Category Archives: Robotics

MANCHESTER, N.H.

More students than ever are taking part in the FIRST Robotics Competition in Manchester, which has become the only district in the country to get all of its schools involved.

And now, the Manchester Police Athletic League is becoming the first police department in the country to add FIRST Robotics to its list of activities for children.

"This is our robot, and this is our first year doing it, and it's a lot of fun," said Parkside Middle School student Helena Jackson, as her team's robot maneuvered through a course. "I think it's fun because we get to be together."

The students on the Parkside team said they are new to the robotics craze. They spent about two months and a lot of hard work on their robot to be a part of the first-ever MPAL robotics event Wednesday.

The event started as a challenge from New Hampshire inventor and engineer Dean Kamen to have police add the competition to their athletic leagues.

"The officers love it. The kids love it," said Kamen, who created the competition. "I think it'll help create a more unified community."

Mayor Ted Gatsas and Police Chief Nick Willard answered the challenge.

"We're honored to be part of the program, and we're really delighted that Dean Kamen chose us," Willard said.

"We were the first school district to give students credit in the FIRST work that they were doing, so it's been pretty exciting," Gatsas said.

Alongside the boxing, wrestling and cooking classes at MPAL, future inventors also have a place to interact with police. Those involved are calling it a win-win, with more exposure for the police to get to know the community and more activities for children who are interested in technology.

"If they want to go into engineering, they'll have more experience," Jackson said.

WEBVTT ICS TO THE LIST OF ACTIVITIES FOR KID. WMUR'S CHERISE LECLERC HAS THIS.>> TWO, ONE, GO.>> PUSHING BUTTONS, MANEUVERING THROUGH THE COURSE. STUDENTS IN MANCHESTER AND OTHERS ARE TRYING THEIR HAND AT A GROWING TREND, FIRST ROBOTICS.>> THIS IS A ROBOT AND IT'S A LOT OF FUN AND I THINK IT'S REALLY FUN BECAUSE WE GET TO BE TOGETHER.>> STUDENTS LIKE HELENA AND THEY'RE KNEW TO THE ROBOTICS CRAZE, SPENDING ABOUT TWO MONTHSAND A LOT OF HARD WORK ON THE ROBOT TO BE A PART OF THE FIRST EVER MANCHESTER POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE ROBOTIC EVENT. IT STARTED AS A CHALLENGE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE AND ENGINEER DEAN CAYMAN TO HAVE THIS KIND OF EVENT.>> THE OFFICERS LOVE IT. THE KIDS LOVE IT. I THINK IT WILL HELP CREATE A MORE UNIFIED COMMUNITY.>> THEY ANSWERED THE CHALLENGE.>> WE'RE HONORED TO BE A PART OFTHE PROGRAM AND DELIGHTED THAT WE WERE CHOSEN.>> WE WERE THE FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT TO GIVE STUDENTS CREDITIN THE FIRST WORK THAT THEY WEREDOING. SO, IT'S BEEN PRETTY EXCITING.>> NOW ALONGSIDE THE BOXING, WRESTLING AND COOKING CLASSES HERE, THE FUTURE INVENTORS HAVE A PLACE TO INTERACT WITH POLICE,TOO. THOSE INVOLVED ARE CALLING IT A WIN-WIN, MORE EXPOSURE FOR THE POLICE TO GET IT KNOW THE COMMUNITY AND MORE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN TECH.

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Manchester police partner with FIRST Robotics competition - WMUR Manchester

Aledo robotics has record year Fort Worth Star Telegram This includes the robotics program, which has enjoyed its best year yet in FIRST Tech Challenges. FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Recently, they competed in the University Interscholastic League's (UIL) FIRST ...

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Aledo robotics has record year - Fort Worth Star Telegram

Have a robotic startup or project? We want you on stage at TechCrunch Sessions: Robotics this July 17 at MIT. Were looking for students to demo and early stage startupsto pitch. If selected, both will get free tickets and exhibit space at the event. Use this form to apply.

This opportunity will put participants in front of the companies, founders and engineers driving the robotics field forward. Pitch-off participants will get several minutes to make their case in a competition for a chance to exhibit their creation at Disrupt SF. Selected participants will reveal their company to the audience and a group of expert judges who will ultimately pick a winner.

Students should apply for the demo slots, which feature more time on the main stage to tell their story. High school students to grad students should apply. Were looking for projects that can shift the industry. Please note, you must have a working robotic demo for this opportunity.

Over the last few weeks, TechCrunch has met with countless robotics companies in Boston, Pittsburgh and elsewhere.This event is going to be epic. The lineup of speakers and companies participating is amazing and theres still an opportunity to get involved. Drop us a line with speaker and topic suggestions.

