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terrain

Stratom launches platform to enable faster development of autonomous systems in complex terrain environments

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Stratom, a developer of autonomous ground vehicles and robotic systems for logistics and operational applications, has launched its Summit Off-Road Autonomy Platform, which it describes as “a highly configurable modular software system that can be easily customized for various unmanned vehicles, applications, operations and environmental conditions”.

Leveraging Stratom’s proven off-road and complex terrain capabilities, Summit delivers flexible, tailored and cost-saving autonomy solutions for a variety of industries and applications in challenging or dangerous environments. [Read more…] about Stratom launches platform to enable faster development of autonomous systems in complex terrain environments

Austrian start-up Sodex automates essential construction processes

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Sodex Innovations has released a range of new technologies to automate the construction industry.

The company says that, through this system, the surveying, documentation and billing of each excavation will be largely automated.

Effort, time and costs are to be minimized for construction companies in the area of administration. And this with an assistance system mounted directly on the excavator. [Read more…] about Austrian start-up Sodex automates essential construction processes

Motion capture is guiding the next generation of extraterrestrial robots

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“How do we build robots that can optimally explore space?” is the core question behind Dr Frances Zhu’s research at the University of Hawai’i. One part of the answer is, “with motion capture”.

“It is my hope that my research contributes to the way extraterrestrial robots move and make decisions on other planets,” explains Zhu (main image), an assistant researcher and deputy director at the University’s Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology.

That research is in its early stages, but NASA has seen the value in it and awarded Zhu an EPSCoR grant by the name “Autonomous Rover Operations for Planetary Surface Exploration using Machine Learning Algorithms”. [Read more…] about Motion capture is guiding the next generation of extraterrestrial robots

How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

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By Christoph Elhardt

ETH Zurich researchers led by Marco Hutter have developed a new control approach that enables a legged robot, called ANYmal, to move quickly and robustly over difficult terrain.

Thanks to machine learning, the robot can combine its visual perception of the environment with its sense of touch for the first time.

Steep sections on slippery ground, high steps, scree and forest trails full of roots: the path up the 1,098-​metre-high Mount Etzel at the southern end of Lake Zurich is peppered with numerous obstacles. [Read more…] about How robots learn to hike: ETH researchers look to improve four-legged ANYmal’s mobility

Hyundai unveils new ‘Ultimate’ autonomous vehicle concept

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Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled what it describes as the “Ultimate” autonomous vehicle concept, with the word “ultimate” used part of the category name the company has created. (See video below.)

The TIGER – which stands for Transforming Intelligent Ground Excursion Robot – is the company’s second “Ultimate Mobility Vehicle”, or UMV, and the first designed to be uncrewed.

The “transforming” intelligent ground excursion robot is designed to carry various types of payload while traveling over challenging terrain, says Hyundai. [Read more…] about Hyundai unveils new ‘Ultimate’ autonomous vehicle concept

Sarcos Robotics chooses MFE Rentals as resale partner for its snake-like robot

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Sarcos Robotics and MFE Rentals have agreed a partnership giving MFE Rentals customers premier access to the snake-like Guardian S robotic crawler system (main picture).

The Guardian S is a compact, multi-purpose remote visual inspection tool designed to traverse challenging terrain while maintaining real-time two-way video, voice and data communication.

Sarcos says the Guardian S robot, created and built in the United States, is designed to navigate unstructured and unpredictable environments that previously no other crawler had the capabilities to access. [Read more…] about Sarcos Robotics chooses MFE Rentals as resale partner for its snake-like robot

Hyundai walking car concept for the ‘first responder’ industry

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Any first responder will tell you that the first 72 hours following a natural disaster are the most crucial to saving lives.

However, often times due to the nature of the disaster (forest fire, earthquake, hurricane, or flood), it can be difficult for search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid missions to reach and get immediate help to those in need.

The need for efficient, rapid, resilient transportation for disaster assistance is what led Hyundai to develop the first-ever vehicle with moveable legs.

[Read more…] about Hyundai walking car concept for the ‘first responder’ industry