MOBILE, AL (WKRG) It may be summertime, but the Davidson High School Robotics Team is busy preparing for next years state competition. The team won state last year, and they have had many victories in regional competition in the past. The students know summer isnt a time of rest if they want to take the top spot again. The Robotics moderator, Mike Fletcher, equates summer time to spring practice for a sports team. His team has lay some groundwork now, to be successful in the fall. Fletcher says the Robotics program at Davidson has been helpful to many students for choosing a career. The reason we have that type of competition that recognizes math, science and engineering, is to get kids excited about that sort of thing in the same way they they might get excited about a soccer team, or football team or something else.

Senior, Justin Parker, says they have had a lot of interest in the robotics program from underclassmen who heard about the programs state win. The goal is to bring home a second year-in-a-row win. It really boosts morale for students who were somewhat interested, but didnt want to pay attention. Now they are saying, I want to be a part of something that won statewide.' They have had ten new students apply to be a part of the team for next year.

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What's Working: Davidson Robotics Team Using Summer to Prepare for State Competition - WKRG

JUNO BEACH

The 3-foot-tall robots with multicolored wires raced around the tile floor. They picked up neon yellow Wiffle Balls and shot them into a 10-foot-tall basket. They hung suspended from a rope while music pumped through the Florida Power & Light Co. cafeteria.

All while being controlled by the teenagers who built them.

Nearly three weeks after the last day of school, students from six high schools in Palm Beach, Martin and Broward counties put the specialized skills they learned during the school year on display for a crowd of FPL employees, and their children as part of FPLs effort to support creative educational programs.

Lillian Harrington, now a junior at William T. Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, said her one year on the schools Mega Awesome Robotic System team MARS, for short has given her a wealth of experience and the chance to meet all kinds of people.

Harrington does programming for the robotics team and said most people expect programmers to largely work alone. Its actually had the opposite effect on her time in high school.

Its a learning process, and when you actually go to competitions, you get to interact with a lot of different people, which is actually the most exciting part for me, she said. The process is really interesting, talking to other teams and seeing what they can do on the field, its really great for honing your analytical and people skills.

Maureen Wilt, senior education program manager for FPL, said the company has sponsored the robotics program for five years because its a way to blend students into STEM fields science, technology, engineering and math in an appealing way.

Young people like to do things that are engaging and fun, and this is an example of that, Wilt said. They could be doing a lot of things with their time, but instead of just being in a lab or doing experiments, being able to build a robot and meet kids from all over the world that participate in this is fun for the kids.

Wilt said FPL hires 240 paid college interns every summer, a large majority of which come through programs like the high school robotics showcase. She said she hopes the interns speak to the high school students and encourage them to follow in their footsteps.

I really want my employees to engage with these students, she said. Weve started to hire a number of young people who have come through the high school program and gone to college, and theyre now working here.

In addition to the tangible skills acquired in working on robots, Harrington said the teamwork aspect of robotics competition and how it teaches students to work with each other is just as valuable.

Going into college, it obviously gives you the skills you need to start off in robotics or if you want to go into an engineering field, she said. Im not looking at an engineering-type career, but even if youre not looking for engineering, the skills you learn here will help you in any job you take.

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High school students showcase robotics skills at FPL - Palm Beach Post

Beth Marcus of Amazon Robotics. (Photo courtesy of Beth Marcus)

After founding and leading several successful startups, Beth Marcus took a job with Amazon because it afforded a greater chance to have a huge impact fast. As a senior principal technologist at Amazon Robotics, Marcus is seeing her intentions realized in the form of innovation at the tech giants fulfillment centers.

Marcus holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, where she also served as a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering department, helping teach the senior mechanical engineering capstone project class. She received a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the Imperial College in London, where she was a Marshall Scholar and is currently serving as a mentor to the Enterprise Laboratory.

Shes also GeekWires latest Geek of the Week.

Her startup backgroundincluded a mobile device peripherals company, a childrens app technology company and, most notably, EXOS, Inc., creator of the SideWinder force-feedback joystick, which was venture backed and sold to a multinational technology company in 1996. Marcus said she has helped guide more than 30 startups in a variety of fields as a founder, investor, or advisor and shes an acknowledged expert in the hand-device interface space and a leader in the field of virtual reality.

Its clear what Marcus brought to Amazon Robotics, but what made her want to join the company?

What attracted me was the great group of people with diverse technical backgrounds, the difficulty of the problems they were solving, the willingness to try things and fail fast like a startup, and the impact of the solutions once developed on the Amazon Fulfillment facilities worldwide., Marcus said. Saying it differently, being creative and entrepreneurial at Amazon allows for the ability to have a huge impact fast without the constraints normally experienced in a startup.

Despite the fact that Marcus work focuses on robotic automation, she appreciates the fact that her work allows her to continue to understand that humans are uniquely capable and adaptive.

As an industry, our job is to identify tasks that can be automated and look for ways humans and robots can work together to gain a better result, Marcus said. At Amazon, its exciting to see robots helping our full-time employees at our fulfillment centers and fueling superfast delivery on behalf of customers.

Learn more about this weeks Geek of the Week, Beth Marcus:

What do you do, and why do you do it?I am a senior principal at Amazon Robotics where Im working with some of the smartest people in the industry to solve the hardest problems in robotics. I love working on challenges that will have a significant impact and seeing my solutions in action in the real world almost immediately at Amazon fulfillment centers. I especially love mentoring young engineers and women to innovate and create the future.

Whats the single most important thing people should know about your field?We are on the precipice of huge advances in the field of robotics with the potential for new technology to become more deeply integrated into our every day lives. Contrary to what some may say, robotics simply make tasks more efficient and allow people to shift their focus to more sophisticated activities. Its exciting to see the pace of innovation and the potential that exists in robotics.

Where do you find your inspiration?I find personal inspiration from nature, poetry and people I admire like Maya Angelou and my coworkers.

Whats the one piece of technology you couldnt live without, and why?My cell phone! Text messaging is the primary method of communication and connection I have with my teenage daughter.

Whats your workspace like, and why does it work for you?I have several workspaces, both at the office and in my home. My favorite workspace is my home office where I frequently work remotely. It has two large windows overlooking the nearby conservation area and Im able to watch animals like geese, deer, coyotes, foxes and woodchucks passby. Those scenes bring me clarity. It also has a wall of books and no door so I am always connected to my family. At Amazon Robotics I am across from one of our many coffee stations, which I love because it makes it easy to socialize with my coworkers throughout the day. We love laughing, telling stories and sharing ideas.

Your best tip or trick for managing everyday work and life. (Help us out, we need it.)Family and health first and then try to do fun things like cooking classes, Djembe drumming circles and painting whenever possible to offer balance. Regularly take a day to do nothing or next to nothing: read, talk to friends or invite your neighbor for tea (my neighbors are lovely people!). When you feel stuck and unproductive, be social! It may rejuvenate you, but if it doesnt, go home and hug your family, dog or a friend, and start again when you feel refreshed. When youve achieved something, stop to pat yourself and those around you on the back. Dont take any of lifes ups and downs personally.

Mac, Windows or Linux?Mac.

Kirk, Picard, or Janeway?In general I prefer the strong woman leader, however my favorite Star Trek character is Geordi La Forge I love the concept of the visor.