Our aim is to bring together the key players in robotics. That includes the investors and founders focused on building the next iRobot, Kiva and Intuitive Surgical. Well stir into that mix the technologists, researchers and engineering students working on the latest stuff, like soft robotics, collaborative robotics, undersea and airborne robotics and that welcoming, all-purpose robot you always wanted to meet you at the door with a cold beer.

Tickets for the event are currently available. Seating is very limited so dont wait. Grab them while you can.

We are also happy to announce that MITs Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) is a key sponsor. The event is absolutely global, but there is no better place to stage the gathering than Boston.

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We're looking for robotics companies to pitch and demo at TechCrunch Sessions Robotics - TechCrunch

Every six months, an enormous posse of top robotics researchers from around the world converge on some moderately exotic location to impress each other with their latest research. Right now, were at the 2017 edition of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), which is taking place as you read this in Singapore. As always, were going to do our best to read every single paper and attend every single technical session, even though there are 11 tracks all happening at the same time along with workshops, forums, and an expo.

You can expect to see posts this week about whats most novel and interesting from the conference, but (again, as always) theres way too much cool stuff to cram into just one week: Well continue to post ICRA-related content for the next few weeks, even as we get back to our regular robotics news.

And if youre at ICRA, come say hi! Ill be the harassed-looking dude with a big camera frantically running between sessions. Also, on Tuesday, IEEE is co-hosting the official TurtleBot 3 launch party with Intel and ROBOTIS. Its across the bay at Baliza nightclub, and you should come: Well be talking on stage with TurtleBot celebrities, and there will be prizes and food (register soon, theres a limited number of tickets!). More info here.

IEEE Spectrums award-winning robotics blog, featuring news, articles, and videos on robots, humanoids, drones, automation, artificial intelligence, and more. Contact us:e.guizzo@ieee.org

Sign up for the Automaton newsletter and get biweekly updates about robotics, automation, and AI, all delivered directly to your inbox.

The newest version of the iconic ROS platform is designed to fit into your backpack 12Oct2016

We take an in-depth look at the new TurtleBot 3 Burger and Waffle from Robotis 2May

ROS is rapidly growing into a strong worldwide community 9Jan

Melonee Wise and Tully Foote talk to us about TurtleBot's past, present, and future 26Mar2013

These origami-inspired robotic structures are complex, soft, and easy to make 30May

Cybersecurity firm describes how malevolent hackers might compromise various kinds of industrial robots 16May

Engineers at NYU have built an AR app to operate robots in the real world 22Apr

Teleoperating complex robots is really hard, and Georgia Tech is working to fix that 16Mar

Understanding when they don't understand will help make robots more useful 15Mar

Your weekly selection of awesome robot videos 17Feb

Rodney Brookss startup Rethink Robotics is releasing software to make its robot Sawyer more versatile and easier to program 7Feb

An AI named Libratus has beaten human pro players in no-limit Texas Hold'em for the first time 31Jan

Neurala wants to build powerful AI systems that run on smartphone chips to power robots, drones, and self-driving cars 17Jan

Many of the social robots introduced at CES look similar. Are they all copying Jibo? 6Jan

Exclusive photos take you through the first mission of Stanford's diving robot 21Dec2016

A swarm of roboboats shows it can cooperate as a team on a harbor defense mission 19Dec2016

A programmable chip turns a robots long pauses into quick action 19Dec2016

Your weekly selection of awesome robot videos 11Nov2016

Your weekly selection of awesome robot videos 21Oct2016

My TurtleBot doesn't do anything useful at all, but it deserves an upgrade 7Oct2016

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All the Latest, Most Exciting Robotics Research from ICRA 2017 - IEEE Spectrum

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Gateway High School robotics students take 2nd place at event - Tribune-Review

ATI Industrial Automation Posted 05/30/2017

ATI Industrial Automation will hold its Annual Technology Fair on August 10, 2017 at its Orion Township, Michigan facility. The one-day educational event will focus on Applications Advancing Automation, providing attendees the opportunity to learn more about ATIs products and hear from the industry-leading experts that use them every day. The event will feature educational seminars hosted by ATIs distinguished customers, as well as live robotic demonstrations of ATIs Tool Changers, Multi-Axis Force/Torque Sensors, Robotic Collision Sensors and Robotic Deburring Tools.

Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss their specific automation challenges and possible solutions with ATI account managers, engineers and personnel from automation partner companies who will also be on hand.

ATIs passion is helping to solve unique automation challenges and elevate processes. The Technology Fair is designed to benefit both those considering an initial foray into robotic automation, as well as those looking to upgrade or enhance their existing robotic lines.

ATIs Michigan facility is located at 4577 South Lapeer Road, Suite I, Orion Township 48359.

