In addition to the assigned reading 'Robotics' from AccessScience, I also read an article 'Robots Designed to Save Lives of Construction Workers'. The article discusses the winning robots that were designed by a Virginia Tech robotics team for the 2008 International Capstone Design Fair. The robots were designed to be able to climb structures like bridge piers, building columns, and scaffolding to reach areas that are not easily accessible for people. The robots are about 3' long and cylindrical in shape. The Virginia Tech team created three prototypes that used two different types of mechanics for movement and are called HyDRAS-Ascent (Hyper-redundant Discrete Robotic Articulated Serpentine for climbing), the HyDRAS-Ascent II, and CIRCA (Climbing Inspection Robot with Compressed Air). The robots are rapped around the structure they are going to climb in a helical shape and twist their bodies to climb or decent in a twisting motion. The HyDRAS robots use electric motors and the CIRCA robot uses a compressed air muscle. These robots can be equipped with cameras and sensors that can be used in inspection of high rise or even underwater structures to minimize the risk of injury or death of workers.
In the assigned article reading it discusses the mobility of robots and it seem that most robots are built using the human body as a template. The robots in the assigned article tend to be articulated like human limbs and are mobile on legs like a human or an insect on multiple legs. The robots in the additional article move more like a snake in a rolling motion due to its cylindrical shape. These robots are more restricted in their mobility because they can only climb a structure that is small enough for them to wrap around and grip to. Although the article does not discuss the details of the design, the robots are most likely equipped with sensors discussed in the assigned article to be able to work. These prototype robots are also still attached to a computer with a number of wires so they are limited by the distance they can travel. I would like to see if these robots can be improved and altered enough that they may be able to be used in the field.
The use of machines to save lives isn't really a new concept, but I think the way they approached these robots is really interesting. You mentioned that the robots have sensors and cameras, but are they controlled by people on the ground with a little device or are they set out on their own with heat seeking sensors, and then rescue on their own? I guess a combination of both would be most likely. They send the robot out to a site, its sensors show heat in a certain area, and then the people control the robots movements to make the rescue. I wonder how long until the robots can do it on their own...
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