Transporter, Time Machine or Cloak of Invisibility?Its a tie between all three: Transporter because Id be able to visit friends around the world more easily or see the top of Kilamanjaro, polar ice caps and many other things without the difficulty of getting there. Time machine because Id like to redo some of my less-than-shining moments and appreciate my mother more while she was alive. Cloak of Invisibility because I could play pranks without getting caught.

If someone gave me $1 million to launch a startup, I would Not start another company myself! Ive launched five startups and I know how hard they are, so Id probably put half in medium aggressive traditional investments and take the other half and invest in five startups and help them succeed without being in the hot seat myself.

I once waited in line for Many years ago I was in Japan on the Emperors birthday, the only day of the year that the general public is allowed into the palace. I stood with a friend in a huge line as people were slowly let in. When it was almost time to close the gates to the palace everyone stayed in line and jogged into the Palace grounds. I was amazed that the scenario resulted in anything other than chaos!

Your role models:When I was younger I wanted to be many things successful, generous, impactful, cool and funny. Now Id settle for having as much energy as some of my mentors in the industry!

Greatest game in history:Historical events like the first Tour de France are my favorite games when it comes to athletic competition. Today, Pokemon Go has my devotion.

Best gadget ever:iPhone.

First computer:Compaq luggable. It was so heavy!

Current phone:iPhone 7 Plus.

Favorite app:For fun its Prism, favorite game is Pokeman Go, and Audible for listening to books on tape every night.

Favorite cause:Broadly I support anything that helps animals and education. On a personal level, Im passionate about supporting the Alzheimers Association as my mother passed away from this disease.

Most important technology of 2016:Amazon Echo Show!

Most important technology of 2018:Stay tuned, Im still working on it! (Just kidding)

Final words of advice for your fellow geeks:Dont take yourself too seriously. Always be open to collaboration as the result will likely be better, youll find and work through failures faster, and youll have an opportunity to mentor or be mentored. And, allow yourself to think big, experiment, simplify and fail quickly to iterate upon a successful solution.

Website: Amazon Robotics

Twitter: @startupdoc

LinkedIn: Beth Marcus

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Geek of the Week: Amazon Robotics' Beth Marcus helps machines and humans work better together - GeekWire

Jordan Beck | Daily Press Local student Allie Livingston, who will be entering sixth grade at the Gladstone Junior High School this fall, steers a robot built out of Lego bricks around an obstacle course Thursday. Bay College and Michigan Works Lego Robotics Camp, which Livingston participated in, will give local students an opportunity to boost their technical knowledge and social skills this summer.

ESCANABA Local students aged 7-12 will have an opportunity to boost their technical knowledge and social skills this summer by taking part in Bay College and Michigan Works Lego Robotics Camp. The first sessions of this camp for the summer of 2017 were held at Bay Colleges M-TEC building June 19 through 22, and additional sessions will be held throughout the summer.

Bay College Grant Project Manager Beth Ann Belcher said this program has been offered for quite a while.

This will be our eighth year offering the camp, she said.

Over the course of each four-day-long session of the camp, participating students work with Lego Mindstorms EV3 kits to build functioning robots.

These are very complex kits that actually have a computer component to them, Belcher said. At the end of each session, students will be able to put their robots to the test by steering them around an obstacle course.

Michigan Works Jobs for Michigans Graduates Specialist Elizabeth Mineau said that the use of Lego bricks makes the program accessible to students.

Its a relatable medium for them to use and to start learning that robotic technology, she said.

Two sessions of the camp are offered each week: one for students aged 7-9, and one for students aged 10-12. According to Belcher, students in both sessions will build replicas of a character from a popular Pixar movie.

They are actually going to recreate the Wall-E robot, she said. Students aged 10-12 will also build a robotic tank.

Mineau noted that the camp has given participating students an opportunity to learn more about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics or, as they are collectively referred to, the STEAM fields.

Its really improving their (STEAM) knowledge, she said.

In addition to building robots, students participating in the Lego Robotics Camp are able to learn about programming.

Even though its very complicated, once you get the hang of it, it is very easy, Alex Anderson said. Anderson will be entering fourth grade at Mid Peninsula School this fall.

Additionally, Belcher said the camp has helped students hone their ability to collaborate with others.

It helps them develop their social skills because they work in small groups together, she said.

Allie Livingston, who will be entering sixth grade at the Gladstone Junior High School this fall, agreed with Belcher.

You learn how to work together better, she said.

Belcher thanked Michigan Works for their involvement with the camp.

Without their partnership, this wouldnt be possible, she said.

Livingston said she would recommend the camp to other students.

If you havent gone to (Lego) Robotics, youve missed a lot of fun, she said.

Sessions of the Lego Robotics Camp will be held at Bay Colleges Escanaba campus on the weeks of June 26, July 10, and July 17; sessions will also be held at Bays Iron Mountain campus on the weeks of July 31 and August 7. Registration in the camp costs $60 per student. For more information, or to register for upcoming sessions of the camp, visit http://www.baycollege.edu/invent.

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Kids learn robotics through Lego camp - Escanaba Daily Press

An all-girls robotics team from the International School of the Peninsula in Palo Alto will journey to Sydney, Australia in July to compete in the Asia Pacific Youth Robotics Competition.

Its path to success this year also brought the girls to a plastics manufacturer, the Marine Science Institute in Redwood City and the Environmental Protection Agency office in San Francisco.

When the AllGirlRhythm Robotics Team learned that many turtle species are endangered not only because of fishing and poaching, but mainly because of the millions of tons of plastic that end up in the ocean each year, they decided to do something about it.

The team of rising sixth- and seventh-grade students Sofia Cadoret, Alessandra Dodson, Anya Greene, Olivia Hau, Cybille Irissou and Mandi Lee created a turtle toolkit to help schools calculate how much plastic their campuses use each year and devise an action plan.

Turtles die from many things, but plastic is the main thing, Olivia said.

The studentsTurtles Against Nurdles project helped them win the NorCal First Lego League Robotics tournament in January.

Each competition has the students using a robot they built to complete a set of missions in a way that earns them the most points. But tournament judges also evaluate the students on core values as well as a field research project, which is where the turtle project applies.

This years tournament theme, Animal Allies, challenges each team to choose and solve a real-world problem affecting animals.

Alessandra, who goes by Ale, said she learned that plastic doesnt ever really go away.

It just becomes really small and hard to see, Ale said. It just stays in the water and turtles accidentally eat them because they mistake them for jellyfish. It harms their digestive system and takes up space so theyre not hungry anymore and then they starve to death.

Much of the plastic we use are made from nurdles, small plastic pellets that are less than 5 millimeters in size, about the size of a lentil.

Anya said the team brainstormed ways to help turtles and other marine life. She said their ideas included beach cleanups, recycling campaigns and encouraging biodegradable plastics efforts.

After visiting the plastics company and marine center, and doing more research, the students learned that those ideas would likely only have minimal impact: Because of the number and size of nurdles, cleanups are hard to do; only 10 percent of plastics get recycled each year; and biodegradable plastics often harm animals anyway because they still take awhile to break down.

