Describing rotation in 2D
In Robotics | No commentWe learn how to describe the orientation of an object by a 2×2 rotation matrix which has some special properties.
Robotics
Developing a real representation of pose in 2D
In Robotics | No commentThe pose of an object can be considered in two parts, the position of the object and the orientation of the object.
Relative pose in 2D
In Robotics | No commentWe consider multiple objects each with its own coordinate frame. Now we can describe the relationships between the frames and find a vector describing a point with respect to any of these frames. We extend our algebraic notation to ease the manipulation of relative poses.
Relative Positions in 2D
In Robotics | No commentWe introduce the idea of attaching a coordinate frame to an object. We can describe points on the object by constant vectors with respect to the object’s coordinate frame, and then relate those to the points described with respect to a world coordinate frame. We introduce a simple algebraic notation to describe this.
Position and Pose in 2D
In Robotics | No commentTo fully describe an object on the plane we need to not only describe its position, but also which direction it is pointing. This combination is referred to as pose.
2D Geometry Refresher
In Robotics | No commentWe revisit the fundamentals of geometry that you would have learned at school: Euclidean geometry, Cartesian or analytic geometry, coordinate frames, points and vectors.
Introduction to 2D Geometry
In Robotics | No commentWe learn how to describe the position and orientation of objects on a 2-dimensional plane. We introduce the notion of reference frames as a basis for describing the position of objects in two dimensions.
Summary of robots and why we need them
In Robotics | No commentThis video gives summary of robots and why we need them.
Why do we need robots?
In Robotics | No commentWithout doubt robots are cool, but why do we need them? Let’s discuss some of the things that robots can help people do.
Coming Soon- Robots that drive
In Robotics | No commentSelf-driving cars are in the news a lot lately. An alternative way to think of such cars is as robots that carry people.
Human-like Robots
In Robotics | No commentWe have a deep fascination with machines created in our own image. Let’s explore the world of humanoid robots.
Out and About with Robots
In Robotics | No commentIn this mini-documentary we look at a diverse range of real-world robots, discuss what they do and how they do it.
Robots Today
In Robotics | No commentRobots today are ubiquitous in manufacturing but they can do much, much more.
Robots in History
In Robotics | No commentHumans have long been fascinated by machines that mimic people and animals. These and several other technologies are the precursors of modern robots.
Robot in Fiction
In Robotics | No commentMuch of what we know about robots comes from fiction. Let’s look at fictional robots and the underlying reality.
Introduction to robotics
In Robotics | No commentWe introduce the topic of robotics, the recent history, why we need robots and the future of robots.
Playing Catch and Juggling with a Humanoid Robot
In Robotics | No commentRobots in entertainment environments typically do not allow for physical interaction and contact with people. However, catching and throwing back objects is one form of physical engagement that still maintains a safe distance between the robot and participants. Using an animatronic humanoid robot, we developed a test bed for a throwing and catching game scenario. We use an external camera system (ASUS Xtion PRO LIVE) to locate balls and a Kalman filter to predict ball destination and timing. The robot’s hand and joint-space are calibrated to the vision coordinate system using a least-squares technique, such that the hand can be…
Synthesizing Object Receiving Motions of Humanoid Robots with Human Motion Database
In Robotics | No commentThis project presents a method for synthesizing motions of a humanoid robot that receives an object from a human, with focus on a natural object passing scenario where the human initiates the passing motion by moving an object toward the robot, which continuously adapts its motion to the observed human motion in realtime. In this scenario, the robot not only has to recognize and adapt to the human action but also has to synthesize its motion quickly so that the human does not have to wait holding an object. We solve these issues by using a human motion database obtained…
PIXELBOTS – Interaction with mobile pixels
In Robotics | No commentInteraction with a swarm of mobile robot pixels. Gesture-based, real-time drawing and with a hand-held tablet. Collaborative project of Disney Research Zurich and the Autonomous Systems Lab, ETH Zurich. See “Human – Robot Swarm Interaction for Entertainment: From animation display to gesture based control” – Javier Alonso-Mora, Roland Siegwart and Paul Beardsley, Proc. of the 9th ACM / IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), 2014. MEDIA NOTES: Disney Research and ETH have created a new kind of display – the pixels are small colorful mobile robots which create cartoon-like images or animations. These are the ‘Pixelbots’….
Interactive Air-Powered Robot Arm
In Robotics | No commentWe have developed a new method for puppeteers to remotely control mechanical characters without the use of motors. The pair of robot arms shown in this video are connected only by flexible pneumatic tubing. There are no pumps, valves, sensors, motors, or electronic controllers used. The passive connection between the two arms is made entirely by air pressure, allowing a large separation between the character and the puppeteer, and tight bends in the air control lines. The key technology is an ultra-low friction pneumatic transmission, enabled by the use of rolling diaphragm seals, instead of traditional sliding o-ring seals. If…