For additional information and registration visit our website or call 248-276-0502. Lunch will be served; special guests and a detailed schedule will be announced soon. The event will run from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

(#ATITechFair17)

AMT Xpo 2017 to be held the same day, right down the street AMT Xpo, which is located just down the street from ATI at 219 Kay Industrial Drive, will also be held August 10. Attendees will learn how AMT helps customers drive automation forward by embracing emerging technologies. Learn about IoT, Collaborative Robotics, Advanced Engineering Solutions, and AMTs commitment to continuous learning with their onsite Automation Academy Lab and their internal Technical Council. Shuttle service will be provided between the events.

For More information and registration please visit us online.

About ATI Automation ATI Industrial Automation is the worlds leading engineering-based developer of robotic accessories and robot arm tooling including Robotic Tool Changers, Multi-Axis Force/Torque Sensing Systems, Utility Couplers, Manual Tool Changers, Robotic Deburring Tools, Robotic Collision Sensors and Compliance Devices. Their robotic end-effector products are found in thousands of applications around the world. Manufactured entirely in the USA, ATI products enable customers to achieve a high level of flexibility in robotic automation. Their flagship product is the Robotic Tool Changer, a robotic wrist coupling that locks and unlocks automatically, allowing a single robot to perform many different tasks. ATI products can be found at some of the worlds most renowned corporations and organizations including NASA, Ford, Honda and Johns Hopkins University.

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ATI Industrial Automation's 2017 Technology Fair set for August 10th in Orion Township, MI - Robotics Online (press release)

WARREN The Warren G. Harding High School Delphi ELITE For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Team 48 was the tri-state champion this past weekend at the WOW District Championship robotics competition at Otterbein University in Columbus.

Frank Bosak, a team advisor for the past 12 years, said Monday the Warren team, along with those from Champion, Girard and Austintown, traveled Saturday to the off-season competition with top teams from the regular season from Ohio, West Virginia and western and central Pennsylvania participating.

We were the overall winners from 35 teams who competed. Everyone was excited we were the top winner at the event. The team felt going into the competition we were in a good place, he said.

The WOW Alliance consists of FIRST Robotics teams from the tri-state area. Bosak said the top 10 teams from each state competed.

Harding had three wins, one loss and one tie. With that score, the team was chosen to join the first alliance alongside teams Stellar Robotics from Mansfield and Digital Fusion from Columbus.

After a long day and hard fought finals, we are on our way home having won the event, Bosak said.

Harding, which had 14 students attend including a few seniors who graduated last Thursday, received a banner and trophy for being the top winner.

Mark McCall, an advisor to the Champion High School Lightning Bots, said Champion teamed up with Austintown Fitch Falco Tech in the semifinal rounds where the team was eliminated. Champion finished in 19th place.

Austintown placed fourth in its matches.

McCall said Girard also made it to semifinals before being eliminated.

The teams competed this past season in regional events around the country. Based on this seasons results, teams qualified for an invitation to participate in the WOW District Championship.

Harding had a successful regular robotics season winning honors at regional events and advancing in April to world championships in St. Louis, where Girard FIRST Robotics Robocats also competed.

At the national championships, Harding ended the competition in 34th place out of 68 teams in its division. Girard did not make it to the final rounds, but finished 29th out of 67 teams.

Harding formed a robotics team in 1998, and Bosak said it has been to the world championships every year except two.

The team qualified for the worlds during two regional events in March. One was the Miami Valley Regional in Springfield and the other the Smoky Mountain Regionals at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.

Girard marked its eighth time traveling to the world championships.

The Robocats qualified this year after receiving honors at the Buckeye Regional event.

For FIRST Robotics, each team is required to build a robot in six weeks to play a new game every year.

FIRST was founded in 1989 by inventor Dean Kamen to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people and to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

WARREN Unionized city firefighters approved a fact-finders report that recommends they each receive two ...

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Harding robotics team wins tri-state title - Warren Tribune Chronicle

A local Shoreview FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team, Height Differential, won the world championship in St. Louis last month.

Height Differential competed with 128 teams from all over the world. There were 30,000 attendees at the championship. Team Height Differentialended in a very dramaticfinish as 1st placeCaptainof the winning allianceand they were also nominated as one of four finalists for the Inspire award. The Inspire award is the top award givento teams in theFTCrobotics program.

The teamhad previously won the Minnesota State FTC Championship in February and were recognized with several awards including the 1st place Inspire award.

Grant Altenhofen, Akash DSousa, John Helgeson and Nick Riedel make up this small Shoreview neighborhood team and aresophomores and juniors at Mounds View High School.

The team will go on to compete at the Festival of Champions in Manchester New Hampshire in July to join the topeight FTC teams in the world. While there they will compete for one last time this season, tour the FIRST national headquarters andthe DEKA Research and Development Corporation and have dinner with Dean Kamen, the founder of FIRST and DEKA.