Thats why we focused on preventing plastic use, Ale said. If we remove the trash but trash keeps going into the ocean, it doesnt solve the problem.

So the focus became changing human behavior. The team simplified the EPAs Marine Debris Toolkit, meant for college students, so it can be used in elementary and middle school classrooms.

We decided to focus on changing behavior where its easiest: with kids, Mandi said. Our plastics reduction program can be used by any kids, anywhere.

Starting with their own school, Sofia said the students determined that about 200 single-use water bottles were distributed daily as part of the hot lunch program. They made a pitch to the principal that resulted in the school installing water bottle filling stations and asking students to bring reusable bottles.

Parent Spencer Greene, who serves as one of the coaches, said the girls got good feedback when they met with the EPA earlier this month.

What EPA confirmed for them is that the prevention approach is definitely the area of greatest impact, Greene said. Just reducing the amount of usage compared to recycling, compared to biodegradable bottles, which the girls are working on, provides the greatest opportunity for change.

Parent Tammi Ng, who serves as the teams project and core values coach, said the students accomplishments are amazing.

At the end of the day, while the girls were surprised and happy they won at the regional competition, they were more excited they made such a huge impact putting the toolkit to the test, Ng said. They made a huge impact at the International School and theyre going to get the opportunity to work with the EPA and get it implemented across the nation. This has been an incredible journey for the girls.

These days, the team and their coaches, Ng, Greene and parents Bertrand Irissou and Laura Langone, are busy preparing to compete in Australia starting July 6.

Cybille said the students decided early on to keep things simple and not add too many attachments to their robot, which is named CASOMA, taking an initial from each girls name.

She said the team worked hard, through strategy and trial and error, to pick obstacles they can do within two minutes that maximize the number of points they earn.

Obstacles include using the robot to transport animals built from Lego such as a pig, bee or gecko from one part of the arena to another.

Anya said some of the obstacles the team overcame included figuring out a very bizarre problem where the robot kept tripping over a piece of Velcro and the most efficient way to have the robot move a platform in 180 degrees.

When team members have different ideas about what direction to take, they vote or combine all the ideas, she said.

The competition is a fun and challenging way to teach students to solve problems, manage time efficiently and work together, Coach Irissou said. The team earned 173 points in the first tournament and aim to exceed 300 in their upcoming bout.

There are no two robots that are alike, Irissou said. You can see all the different ways kids come up with to solve the same problems.

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Student robotics team sets sights on saving turtles - The Mercury News

We believe that robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformational technological development with the potential to disrupt a range of industries over the coming decades. To further explore this theme, we took a deeper dive into examples of companies leading in four categories targeted by the Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (NASDAQ:BOTZ):

Industrial Robotics and Automation: FANUC Corp.

While many believe robotics has only recently become a viable technology, some firms have been involved in the space for decades. FANUC, for example, has been a prominent player in the robotics and automation industry since the early 1970s. The firm focuses on industrial automation and is one of the chief suppliers of robotic machinery to the Japanese and US automobile industries.1 The company largely focuses on developing computerized numerical control (CNC) systems, which are robotic machines that can be fed specific instructions and then execute on those instructions with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency. An example of these instructions could be to lift up a piece of sheet metal from a stack, press it into a specific shape, and weld it to a car frame.

FANUCs commitment to enhancing the industrial manufacturing process through robotics technology is deep within the firms own DNA; FANUC not only sells robotic tools to customers, but also employs those same robots in its own manufacturing process. FANUC is a forerunner in the lights out manufacturing process wherein its own robots build the products the company sells. The companys factory operates without humans; there isnt even a need for lights or an HVAC system.

Non-Industrial Robotics: Intuitive Surgical

We view robotics & AI as a transformational theme because its disruptive force is not limited to industrial manufacturing. Health care is one non-industrial segment that is rapidly adopting robotics technology. Companies such as Intuitive Surgical are pioneering robotic-assisted surgery in an effort to improve patient outcomes. The firm builds robotic devices used in minimally invasive surgeries including wristed instruments that can bend and rotate further than a human hand. These robotic devices enable surgeons to operate with enhanced vision, precision, and control, which can lead to less damage to patients nerves, quicker healing, and smaller scars versus the more traditional human-only way of performing selected surgeries.2

A study published in European Urology revealed that prostate cancer patients who underwent robotic-assisted surgeries had fewer cancer cells, lost less blood, and spent less time recovering in the hospital. Since 2000, the da Vinci robotic surgical system has now been used in more 3 million surgeries.3

Unmanned Vehicles and Drones: Parrot SA

Although militaries remain the predominant users of drone technology, commercial usage is accelerating as firms incorporate drones into parcel delivery, agriculture, inspections, and emergency response. According to the FAA, commercial drone usage is expected to grow 10-fold from 2016 to 2021.4

One prominent player in the space is Parrot, which develops drones, software, and accessories for both amateurs and professionals. While early adopters of unmanned aerial vehicles ((UAVs)) included business-to-consumer ((B2C)) flight enthusiasts and photographers, Parrot has become increasingly focused on the business-to-business ((B2B)) market. The company has found that UAVs mounted with HD cameras can effectively monitor production and yield on farms, inspect buildings, pipelines, and power lines, and generate 3D models of buildings and interiors.5

Artificial Intelligence: Faro Technologies Inc.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an essential component to the advancement of robotics technology. AI allows robots to not just execute on human or pre-planned inputs, but also to operate in an unstructured environment and make decisions. In order to carry out these tasks, an essential component of AI is robotic vision or the ability for machines to image and process their surroundings. One firm dedicated to advancing this space is Faro Technologies, which develops high precision imaging devices and software. The application for this technology is virtually boundless; it can create 3D models and measurements of large environments or small goods, compare parts and structures for quality assurance, or rapidly prototype items.6

This software has become particularly popular among factories using the imaging software for automated inspections and calibrations. The software has also found applications in construction for surveying purposes as well as public safety for investigating fires, crime scenes, and accidents.7

As of 6/8/2017, Fanuc Corp was 6.93% of BOTZ, Intuitive Surgical Inc. 7.91%, Parrot SA 0.38%, and Faro Technologies Inc. 0.68%. Click here for current holdings of BOTZ. Holdings are subject to change. There is no guarantee companies mentioned remain in or out of the Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF.

1. RobotWorx, Fanuc Robotics The Industry Leader, https://www.robots.com/articles/viewing/fanuc-robotics-the-industry-leader

2. All About Robotic Surgery, FAQs, http://allaboutroboticsurgery.com/roboticsurgeryfaqs.html

3. Intuitive Surgical FAQs, https://www.intuitivesurgical.com/company/faqs.html, published 11/2016

4. Reuters, U.S. Commercial Drone Use to Expand Tenfold by 2021: Government Agency, March 22, 2017.

5. Parrot, Parrot Further Expands in B2B Markets with 2 New Drone Solutions, May 9, 2017.

6. Faro Company Profile, http://www.faro.com/en-us/about-faro/facts/company-profile

7. Faro Annual Report, 2016

This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. This information should not be relied upon by the reader as research or investment advice and is intended for educational purposes only.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. The investable universe of companies in which BOTZ may invest may be limited. The Fund invests in securities of companies engaged in Information Technology which can be affected by rapid product obsolescence, and intense industry competition. In addition to normal risks associated with investing, international investments may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuation in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from social, economic or political instability in other nations. The fund is non-diversified.

Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

Carefully consider the Funds investment objectives, risk factors, charges and expenses before investing. This and additional information can be found in the Funds full or summary prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 1-888-GX-FUND-1 (1.888.493.8631), or by visiting globalxfunds.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Global X Management Company LLC serves as an advisor to Global X Funds. The Funds are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO), which is not affiliated with Global X Management Company LLC.

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Leading Companies In The Development Of Robotics And AI - Seeking Alpha

Pittsburgh-based RE2 Robotics penned a contract this week with the U.S. Air Force to create robotic pilots for military planes.

The team wont be retrofitting planes like Uber has done with its fleet of autonomous cars. Instead, it will expand on auto-pilot technology to develop drop-in robotic systems. Principle scientist Andrew Mor said the robots will replace a seat in the cockpit and would operate an aircraft without a crew on board.

Were not trying to invent the wheel at this point, he said. Were trying to take known components, known technology and integrate them in a way that hasnt been done before, into a complete system that can fly an aircraft.

The system is named the Common Aircraft Retrofit for Novel Autonomous Control." The company said the aircrafts wont have to be modified, which will reduce costs.

The concept is not intended to be used in commercial airspace. If the Air Force decides to more forward, Mor said it will be used within the confines of a military air force base. The robot pilots will take over during potentially dangerous situations.

Its pretty much anywhere you would not necessarily want to have a manned pilot in the cockpit, he said. You could be doing anything where youd want to have an aircraft in the sky for a long period of time will be longer than a standard that a normal pilot could be capable of supporting.

In one year, the team will have to demonstrate the working system in a simulator. Then,Mor said, the Air Force will determine if it should move forward with installing the system in an aircraft.

Jorgen Pedersen, president and CEO of RE2 Robotics, said Wednesday that the company would be incorporating existing technologies with the companys expertise in, applique systems, vision processing algorithms and decision making.

By creating a drop-in robotic pilot, we have the ability to insert autonomy into and expand the capabilities of not only traditionally manned air vehicles, but ground and underwater vehicles as well, he said. This application will open up a whole new market for our mobile robotic manipulator systems.

Boeing has also started similar ventures in robot-operated planes.

Read more from the original source:

A Pittsburgh Robotics Company Is Developing Autonomous Aircrafts For The Air Force - 90.5 WESA

STEM is hot...at least as a buzzword and concept. The concept of increased focus for our kids on Science Technology Engineering and Math is certainly a wonderful idea. STEM or STEAM (add some Art into it) skills can expand the possibilities of what the next generation can accomplish.

The problem is, how do you teach STEM skills in a way that is both educational but also entertaining enough to keep kids interested. Sony Global Education is looking to achieve this goal with KOOV - a robotics and coding kit.

With a tag line of Play, Code, Create - KOOV sounds like a winner on paper...but unless you make paper airplanes, paper doesnt matter. While KOOV is currently on Indiegogo - we were able to get our hands on a unit to fully test out and review.

Please watch our full review of the KOOV Robotics and Coding Kit from Sony -

Lets be honest, there is no shortage of robotics kits that teach block based programming. Marketers have been quick to realize that STEM sells and suddenly there are a slew of robotics and coding kits flooding the market.

What sets KOOV apart from many of the other robotics kits is the way it combines robotics, coding, teaching, building and sharing. Kids who are into Lego and other constructions toys, will instantly be drawn to the building aspect of KOOV. Daughter more of a logical coder? She will love the educational aspect of the app and the easy way digital code can be brought to life with a physical robot.

In short, KOOV does an excellent job of combining the digital aspect of coding with the physical aspects of building and watching robotic creations come to life. The sharing aspect of the app will be a hit with kids because their generation is totally connected and live to share.

We could go on and on about STEM, the need for our children to learn more coding, the future of jobs, etc. The thing is - none of that matters if the kids get bored with a toy and dont play with it.

KOOV is engaging and fun and while we could list out all its impressive tech features - we consider fun to be the most important factor when it comes to kids. Dont confuse fun with frivolous. Sony doesnt sugar coat or dumb down the programming - the block based coding is the real deal and can get complex. Luckily, kids will happily learn complex things...if it means getting their robotic 2 headed monkey to do a backflip.

KOOV Robotics and Coding Kit from Sony is Now on Indiegogo

Disclosure: We were compensated for producing the video - all views and opinions are our own and Sony did not review or edit our video.

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KOOV Robotics and Coding Kit Review - Fun, Educational or Both? - HuffPost

Northumberland robotics firm Tharsus could soon ramp up its partnership with Ocado four years after first teaming up with the online grocery retailer.

The Blyth business, which designs and manufactures electro-mechanical systems, has been unveiled as the long-term partner in Ocados warehouse automation project, having already made swarm of robots for the firm which are used to pick groceries for delivery.

Now Ocado plans to introduce the robots at other sites, including their fourth grocery customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in Erith, South East London.

The two companies have been working closely together since 2013 when Tharsus first became the official co-designer and manufacturer of the robotic vehicle that now forms the foundation of the game-changing Ocado Smart Platform.

Ocado is the worlds largest dedicated online grocery retailer with more than 580,000 active customers in the UK and the revolutionary robot hive system built in partnership with Tharsus features huge numbers of robots, retrieving crates of groceries from beneath a grid structure.

The hive was recently deployed in Ocados Andover customer fulfilment centre (CFC) and is enabling the company to maximise the efficiency of food deliveries and significantly reduce customer order picking times from hours to a few minutes.

Tharsus worked in close collaboration with Ocado Technology and Ocado Engineering to rapidly prototype, develop and refine the robot for mass production.

Tharsus chief technical officer Dave Swan said: One of the greatest challenges has been the management of thousands of bots moving on one grid simultaneously, each carrying over 30 kg of groceries while moving at several metres per second with just millimetres between each machine.

The robots need to accelerate and decelerate rapidly and stop with millimetre accuracy.

They need to pick up and carry a heavy payload over long distances and be able to run for many hours on a single battery charge.

Nothing of this scale, sophistication or modularity existed before, so both companies had to innovate in several areas related to software and hardware design to make this system fully operational.

We knew that our vision for the Ocado Smart Platform was challenging from the outset stated Ocados Chief Operating Officer Mark Richardson We wanted to transform the way Ocado operates and also be able to offer the system to other global retailers to transform the way they serve their customers. The robot is one of the fundamental elements of our system and Tharsus has been a great partner to help us achieve our ambition. Theyve worked as a core member of our team, providing great technical insight into the design, with a flexible manufacturing operation to deliver machines to our site. Their support has been invaluable to us in getting our first fulfilment centre operational last year.

As part of Ocados plan to introduce the robots at other sites Tharsus now has the capacity to produce thousands of units per year.

Our collaboration with Ocado and strong relationship with our critical component suppliers has produced a great result of which were very proud, added Mr Swan.

The partnership has produced a world-class goods-handling robot in a very short space of time. As we ramp-up production and start joint design of the next generation robot, were looking forward to supporting Ocado fulfil its ambitions in the UK and abroad.

