mechatronics, industry 4.0

Boston Dynamics robots said a dancing goodbye to 2020

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Robots shared their joy for leaving behind the tough 2020 and danced skilfully.

mechatronics, industry 4.0

In 2020 Boston Dynamics robots helped doctors treat COVID-19 patients, reminded people to stay safe, and even supervised construction works. Saying goodbye to a difficult year, the company’s robots danced at the headquarters of the company, in a three-minute video to the sound of the 1962 hit “Do You Love Me?“.

The video on the Boston Dynamics YouTube channel already has over 25 million views and more than 141,000 comments. In this video, the dancing skills are highlighted which imply precision, agility, synchronization, maneuvers, smooth movements.

“Our entire team came together to celebrate the start of what we hope will be a better year: Happy New Year to all of us at Boston Dynamics,” the company wrote in its YouTube video.

“Changing your mind about what robots can do” is the slogan of the American robot design company founded in 1992. Its mission is to “create the most advanced robots on Earth, with remarkable mobility, agility, dexterity and speed”.

Source: http://bit.ly/3bFnerU

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mechatronics, indystry 4.0, robotics, supermarket

More supermarket tasks to be undertaken by robots

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mechatronics, indystry 4.0, robotics, supermarket

The task of quickly and efficiently packing a bag of groceries of different sizes and shapes without crushing anything is simple and intuitive for humans, albeit is still an in-progress ability for robots.  

It incorporates different skills, such as computer vision, flexibility and robustness of robotic arms and advanced artificial intelligence in order to possess the ability to determine the order and position of packaging the products. Such a matter is tackled by the company Ocado Technology in the warehouses that handle online orders. The company has a sophisticated warehouse in Erith in east London, which is already highly automated.

Hundreds of robots move quickly around a grid, collecting groceries and bringing them to a member of staff who will pack them into boxes, which are then loaded on to trucks for delivery.

Ocado is paying $262m (£198m) for Kindred Systems, a San Francisco-based firm that makes robotic sorting systems that is used in sorting clothes. In addition, it is buying Las Vegas-based Haddington Dynamics for $25m (£19m) which makes lighter-weight, and highly sensitive robotic arms.

James Matthews, the chief executive of Ocado Technology, believes that this technology can be adapted and developed for the grocery sector. “The two systems, we now intend to bring together. It will have some of our machine learning models that is very specific to grocery problems, and it will have some aspects of the Kindred platform that they’ve gone much deeper on.” To explain, Kindred is more advanced on tele-operation, or supervised autonomy, which is where humans monitor and control multiple robots remotely.

Thus, over the next year Ocado will be training the artificial intelligence used by Kindred, on grocery products. The company hopes to have a robot that can replace human pickers within two or three years, but people will not be completely replaced.

“I think we are going to see an acceleration of the deployment of automation in the next three to five years. And so that’s going to take a big bite out of those manual tasks. But I suspect in 10 years, there’s still going to be a sizable portion of activities that are human led,” says Mr Matthews.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54902518

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mechatronics, industry 4.0

An invention for the less privileged people

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mechatronics, industry 4.0

A wind turbine that produces both electricity and drinking water is an invention that could ameliorate the daily life of less privileged communities.

Although the goods of electricity and drinking water are taken for granted in the western world, this is not the case for billions of people around the world who continue to lack access to pure drinking water, sanitation, and electricity.  

Many people in India are facing such problems. An indigenous young inventor named Madhu Vajrakarur has come up with a simple but innovative solution. He has developed a wind turbine that produces electricity and clean drinking water from the moisture in the air. The two-in-one wind turbine produces an average of 30KW power and 80-100 litres of water per day. This means it can meet the electricity demands of about 25 households.

The 15-foot-tall wind turbine gathers moisture from the atmosphere. This is directed through a copper pipe, like the ones used in refrigerators, and finally reaches a three-stage filter. To elaborate, there is a vent in the centre of the fan attached to the wind turbine, through which air is taken in. The air is then cooled with the help of the cooling compressor. In this way, the water vapor present in the moist air is converted into water, which is sent through copper pipes down to storage tanks for filtration and purification.

