Robot on healthcare

Nowadays, healthcare and elder care is a big concern in Japan, whose population is aging more rapidly than their current human-centric infrastructure is prepared to cope with. Companies like Toyota are hoping that robots will be able to pick up a little bit of the slack, and this week they've introduced four new robotic systems designed to help keep people healthy and independent as long as possible.

The first couple system are designed to provide single-leg walking assistance to people who have balance issues, or even people suffering from complete paralysis in one leg. The robotic structure is capable of supporting the entirely of your weight on one leg, and it will swing your leg forward for you as you walk. If you can hold yourself up, the second system will provide you with visual feedback to help you get balance back and start walking on your own.

                                               Leslie Lin

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Source: http://mashable.com/2011/11/01/toyota-healthcare-robots/

Your household robot

This is CIROS, a household service robot from the Korean Institute of Science and Technology, and it's going to take that giant knife right there and use it to whip up a big fat cucumber salad for you while definitely not stabbing any human.

Most of people heard of the robot's features might be saying to themselves, "cucumbers and dressing? What kind of crummy salad is that!" After watching the video, you will know that whatever cucumber slicing and salad dressing algorithms this robot is employing have been painstakingly optimized on a supercomputer to result in the best tasting salad ever. Plus, it's made by robot.

According to a KIST official, CIROS is able to recognize common objects as well as kitchen appliances like microwaves, sinks, refrigerators, and dishwashers, and can move intelligently through its environment. eg. It can perform tasks like pouring tea and other drinks for people (without spilling anything), and can even do the dishes. 

Leslie Lin

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Source: http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsNum=3810

Robot Face

Few days before, I watched a old movie about robot - <I,robot>, which is an excellent movie for you enjoying in the world surrounding with A.I. robots. Though, there may be a situation that A.I. robot will take revenge on human and rule over us, as shown in the movie, it is undoubtedly to say that most teenagers, especially boys, had a dream of having a robot who can speak, talk and interact with them.

However, can you believe that you can now get an expressive robot face, yet not a whole robot, in an affordable, actually cheap, price? XYZbot would like to give the public a chance of having a robot by crowdfunding Fritz, an Arduino-powered robot head. Fritz is an “emotional” face on which you can control everything, like the eyes and jaw to the eyelids, eyebrows, lips and neck. Also, by adding putting some pre-programmed action, they can respond you like a human.

Besides, you don`t need to worry about the complex stuffs of programming and computing – because you simply don`t need. The control over Fritz is as simple as if you are playing with a 5-year-old child`s toy. What you need is creative and innovative, so as to make your unique robot!

Check out more in Fritz: Robotic Puppet main page

You will see more funny stuffs below.

Youtube: 

 Joseph Yeung

Reference: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/02/xyzbot-fritz-offers-cheaper-robotic-face-simulation/

A.I. on traffic light

Have you ever feel annoying when you are stuck at those stupid traffic lights? Have you ever think it would be better if you control them by yourself? Yes, I did! I think human can undoubtedly have a better control on regulating the traffic flow than a machine can do. Recently I saw news about AI technology is being tested to control traffic lights, and I think intelligent traffic light is no longer impossible any more!

Have you played traffic-flow controlling, with four traffic lights, games on your mobile devices? I did, and I got a really high score actually! However, surprisingly, people are born to be better at controlling traffic flow; even compared with computers! The research carried out by the University of Southampton team has used computer games and simulations to investigate what makes good traffic control. This work has shown that – given the right conditions – humans are excellent at controlling the traffic and can perform significantly better than the existing urban traffic control computers in use today.

Researchers at the University of Southampton are investigating the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for controlling traffic lights. Based on the human brain`s extraordinary capability of controlling traffic effectively, they are planning to develop a new kind of software which can improve the efficiency of traffic flow, and in turns improving road space utilization, reducing traveling times and may be improving fuel efficiency. For more details, check it out in source.

 Joseph Yeung

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/26/scientists-investigating-ai-based-traffic-control/