Accounts published by Tharsus in March showed a a 67% hike in turnover after bringing in over 20m last year.

See the article here:

Robotics firm Tharsus provides horsepower for Ocado's new warehouse - ChronicleLive

Image: NASA/GSFC The most efficient way to exploring other planets may be sending humans to orbit, and letting robots do everything else.

As we start looking towards more comprehensive exploration of the Moon and of Mars, the assumption is that were working on sending humans to the surface of those worlds. Its going to be exponentially more difficult and dangerous than sending robots, but thats what exploration is all about, right?

Theres an article in the current issue of Science Robotics that discusses an alternative approacha kind of compromise between sending only humans or only robots. The idea isusing robotictelepresence for planetary exploration. From orbit, the authors argue, a small team of humans would remote operate rovers and other robotic systems and as a result they could do more exploration while keeping the overall mission safer and cheaper.

We already use telerobotics for planetary explorationweve got robots all over the solar system sending us data and then patiently doing what we tell them to do. This is different than telepresence, because of the latency involved: It takes long enough (minutes to hours) for a signal traveling at the speed of light to make it from Earth to Mars or Saturn and back again. That means that theres no way for us to have a real presence experience.

In theScience Robotics article, Dan F. Lester, Kip V. Hodges, and Robert C. Anderson from Exinetics, in Austin, Texas, Arizona State University, in Tempe, and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, inPasadena, Calif.,arguefor sending humans into space specifically to reduce latency to something tolerable (better than 0.5 second), for example going into orbit around Mars (but not to the surface) just to make it so that humans can control robots on the surface through telepresence in near real-timewith the robots also doing things on their own when needed.

The European Space Agency (ESA)tried this kind of thing out recently, with an astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS) directly controlling a robot on Earth. We wrote about it here, and theres an article from ESA here. NASA has been trying it in the other direction as well, controlling Robonaut 2 on the ISS from the ground.

There are lots of reasons why space agencies are working on orbital telepresence, many of which are illustrated in the NASA artwork at the top of this article. Using relatively simple assistive autonomy, a horde of robots can spend most of their time wandering around on their own, while a few humans jump between them via telepresence from orbit to provide guidance.

The robot horde can consists of all kinds of different platforms, like driving robots, flying robots, robots that can scale cliffs, robots with arms, robots with drills, robots with lasers, or anything else you want. If some of the robots get stuck or break, its not a big deal, youve got more. Some robots could even collect samples on the surface, and then send them up to you inside little rockets. And, as autonomy improves and robots get better at autonomous navigation and even doing autonomous science, humans will be able to control more and more of them at once, only stepping in when necessary.

As I see it, there are two fundamental questions about using telepresence robots for exploration:

As robots and telepresence get more capable and more reliable, NASA isnt the only one who will have to make decisions like these. Already, you can rent telepresence robots for conferences and to tour museums (or zoos), getting some significant percentage of the value of being there in person without having to spend time and money on travel.

Its certainly better than nothing right now, but at some point, it might be almost as good as the real thing in some ways, and even better than the real thing in others. For those of us who dont have the option for travel, telepresence will be a valuable tool, and for those of us who do have the option for travel, well have to decide whether its really worth it, for destinations around this world, or to another.

[ Science Robotics ]

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

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We find out how well a telepresence robot can visit the zoo and play golf at the beach 7Sep2016

In one giant leap for robotkind, NASA's Robonaut humanoid will travel to space later this year and join the crew of the International Space Station3Sep2010

NASA is giving out Valkyrie robots to universities for space training 24Jun2015

With a solid-fuel rocket and internal gyro stabilizer, this little robot can make a highly targeted long-distance leap 6Jun

This small, nimble robot can fold and unfold itself 13May

This little robot can go where other robots fear to roll 8May

Small, versatile, and autonomous, Astrobee will be getting to work on the ISS 11Feb

This free-flying robot will be a big help for astronauts aboard the International Space Station 9Feb

Top teams will compete in a simulated Mars mission 8Feb

The competition starts with teams operating a robot in a simulated Martian dust storm 17Aug2016

Teleoperation and in-situ materials are how robots will prepare the moon and Mars for our arrival 25Jan2016

Among the challenges: competing with Facebook and Google, and figuring out how to integrate commercial technology into space programs 7Dec2015

The U.S. space agency plans to use tiny satellites and GPS signals to more accurately predict hurricane strength 27Oct2015

An MIT engineer and historian argues that self-driving cars and other robotic systems should still keep humans in the loop 23Oct2015

Robotic teleoperation means we can explore places where it's too difficult to send fragile, needy humans 17Sep2015

This is what happens when we skip a week of Video Friday 11Sep2015

JPL's tumbling robotic hedgehog can jump, spin, and roll in microgravity to explore asteroids and comets 10Sep2015

A robot powered by turbulence might be the best way to explore gas giants 23Jul2015

Refueling and repairing satellites in orbit could drastically lower costs, and NASA is working to make it happen 22Jul2015

The first spacecraft of the asteroid-mining venture Planetary Resources will test technologies for future space missions 20Jul2015

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Are Telepresence Robots the Best Way to Explore Other Worlds? - IEEE Spectrum

You might not have heard of Kuka, but youll almost certainly know its products. The German firm is one of the worlds top manufacturers of industrial robots, and its robot arms are instantly recognizable thanks to their signature orange livery. But in the future, Kukas robots might become an even more familiar sight, with the company saying its now exploring the world of consumer robotics.

together we want to do consumer robotics.

In an interview with the Financial Times, CEO Till Reuter said the change was being pushed by Kukas new parent company, Chinese home appliance maker Midea. Midea is not doing any robotics or automation, so Kuka is automation for Midea, Reuter told the FT. And they are very well connected to the consumer industry. So together we want to do consumer robotics.

Midea bought Kuka last year for 4.5 billion. The Chinese firm makes a wide range of products for the home, including air con systems, washing machines, ovens, fridges, and more. Its not clear what sort of product Midea is aiming to produce, but Kukas expertise in automating heavy-duty physical tasks suggests the companies would be looking beyond simple home-hub robots. Instead, they might set their sights on more complex robot assistants, able to help with tasks like looking after the elderly. Robots like these are under development in a number of countries, including Japan, which faces the challenge of looking after an aging population.

Building a robot designed to work closely with humans would fit Kukas evolving interests, which have moved from just static industrial robots, to smaller bots that work side by side with people. These include its iiwa range of bots (the name stands for intelligent industrial work assistant) which are designed to give factory workers a third hand. Kuka told the FT: We come from this direction to the consumer market; Midea comes from the other direction and we meet in the middle.

Read this article:

Germany's biggest industrial robotics company is working on consumer robots - The Verge

Most of the robots around the world are shipped to factories, where the machines will be used to make other machines, like cars, laptops and dishwashers.

As more people buy more new gadgets, the market for the industrial robots that build devices is poised to grow 175 percent over the next nine years, according to data from the International Federation of Robotics and Loup Ventures.

But the driver of much of that growth isnt going to be from the room-sized metal industrial arms that have been piecing together cars for decades.

Rather, a new generation of manufacturing robots is emerging that is more collaborative, smaller and more perceptive than traditional machinery. Collaborative robots, which Loup projects will account for 34 percent of the industrial robots sold by 2025, are designed to work safely with and alongside people in factories.