The technology could be especially useful in coastal areas or for small businesses.

For one more time, the motto “necessity is the mother of invention” is validated…

 

Sources:

https://www.inceptivemind.com/madhu-vajrakarur-wind-turbine-produces-both-electricity-drinking-water/16290/

https://www.thebetterindia.com/243765/andhra-pradesh-engineer-innovation-wind-turbine-generates-electricity-drinking-water-ros174/

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ai, industry 4.0

New era’s car radar systems spot hazards around corners

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ai, industry 4.0

Radars equipped with state-of-the-art sensors contribute to the direction of manufacturing safer autonomous cars.

The concept of possessing self-driving vehicles is not far away. One of the major issues to be taken into account is that of safety. No compromises should be made regarding this crucial and sensitive matter. Until now, the research and manufacturing community has developed a variety of sensor systems that allow cars to detect other objects on the road. Most of them make use of visible or near-infrared light. Such sensors that are preventing collisions are now common in modern cars.

However, optical sensing seems not to be practical or effective in spotting items out of the car’s line of sight. They need to utilize high-powered lasers to, set aside the fact that they are restricted to short ranges.

Researchers from Princeton University combined artificial intelligence and radars to develop a new radar system that can be easily integrated into today’s vehicles. Its operating principle is based on the Doppler effect. More specifically, a Doppler radar is used to bounce radio waves off surfaces such as buildings and parked automobiles. Mounted in front of the vehicle, they emit a radar signal that hits the surface at an angle, so its reflection rebounds off like a cue ball hitting the wall of a pool table.

The signal goes on to strike objects hidden around the corner. Some of the radar signals bounce back to detectors mounted on the car, allowing the system to see objects around the corner and determine the speed of the object and the direction of movement. In real-world applications, a driver or autonomous driving system will be alerted to potential hazards.

To allow the system to distinguish objects, the team processed part of the radar signal that standard radars consider background noise rather than useful information. The team applied artificial intelligence techniques to refine the processing and read the images. The computer running the system had to learn to recognize cyclists and pedestrians from a very sparse amount of data.The system currently detects pedestrians and cyclists because the engineers felt those were the most challenging objects due to their small size and varied shape and motion. The system could be adjusted to detect vehicles as well.

“In terms of integration and bringing it to market, it requires a lot of engineering. But the technology is there, so there is the potential for seeing this very soon in vehicles”, said Felix Heide, an assistant professor of computer science at Princeton University. 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.techbriefs.com/component/content/article/tb/pub/techbriefs/imaging/37985

https://www.princeton.edu/news/2020/06/25/new-radar-allows-cars-spot-hazards-around-corners

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mechatronics

Robotic surgery in gynaecology

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mechatronics

Robotic surgery is an important technological innovation in the field of medicine, which comes to evolve and go beyond laparoscopy.

It is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows the performance of complex operations, through incisions in the skin that are less than 1 cm. Robotic systems are used exclusively by highly specialized surgeons and allow complex abdominal surgeries to be performed with great safety.

Robotic surgery finds application in many medical specialties such as gynaecology, general surgery and urology. In particular, there are diseases in which robotic surgery is the only minimally invasive technique that can be applied and this fact proves the safety and effectiveness of these operations. In the case of gynaecological surgeries, robotic techniques are used to maintain and restore fertility but also for gynaecological cancer.

Robotic surgery: the modern laparoscopy

Robotic surgery retains all the advantages of traditional laparoscopy and in addition ensures minimal postoperative pain, very little blood loss and a lower rate of surgical complications. The vast majority of surgeries require 3 or 4 incisions of 8 mm and one night in the hospital. The patient returns home the next day from the surgery with the appropriate treatment.