The FIRSTTech Challengerobotics program had about 5,500 teams competing this year from more than 40 countries around the world and Minnesota had 169 teams this year, many of which are located in the Shoreview area and Mounds View School District.

The team is currently working with other local teams and Mounds View High Schoolto addFIRSTTech Challenge to its existingFIRSTFRC program as a recognized student activityconsistent in the District withIrondale High School which already has both robotics programs. The team currently receives no supportfrom the school district.

The team thanks its local sponsors ASTER Labs, Inc. of Shoreview, Gooch Gooch Creative LLC of Shoreview, Machining Technologyof Fridley, SEH of Vadnais Heights,and Gopher Electronics of Little Canada.

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Robotics team wins world championship - White Bear Press

By the end of the year, all Singaporeans can use a new app to call for a nurse and order home care supplies, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced on Tuesday (May 30).

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SINGAPORE: By the end of the year, all Singaporeans can use a new app to call for a nurse and order home care supplies, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong announced on Tuesday (May 30).

The application, called Health MarketPlace, was one of several technology-driven initiatives mentioned by Mr Gan in his speech at the annual National Health IT Summit held at the Singapore Expo on Tuesday.

Now in itspilot phase, Health MarketPlace will be scaled up by the end of the year. Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and KK Womens and Childrens Hospital (KKH) are among the healthcare providers currently participating in the pilot.

The hospitals told Channel NewsAsia the app currently matches a nurse to a patient according to location. For example, a nurse can head to a patients house to do a wound dressing or change his or her urinary catheter on her way to and from work. The nurse then keys in her observations in the app, so other nurses who care for this patient are aware of the person's condition.

About 140 nurses from SGH and KKH are on the programme and have completed close to 75 patient visits since April 2016, the hospitals said.

The Health Marketplace is just one of the many projects the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be ramping up under its Health IT Master Plan.

With funding support from the National Robotics Programme, the Health Ministry will support the trial use of robotics in healthcare, Mr Gan said.

We intend to develop prototypes of smart wards integrated with smart logistics for what we hope will be hospitals of the future. In line with the shift beyond hospitals to the community, we will also look into robotics-assisted home care.

NEW PLATFORM TO MONITOR VITAL SIGNS REMOTELY

The minister said in his speech that another area the authorities are looking into is enabling more productive telehealth service delivery models.

In addition to the recently rolled-out national platforms for video consultation and tele-rehab solutions, a vital signs monitoring platform will also be launched later this year. This will allow the remote monitoring of patients'vital signs such as blood pressure, blood glucose or weight of patients with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart or pulmonary diseases.

Patients can, in turn, receive more timely advice and intervention to manage their conditions without having to schedule an appointment to visit the hospital, according to the Health Minister.

"As a whole, the use of the vital signs monitoring platform can enable more regular monitoring, improve patient management and reduce hospital visits and re-admissions," he said.

In his speech, Mr Gan also renewed calls for private healthcare providers to digitalise their records to join the National Electronic Health Record (NEHR). At present, more than 760,000 patient record searches are made monthly, he said, adding that there was a need "to go further and faster".

"There is immense potential in harnessing health data for research, more effective policy and programme development, better-targeted care interventions and treatments, more productive practices and expanded outreach," he said.

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MOH to ramp up use of apps, robotics to improve home care: Health ... - Channel NewsAsia

Late last year, Snap acquired LA-based drone company Ctrl Me Robotics, according to Buzzfeed. Recent reports indicate that the maker of Snapchat and Spectacles intends to develop a drone of its own as it looks to push beyond developing apps and into hardware.

Snap reportedly acquired Ctrl Me Robotics for less than a million dollars last last year, in a deal that included some of the companys equipment and assets, as well as its founder, Simon Nielsen. Ctrl Me Robotics described itself as a company that built and developed custom drones, with a particular focus on drones that carried cameras for local film studios, according to a 2014 video released by the company. According to Buzzfeed, its not clear if Ctrl Me Robotics reached the point where it was developing drones of its own.

Snap has been eyeing the drone market and looked into acquiring now-defunct Lily Robotics, as well as other camera-related businesses last year. This acquisition could help give Snap some expertise when it comes to developing its own equipment.

Last September, Snapchat announced that it was moving into hardware and rebranding itself as a camera company called Snap. Its not clear if the pivot will be enough to save the company, however. Snap Inc. went public in March with a $30 billion IPO, but its revealed in its first earnings reports that its growth as slowed and that its a long way from profitability, and that of the $150 million it earned in its first quarter this year, just $8 million came from its camera-equipped glasses, Spectacles.

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Snap recently acquired Ctrl Me Robotics, an LA-based drone company - The Verge