In 2016, collaborative robots only represented 3 percent of industrial robots sold.

These robots are smaller and have more sensors, which help them react faster and with more intelligence when approaching another object or a human, so as not to apply too much force and stop operating when appropriate.

Collaborative robots are generally cheaper than traditional robots too, ranging from $25,000 to $45,000, whereas traditional factory floor robots can cost upward of $100,000 each.

That cheaper price tag, combined with the fact that the collaborative robotic arms are typically also smaller and have more nimble movements, could open the doors to more types of manufacturing plants to start to adopt robots on their production lines.

Heres an example of a collaborative robot named Baxter made by Rethink Robotics, a U.S.-based robot manufacturer.

In another example, a medical device manufacturer that runs a smaller factory might be able to start automating some of its assembly line using smaller, less-expensive collaborative robots; traditional industrial robots were typically too big, dangerous or expensive to install to be worth the investment.

Robots for automotive manufacturing currently make up the bulk of the industrial robots sold in the world. But as robots get smaller, cheaper and become better at working alongside humans, Loup predicts robots in electronics manufacturing will match the demand of robots in automotive factories by 2025.

This year, the market value of industrial robots worldwide is estimated to hit $14 billion, up 13 percent from last year, according to the data from the International Federation of Robotics and Loup, with more than 20 percent more units sold than in 2016.

And by 2025, the market for industrial robots is projected to balloon to $33.8 billion. To put that in perspective, in 2016 the global industrial robot market was valued at $12.3 billion. So in less than 10 years, the market value of industrial robots could nearly triple.

Growth is already under way. Factories are actually buying a lot more robots now than they have in previous years. In North America alone there were 32 percent more robots bought in the first quarter of 2017 than at the same time last year. But more robots sold doesnt mean the market value of the industry will rise at the same rate, since the uptick in sales, in part, is due to the price of robots going down.

Additional reporting by Rani Molla.

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The industrial robotics market will nearly triple in less than 10 years - Recode

At Alpine Waste and Recycling in Denver, Clarke uses its suction cup arm to sort through cartons from the conveyor belt alongside his fellow human workers. Its camera identifies a carton and the robotic arm quickly swoops down to grab it and toss it into a bin. This innovation in recycling is transforming the industry, making it more efficient and cost effective, while also filling labor shortages.

Clarke, named after the sci-fi author Sir Arthur C. Clarke of 2001: A Space Odyssey fame, is a recycling robot created by Autonomous Manipulation and Perception Robotics (AMP). Founder Matanya Horowitz, stumbled on recycling when looking for different sectors where artificial intelligence (AI) might be useful.

Right now recycling takes a tremendous amount of manual labor. Its a very challenging job; its very dirty, it smells bad, Horowitz says. Theres a lot of materials so you have to concentrate pretty hard.

As a result, retaining employees in material recovery facilities (MRF), where recycling sorting occurs, is difficult. Ive never seen a recycling facility without a now hiring sign out front, he says.

However, robots like Clarke are helping to change that by taking over some of the more labor-intensive tasks difficult for humans. They can, for example, handle dangerous materials found during sorting such as knives and hypodermic needles.

Robots can also recycle at a much faster rate and with more accuracy than human sorters. For example, Clarke can sort up to 60 cartons per minute, whereas humans usually only sort around 40 cartons per minute. Even better, Clarke can do it all with 95 percent accuracy. Plus, with the use of AI software, technology like Clarke will continually update to recognize new packaging.

They (the robots) have flexibility and the ability to take on new materials naturally without really changing the way the system works, Horowitz says. This will give MRFs the ability to have a higher rate of quality during sorting, and therefore gain more revenue from the materials they sell.

Another key to AMP Robotics technology is accessibility. We think its important to hit a really quick payback period, Horowitz says. He states that cost concerns for the robot are much lower than usual for the industry, which normally has a payback period of four to five years. AMP Robotics payback period is usually less than two, making it easier for MRFs to adopt the technology.

Alpine Waste and Recycling, which was the first MRF to allow AMP Robotics to pilot Clarke in their facility, recognized the potential of this new technology right away.

The future of the industry is finding ways to divert more types of materials, says Brent Hildebrand, vice president of recycling at Alpine. Technology is probably going to play a pretty big part of that.

Looking to further improve the efficiency of MRFs like Alpine, AMP Robotics is now working on other pilot programs that recognize different types of waste other than cartons for sorting. New projects addressing plastics, electronics and construction and demolition material will most likely be announced this year.

The Carton Council, formed in 2009, also contributed to AMP Robotics pilot program, consisting of leading carton manufacturers Elopak, SIG Combibloc, Evergreen Packaging and Tetra Pak, and associate member, Nippon Dynawave. The Council provided a grant to Alpine Waste and Recycling in order to install Clarke at their facility, and also hopes to see the use of this technology become popular among other MRFs.

The technology has widespread implications for carton recycling and the broader recycling industry, says Derric Brown, Carton Council member and director of sustainability for the Carton Council of North America and for Evergreen Packaging, via email. It can be adapted to other materials, including those considered hard to sort due to their shape or size or low volume in the recycling stream.

In the future, Alpine Waste and Recycling hopes to continue to find more ways to innovate in not only their facility, but the whole industry. If the technology continues to grow like it has over the last year, it will be one of the next important pieces to MRF operations, which helps drive those costs which on the supply chain will be passed along to the curbside recycling to make it more cost effective down the road, Hildebrand says. It will not only help our MRF but also MRFs across the country.

For now, Clarke stays busy at the facility in Denver sorting cartons, all while changing the face of the recycling industry.

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Reduce, reuse, recycle and robots? - Boulder Weekly

Sphero is best known as the creator of toy robots, including popular movie merch for films like Star Wars, Cars, and Spider-Man. But the company has grander ambitions than that: today it announced that it has spun off its advanced robotics division to create a new firm, Misty Robotics, with the goal of putting a personal robot in every home and office.

Misty isnt sharing many details on what these bots will look like, and, according to a report from TechCrunch, the companys first products will be targeted at the hobbyist/maker market. The image below supposedly shows an early prototype, although its not clear exactly what were looking at. Perhaps the head of a home hub bot, like the Kuri or the Jibo? Its possible, though these bots are essentially glorified tablets-on-wheels, and their functionality has mostly been usurped by smart speakers from Amazon and Google. Misty has hinted its bots will be more sophisticated than that.

Its clear, though, that Misty has big ambitions, and is going to be moving slowly toward building more functional home robots. In a press release, the company says that robots in the future will be seen and treated as our friends, our teammates, and a part of our families, and will perform helpful tasks as well as interacting with humans in entertaining and friendly ways.

Misty Robotics has raised $11.5 million in initial funding, and employs a number of former Sphero employees, including co-founder Ian Bernstein, now Mistys head of product. Tim Enwall, who founded home automation company Revolv (before it was bought and killed off by Google) is taking on the role of CEO.

Soon robots will be a constant touchpoint throughout our lives, becoming commonplace and serving a variety of purposes that are very different than what exists today, said Bernstein in a press release. My vision is for Misty Robotics to lead this charge toward delivering the future we were all promised.

