other celestial bodies because human beings are biologically incapable of leaving Earth’s protective layers without dying, according to an alternative historian.

Michael Tsarion, who is a well-known conspiracy buff and has a massive following, shares an opinion that, in fact, is held by many millions of people around the world.

That view is that the Apollo moon landing in 1969, led by Neil Armstrong, was a hoax and the filming for it was done by Stanley Kubrick, the famous director who made classic sci-fi films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey.  [Read more…] about Space scientists are building ‘robotoids’ because ‘humans never went to the moon’, says researcher

Leading humanoid roboticist unveils new android

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One of the world’s leading humanoid roboticist has unveiled a new android which is modeled on a 10-year-old boy, although no-one specific. (See video below.) 

Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, director of the Intelligent Robotics Laboratory, Wakayama University, Japan, has previously made a robot called Geminoid that looked exactly like himself and another modeled on a young woman, which he called Erica.

The new robot, called Ibuki, and the IEEE has given us all permission to panic over it.

While some would say it’s a technical achievement, others would say it’s downright creepy.

Ibuki gets around on wheels but “can fake walking”, meaning it looks like it’s walking if you view the top half.

humanoid robot ishiguro
Professor Ishiguro (right) with his Geminoid robot (left)

What its application might be is uncertain, but this is more of a research robot rather than a commercial one.

But according to a story on TechWorld.com, Professor Ishiguro “wants a humanoid future” when humans and androids live together.

“The more human we make robots, the more we will accept them in our daily lives,” he said.

 

Artificial intelligence versus natural stupidity: What will save us when the robots take over?

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Neural nirvana. Or ignorance is bliss. An opinion piece.

Theoretically speaking, computers can be programmed to mimic everything that a human says or does – or thinks. That might not be the reality now, but most people would probably accept that it’s only a matter of time before we see a fully-functioning humanoid robot, cyborg or android that is indistinguishable from the average human.

But even when they are able to copy us in every way, walking like us, talking like us, and so on, can they, in theory, become conscious?

One problem with answering that question properly is that not everyone agrees on the definition of consciousness.  [Read more…] about Artificial intelligence versus natural stupidity: What will save us when the robots take over?