Robotics & Automation News

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Nvidia and USC researchers demonstrate autonomous robotic cutting

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Nvidia and USC researchers have demonstrated an innovative approach to Autonomous Robotic Cutting in new work nominated for a Best Paper Award at the Robotics Science & Systems Conference  last month. (See video and images below.)

Robotic cutting of soft materials is critical for applications such as food processing, household automation, and surgical manipulation. As in other areas of robotics, simulators can facilitate controller verification, policy learning, and dataset generation. Moreover, differentiable simulators can enable gradient-based optimization, which is invaluable for calibrating simulation parameters and optimizing controllers.

In their work nominated for a Best Paper Award at RSS 2021, Nvidia researchers present DiSECt: the first differentiable simulator for cutting soft materials. The simulator augments the finite element method (FEM) with a continuous contact model based on signed distance fields (SDF), as well as a continuous damage model that inserts springs on opposite sides of the cutting plane and allows them to weaken until zero stiffness, enabling crack formation. [Read more…] about Nvidia and USC researchers demonstrate autonomous robotic cutting

Unity partners with Mando to develop advanced driver assistance system

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Unity, one of the best-known platforms for creating games, is partnering up with South Korean self-driving technology company Mando to develop front camera simulation technology for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Unity has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mando to develop an ADAS front camera simulator. This MoU will combine Mando’s expertise in technology with Unity for a joint effort to develop an ADAS front camera simulator.

This is South Korea’s first collaboration case between an automotive parts company and a game engine developer. [Read more…] about Unity partners with Mando to develop advanced driver assistance system

MIT CSAIL’s robo-starfish enables closer study of aquatic life

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Scientists have invented a ‘robo-starfish’ which give us more insights into aquatic life, as Adam Conner-Simons, or MIT CSAIL, reports. (See video below.)

Biologists have long experienced the challenges of documenting ocean life, with many species of fish proving quite sensitive to the underwater movements of humans.

As a possible solution, computer scientists have been developing special marine robots that can stealthily move among their carbon-based counterparts. In 2018, for example, a team from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) fabricated a soft robotic fish that autonomously swam with real fish along the coral reefs of Fiji.

However, the complex dynamics of how water moves – and its ability to quickly ruin some perfectly good electronics systems – have made underwater robots especially difficult to develop compared to ones for air or land. [Read more…] about MIT CSAIL’s robo-starfish enables closer study of aquatic life

AImotive ‘first’ to gain ISO certification for its automated driving simulator

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AImotive claims it has become the “first” company to gain ISO26262 certification for its automated driving simulator.

AImotive relies on first ISO26262 certified simulator to power CI/CD (continuous integration and delivery) of automated driving

The company says the certification is the “essential first step” towards creating certifiable toolchain for advanced driver assistance system or automated driving development. [Read more…] about AImotive ‘first’ to gain ISO certification for its automated driving simulator

Alstom to develop a driving simulator for Barcelona Metro

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Alstom is to develop an S9000 train driving simulator for lines 9 and 10 of the Barcelona Metro, currently the only driverless lines in operation in Spain.

The solution will consist of a training system that incorporates the latest simulation technologies for routes, conditions and obstacles.

The simulator will create realistic scenarios employing virtual reality technology commonly used by video games developers.

[Read more…] about Alstom to develop a driving simulator for Barcelona Metro

Nvidia unveils new reinforcement learning research at ICRA 2019

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Nvidia researchers from the newly opened robotics research lab in Seattle, Washington have presented a new proof of concept reinforcement learning approach that aims to enhance how robots trained in simulation will perform in the real world. (See video below.)

The work was presented at the recent International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) in Montreal, Canada.

The research is part of a growing trend in the deep learning and robotics community that relies on simulation for training. [Read more…] about Nvidia unveils new reinforcement learning research at ICRA 2019

John Deere introduces next generation of construction simulators

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John Deere is rolling out its new construction simulators – further bridging the gap between the classroom and jobsite.

The modular update outfits the new John Deere simulators to one of six machine types: backhoe, crawler dozer, excavator, wheel loader, joystick-controlled motor grader and fingertip control motor grader.

“The next generation of John Deere simulators builds on a state-of-the-art technology that teaches machine controls, hand-eye coordination, safe operation, and operator technique,” said Jon Goodney, manager learning technology, John Deere Construction & Forestry.

[Read more…] about John Deere introduces next generation of construction simulators

High-end vehicle simulation: Ansible Motion chooses Heason Technology as motion control partner

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Ansible Motion, a designer and manufacturer of advanced driver-in-the-loop simulators, has chosen Heason Technology as its motion control supplier.

Ansible’s heritage is closely associated with the motorsports industry, but nowadays also serving major road car and speciality vehicle manufacturers.

The company’s DIL solutions are available in a variety of form factors from test bench models with steering force feedback to highly dynamic 6 degrees of freedom simulators combining software, mechatronics, video and audio for a truly immersive multi-sensory experience.  [Read more…] about High-end vehicle simulation: Ansible Motion chooses Heason Technology as motion control partner

Ansible Motion developing defence against motion sickness for autonomous cars

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autonomous cars

With more people set to be reading or using screens in their autonomous cars, Ansible Motion’s simulation technology could highlight what features could prevent sickness from happening

When self-driving cars become the norm, we’re going to have much more spare time, as we’ll no longer be chained to the steering wheel with our eyes locked on the road ahead.

This is brilliant news as we’ll have more time to read, work and play driving games on our phones instead. But it could have one downside: Motion sickness.

Motion sickness is already a problem for many passengers – and when we all become passengers, it seems inevitable that it’ll get worse. In fact, experts are already predicting that between 6 per cent and 12 per cent of Americans can expect to get sick travelling in an autonomous vehicle.  [Read more…] about Ansible Motion developing defence against motion sickness for autonomous cars

The role of humans in the testing of autonomous cars

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autonomous car simulation

Ansible Motion develops driving simulators for autonomous car engineering, but with one important additional component — the human driver 

The interest in, and momentum assigned to, the introduction of autonomous cars may appear substantial to anyone catching articles in the media.

We can certainly find plenty of aspirational images of happy people reading books or watching films whilst travelling down the motorway.  Excellent.  But our lovely ‘digital living space’ will require substantial validation before we get down that road.

With hundreds of (computer) processors and sensors required to offer even simple driver assistance systems, signing off a fully autonomous car with any level of confidence is not going to be an easy assignment for vehicle manufacturers. And that sign off is going to need some human involvement. [Read more…] about The role of humans in the testing of autonomous cars