See the original post here:

Toy maker Sphero is starting a new company to put advanced robots in the home - The Verge

Robotic Industries Association Posted 06/22/2017

Conferences Provide In-Depth Training in Robot Safety, Motion Control, Vision Systems, and Collaborative Robots

ANN ARBOR, MI. Today, theAssociation for Advancing Automation(A3), the leading global advocate for the benefits of automating, announced a series of fall conferences that align with some of the hottest jobs of the future while providing insight into the latest automation innovations, in-depth technical training, practical strategies, and networking opportunities. Together, the three events address disciplines central to automationrobot safety, motion control, motor technologies, vision systems, and collaborative robots.

Automation technologies are fueling entirely new categories of jobsreally creating the jobs of the futurein addition to enabling companies to become more productive and create higher-quality products in safer environments, said Jeff Burnstein, A3 president. From instruction on implementing robot safety measures to helping attendees understand the latest collaborative robot, vision and motion control technologies, these conferences will present valuable training and networking opportunities while also, assisting companies in moving forward with automation advances. This enables them to grow their businesses, be more competitive in the global marketplace, and enrich the economic ecosystems of their communities.

National Robot Safety Conference: Oct 1012, Pittsburgh, PA The 29th annual National Robot Safety Conference will help businesses reduce risk by ensuring personnel are familiar with robot and machine safety as well as current robot safety standards. Industry leaders will provide real-world examples and identify best practices on how to incorporate safety into existing and new projects. In-depth sessions will cover:

Register hereto get up-to-speed on robot safety guidelines and practices.

MCMA TechCon: Oct 16-18, Minneapolis, MN This conference will include educational sessions and strategies for motion control, motor, and automation technologies and provide practical how-to information that everyone from machine builders and integrators to engineers designing systems can take back and implement. Sessions are taught by industry experts, and attendees have a chance to meet one-on-one with expert advisors, engineers, and technical staff as well as to network with other technology users.

Register hereto learn best practices on everything from design to applications.

Collaborative Robots & Advanced Vision Conference: Nov 1516, San Jose, CA Bringing together two disruptive technologiescollaborative robots and visionthat are extending automation capabilities, this conference will provide educational seminars and strategy sessions for collaborative robot users, suppliers, and integrators as well as an opportunity to showcase the latest technologies. In addition to receiving a detailed overview of ISO/TS 15066 Safety for collaborative applications, attendees will learn how machine vision and sensing is used in collaborative robot technologies.

Register herefor the opportunity to learn more about collaborative robots and vision.

About Association for Advancing Automation (A3) The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA), and A3 Mexico. RIA, AIA, MCMA, and A3 Mexico combined represent over 1,000 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, distributors, system integrators, end users, research groups, and consulting firms worldwide that drive automation forward. For more information, please visit our websites:A3;RIA;.AIA;MCMA;A3 Mexico.

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A3 Fall Conferences Spur Manufacturing Growth and the Creation of Entirely New Categories of Jobs - Robotics Online (press release)

Ryerson University and McMaster University have launched the Smart Robots for Health Communication project, a joint research initiative dedicated to introducing social robotics and AI in clinical health care.

The Smart Robots for Health Communication project is a collaboration between David Harris Smith, a professor in the department of communication studies and multimedia at McMaster; Frauke Zeller, professor in the school of professional communication at Ryerson; and Hermenio Lima, a dermatologist and professor of medicine at McMasters school of medicine.

Ryerson and McMaster universities said they will use Softbanks humanoid robot Pepper and IBM Bluemix Watson Cognitive Services to study health information exchange. Through the project, the universities hope to develop and analyze physical and virtual human-robot interactions, which can also lead to insights on how to better understand patient behavior.

We see this as the initiation of an ongoing collaborative university and industry research program to develop and test applications of embodied AI, a research program that is well-positioned to integrate and apply emerging improvements in machine learning and social robotics innovations, said Harris Smith.

We are excited to have the opportunity to potentially transform patient engagement in a clinical setting. Hermenio Lima

Zeller said Pepper, which is capable of reading emotions, moving, and adapting to its environment, will help the universities identify important aspects and motives of human behavior and communication. The universities also said that with the support of IBM Canada and SOSCIP which are supporting the integration of IBM Watson and Pepper the researchers will gain access to high-performance research computing resources and staff in Ontario.

Zeller and Harris Smith have previously worked together on hitchBOT, a hitchhiking robot that travelled across Canada and the United States. Pepper was funded by the Co-lab at Ryersons faculty of communication and design.

We are excited to have the opportunity to potentially transform patient engagement in a clinical setting, and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes by adapting to clients communications needs, said Lima.

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Ryerson and McMaster Universities launch joint robotics research project - BetaKit

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh robotics company to work on autonomous aircraft Pittsburgh Business Times A Pittsburgh robotics company is working with the Air Force to convert aircraft that would normally have human pilots into a system that would be autonomously controlled. RE2 Robotics said Wednesday that the recently awarded $1.49 million contract from ... RE2 Robotics Receives Air Force Funding to Develop Robotic Pilot for Autonomous AircraftRobotics Tomorrow (press release) all 4 news articles »

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Pittsburgh robotics company to work on autonomous aircraft - Pittsburgh Business Times

With crazy experiments, mystical creatures and robots on view, Bagley Hall at Northeastern State University has an unusual week ahead of it.

Students from the Cherokee County area are currently participating in NSU's Robotics Academy of Critical Engagement. The RACE academies offer kids of all ages an opportunity to explore and discover robotics, science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics - collectively known as STEAM.

There were a few academies students could choose from this week, one being "Wacky Science" for 4- and 5-year-olds. On the second day of Wacky Science, students have already used chemical reactions to create concoctions like silly putty, slime, artificial snow and more.

"I try to do chemical reactions that they would understand," said Karissa Pierson, junior at NSU. "So when we made lava lamps, I talked about the different densities between oil and water and how the food coloring stayed in the oil."

A byproduct of the Wacky Science experiments is a messy classroom, but Pierson said that's all part of the learning.

"I think it's very important for them to get messy and to actually be doing it themselves, so they will remember it and be interested," she said. "Because if we just read about chemical reactions or something, they definitely would not want to do it or remember it."

While the tiny scientists conduct their experiments throughout the week, witches and wizards will continue with their jobs, capturing mystical creatures. The Fantastical Mechanical Beasts class, for ages 6-8, offers students a chance to explore the world of Harry Potter. Not only have they been tasked with catching magical animals, they've also been challenged to create their own.

Teacher Dave Fuller said the children will have to design their creatures, draw them, and by the end of the week will have produced them via a 3D printer.

"We're kind of combining the movie ["Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"] with the robotics program," he said. "Their beast has to be one that doesn't currently exist. They have to think how big it is, what color it is and what its weaknesses might be."

Most of the kids' ideas for their mystical beasts involve a mixture of several animals. One idea suggested Tuesday included a "Gryffindor Hodgepodge," which is cross between a tiger and a dragon. Another one was "gorilla gator," a combination of the two.

Not far from the witches and wizards, a group of young engineers will work throughout the week to build their own robots in the VEX VRC Robotics Academy.