The DaVinci robotic system was first approved by the FDA in 2005 and has since helped surgeons achieve better and safer surgical results. Robotic surgeries allow 3D vision, complete freedom of movement of surgical instruments, while reducing the surgeon’s physical fatigue and allow operations with very low intra-abdominal pressures, thus limiting the anaesthesia complications. What is more, robotic surgeries are the ideal method for patients with increased body weight, who until now could not be operated with traditional laparoscopy.

During the pandemic, the first concern is the health of patients and hospital staff. Robotic gynaecological surgeries continue to be performed after ensuring that all the international safety protocols are faithfully followed. 

The Society of European Robotic Gynaecological Surgery (SERGS) declared that “… a great advantage of using a robotic platform is the fact that in times of extreme shortage of hospital beds hospital stay can be minimized also for urgent patients that need (radical) complex procedures that might not or less be feasible with conventional laparoscopy. In conclusion, RAS may help in minimizing the risk for contamination of healthcare providers and to make optimal use of residual resources”.

The following table depicts a risk comparison of robot assisted, conventional laparoscopic and open surgery under COVID-19 circumstances.

mechatronics

Source:

https://www.iefimerida.gr/ygeia/ti-einai-rompotiki-heiroyrgiki-sti-gynaikologia

https://pc.ejgo.org/DOIx.php?id=10.3802/jgo.2020.31.e59

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mechatronics, scientist, stylios

Next generation scientist

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mechatronics, scientist, stylios

We can anticipate a better future if we entrust the potential, imagination and enthusiasm of youth. The American magazine “TIME” chose a teenage scientist and inventor as the “Kid of the Year”, who hopes to inspire others to come up with ideas for solving global problems.

15-year-old Gitanjali Rao, from Denver, Colorado, was selected by a team of 5,000 candidates in the United States. She has invented technologies including a device that can detect lead in the drinking water for which she was awarded, as well as an application that uses artificial intelligence to detect cyberbullying content.

In an interview with actress Angelina Jolie for TIME magazine, the 15-year-old said: I don’t look like your typical scientist. Everything I see on TV is that it’s an older, usually white man as a scientist”. She continued by stating “My goal has really shifted not only from creating my own devices to solve the world’s problems, but inspiring others to do the same as well. Because from personal experience, it’s not easy when you don’t see anyone else like you. So, I really want to put out that message: If I can do it, you can do it, and anyone can do it”.

The young scientist also referred to the problems, old and new, faced by her generation.  “We’re sitting here in the middle of a new global pandemic, and we’re also like still facing human-rights issues. There are problems that we did not create but that we now have to solve, like climate change and cyberbullying”.

There you go, kids! It’s your turn now. In youth we trust…

Sources:

https://www.ert.gr/eidiseis/diethni/to-periodiko-time-epilegei-to-paidi-tis-chronias/

https://time.com/5916772/kid-of-the-year-2020/

mechatronics, scientist, stylios
mechatronics, scientist, vet, kets

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mechatronics, delivery

Contactless delivery of groceries at home

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mechatronics, delivery

Lockdown and the subsequent movement restrictions have led many people to use online shopping more than ever before. Consumers have traditionally chosen e-commerce for buying electronics or clothes but now they seem to rely more and more on online shopping for being supplied with groceries.

Robots, autonomous vehicles to be precise, are here to assist in this everyday task. They are in charge of delivering the goods to households rendering fully contactless shopping a reality.

The beginning of such a venture was made in Milton Keynes, UK where eight Co-op stores have already used the autonomous vehicles in partnership with Starship Technologies. This initiative is now expanded and will now serve about 5,000 households in Northampton, UK with contactless deliveries. The people in charge of the supermarket have noticed a noteworthy increase on online ordering by people who have never used the web for buying groceries. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic demand for the service had tripled in Milton Keynes in recent months.

The robots will travel 5 km to customers’ homes to deliver the shopping.