"They're creating claw robots that will be able to complete the objective of the game, which is to lift cones onto different stands and things," said Shelby O'Neal, NSU student. "So they're working on their robots for the new In the Zone competition."

The VEX Robotics Competition is the largest one of its kind, each year creating an engineering challenge - presented in the form of a game - for students around the world to accomplish. The kids at NSU's RACE academies will look to complete the challenge on Friday.

"I think kids in general are more technologically advanced than we were when were younger, so it's a great way to kind of keep their brains moving throughout the summer," said O'Neal.

While some kids in the class admit that building a robot form the ground up can be challenging, 10-year-old John Ryan said it "really just takes a long time."

"It's pretty easy, if you ask me," he said. "After we build it, we can add on things like spikes for the wheels, extra claws, extra wheels -- pretty much anything."

Ryan said that he enjoyed the camp so much last year, his parents signed him up again for 2017.

"Getting to know other people from Tahlequah" was an another perk he liked about the class.

Check it out

For more information on NSU's Robotics Academy of Critical Engagement, call 918-444-3739.

The rest is here:

Students make creative messes at robotics academies - Tahlequah Daily Press

+2

Watched by Kaleidoscope Discovery Center volunteer Matt Trimble, Houston 4-H Club member Allie Benoist works on a robotic helicopter.

Technology and youth education combined for several hours during a 4-H robotics workshop June 12 in the conference room at the Lone Star Annex in downtown Houston.

About 25 kids ages 8-to-18 in attendance had the opportunity to build, program and operate robots made from Lego kits. The event was orchestrated by the University of Missouri Texas County 4-H program and conducted by volunteers with the Kaleidoscope Discovery Center in Rolla.

Members of 4-H clubs in Houston, Licking, Plato and Laclede County participated, along with a few kids not affiliated with 4-H. Kids ages 8-to-10 worked with kits from the Lego Education WeDo series, while the 11-to-18-year-olds worked with kits from the Lego Mindstorms EV3 series.

After putting their robots together, kids used special tablets to program them to perform their tasks.

The goals include having them build the robot correctly and program it to do what they want it to do, said Serena Halger, who leads the Licking 4-H club along with her husband, Bobby. But it introduces the kids into engineering, and robotics applies to a lot of real life situations. It also helps them learn to work together, and kids at this age need practice communicating, sharing and taking turns.

This really helps them get some practice with those skills.

Robots are cool, and teach kids programming and engineering skills, and they have fun doing it."

HOUSTON 4-H CLUB CO-LEADER WAYNE BITTLE

The Kaleidoscope Discovery Center is a non-profit organization designed to offer activities to youth in several counties with regard to engineering, science, technology, the environment, arts and math (ESTEAM). Volunteers on hand at the robotics workshop were all students at Rollas Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Our goal is to get kids exposure to these subjects, said Kaleidoscope volunteer Matt Trimble, especially in communities where they might not normally have access to it. The specific thing were doing here is part of the robotics outreach initiative, and were trying to go to areas where schools might not have the funding or opportunity to have these kinds of robot kits in the classroom.

Trimble said the visit to Houston was fruitful.

Its working out well here, he said. Its always really fun to see the kids get excited about working with these kits. And nine times out of 10, they end up being quick learners and picking things up faster than youd expect.

Platos Clover Kids 4-H Club has had an active robotics program for a couple of years. Leaders in the Houston and Licking clubs plan to introduce robotics as a project option, and preparation is taking place for a regional Robotic Rumble competition July 29 in Plato.

Kaleidoscope Discovery Center volunteer Drazen Gonzalez assists Houston 4-H Club members, from left, Hunter Swingle, Ethan Lee and Ben Cook.

Were training them with kits that will be used in the competition, Trimble said. Hopefully that will give them a jump start on it.

Robots are cool, and teach kids programming and engineering skills and they have fun doing it, said Houston club co-leader Wayne Bittle.With the techno age we are in, it comes natural to kids and the sky is the limit on what they can do.

For more information about 4-H clubs and activities in Texas County, call MU Extension regional youth development specialist Janice Emery at 417-967-4545.

The conference room at the Lone Star Annex in downtown Houston was abuzz with activity during a 4-H robotics workshop June 12.

Originally posted here:

Area 4-H clubs participate in robotics workshop - Houston Herald

June 21, 2017 00:01 ET | Source: BCG

photo-release

BOSTON, June 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global market for robotics is growing far faster than expected and is projected to reach $87 billion by 2025, according to new research by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

An infographic accompanying this announcement is available athttp://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c45dc00e-2f62-4c33-b41a-1bc1caa3ceae

Updating its previous estimate of $67 billion from three years ago, the management consulting firm recently revised its forecast sharply higher, mostly because of soaring consumer demand. In a new paper released today, Gaining Robotics Advantage, BCG projects an additional $14 billion of growth in the consumer sector to $23 billion, an increase of 156% over its earlier estimate. (See exhibit.)

Much of the accelerated growth will come from the consumer market because of applications such as self-driving cars and devices for the home, explains Vlad Lukic, a BCG partner and coauthor of the paper. Projected growth in the commercial sector accounts for the rest of the adjustmenta 34% increase to 22.8 billion.

Many factors contributed to the need to revamp the estimates. First, in the space of just one year, from 2014 to 2015, private investment in the robotics space tripled, according to BCG. Fueling the surge in interest are falling prices, rapidly advancing capabilities, and components usable in a far wider range of industries and applications than many observers had originally envisioned.

In 2016, the robotics field experienced a dramatic shift toward consumer-focused applications and a sharp increase in robotics companies in the consumer space. Today, robots can vacuum and mop floors, clean gutters, tutor children, provide home surveillance and security, and act as companions and home health aides for loved ones.

Since 2012, 40% of new robotics companies have emerged in the consumer sector, outpacing growth in the military, commercial, and industrial sectors. The military sector has accounted for 26% of new robotics companies, the commercial sector 24%, and the industrial sector just 10%, according to BCGs proprietary analysis.

Alison Sander, head of BCGs Center for Sensing & Mining the Future and a coauthor of the article, says that all sectors will feel the effects once consumers begin to buy robots. As people become more accepting of robots in their everyday livesembracing everything from robot vacuum cleaners to telepresence workers in the officethey will begin to demand more such products. This will attract more investment capital and drive further advances in robotics capabilities.

Mel Wolfgang, a BCG senior partner and article coauthor, notes that adding robotics to a business is a strategic decision, not just a capital investment. It requires rethinking and fundamentally altering staffing levels, product mix, manufacturing footprint, and other aspects of the business model.

The challenge for forward-looking companies is to figure out how to use robotics to gain a competitive advantage. This may mean identifying the sweet spot where a hybrid mix of human worker and machine delivers the biggest payback, or it may involve creating an entirely new business model, Wolfgang says. Management needs to act now to develop a point of view, test and pilot robotic applications, and invest in infrastructureincluding laying the foundation for a digital supply chain on the factory floor.

The paper offers a framework to help companies approach robotics in a strategic, disciplined, and pragmatic wayand improve their odds of achieving a long-term, sustainable edge.

A copy of the paper can be downloaded at http://on.bcg.com/2rsBQoy.

To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Eric Gregoire at +1 617 850 3783 or gregoire.eric@bcg.com.

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