The specifics of the robots can be concluded as follows:

  • They have the ability to travel along sidewalks and cross streets
  • They are equipped with 10 cameras, ultrasound sensors, radar, and GPS
  • They are able to see 360 degrees and have a “situational awareness bubble” around them to detect and avoid any obstacles.
  • They use sophisticated computer vision and software to identify objects such as cars, pedestrians, traffic lights and sidewalks.

For sure, 2020 was a year of drastic changes in ecommerce.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-55076342

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mechatronics, Telekinesis

Telekinesis, our childhood’s dream, becomes a reality

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Telekinesis, dream, mechatronics

It’s not an exaggeration to claim that everyone during his/her childhood has fantasized about having the ability to move objects with his/her mind. For the sake of truth, many movies and tv-series integrated the property of telekinesis in their scenarios and they ultimately met with great success. For instance, the blockbuster movie “Matrix”, the sweetie Matilda and more recently “Eleven” from the popular tv-series “Stranger Things”. Maybe such an exceptionality not only appeals to us due to its unnaturality, but also it may reflect our innermost desire to have superpowers.

In any case, such an ability came true! Japanese researchers developed a mind-controlled robot named Gundam. The team has also built a wearable headband device that syncs the brain activity with the software and eventually controls the robot’s movement. This device bears sensors that can detect three different levels of brain activity which actually triggers a specific movement of the robot. This research is still

Are we on the verge of acquiring supernatural powers and control objects around us? Future will answer…

mechatronics, Telekinesis

Watch video

Sources:

https://interestingengineering.com/japanese-scientists-create-mind-control-tech-for-gundam-robot

https://www.thepatent.news/2020/11/17/japanese-researchers-robot-control-mind/

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mechatronics, stylios, iot

Participation and speech at the 23rd Development Forum

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Professor Chrysostomos Stylios participates in the proceedings and events of the 23rd Development Forum which this year, due to travel restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, takes place virtually. The Development Forum is the most important Development Multiconference in the Western Axis of our country.

Specifically, Prof. Stylios was a speaker at the thematic unit of the conference entitled “LOOPER IKE – Digital Transformation – Applications, IOT and Automation”. His speech addressed the interesting issue of digital transformation, both globally and nationally. It was ascertained that the concept of digital transformation and digital integration goes through the embracing and assimilation of Industry 4.0. Continuing, Prof. Stylios presented the contribution in this direction of the European project NEW METRO in which he participates with his research team. This project is related to the development of modern vocational training programs in the field of Mechatronics.

He concluded that Mechatronics functions as one of the key players, exponents and actors in the direction of digital transformation and the 4th Industrial Revolution, therefore the contribution of the project for new, innovative educational models that meet the modern demands of the labor market is unequivocal.

Website: https://www.forumanaptixis.gr/

Video: Whole speech – Prof.  Chrysostomos Stylios

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mechatronics, drones

Drones in the environment’s service

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mechatronics, drones

Sensors for forest monitoring is not an innovation. They are already used to track changes in temperature, humidity and light, as well as the movements of animals and insects through their habitat. They also help to detect and monitor forest fires and can provide valuable data on how climate change and other human activities are impacting the natural world. However, placing these sensors can prove difficult in large, tall forests, and climbing trees to place them poses its own risks.

Imperial College researchers have developed drones that can attach sensors to trees to monitor environmental and ecological changes in forests. In fact, they shoot sensor-containing darts onto trees several meters away in cluttered environments like forests. The drones can also place sensors through contact or by perching on tree branches.

The researchers hope the drones will be used in the future to create networks of sensors to boost data on forest ecosystems, and to track hard-to-navigate ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. The drones are equipped with cameras to help identify suitable targets, and a smart material that changes shape when heated to launch the darts, which then stick to the trees.

The drones are not currently autonomous but controlled by people. Using control units, the researchers watch through the camera lens to select target trees and shoot the darts. The next step is to make the drones autonomous, so that researchers can test how they get by in denser forest environments without human guidance.

Source: https://bit.ly/2JplI0B

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