Daily Archives: May 9, 2017

TechCrunch

The new robotic ecosystem to take the stage at TechCrunch Sessions: Robotics TechCrunch At TechCrunch Sessions: Robotics, on July 17 at MIT's Kresge auditorium, the programming lineup is set to showcase the fast developing new ecosystem around robotics. For a long time robotics was more the domain of academic research, defense spending, ...

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The new robotic ecosystem to take the stage at TechCrunch Sessions: Robotics - TechCrunch

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Will your next home be built by robots? Well look at the growing robot boom and American jobs.

The robots just keep coming. Each generation more deft and capable than the last. The latest headline: Will your next home be built by robots? Maybe so. Robotics are moving into all kinds of fields. Factories, yes. But well beyond now, to work sites, offices, homes. Robots are sensing and seeing the world ever great clarity. And being deployed into ever more roles. Will they put on your next deck? Fill your next cavity? Up next On Point: Robots. The jobs theyre doing. The jobs theyll do next. Tom Ashbrook

Charlie Wood, reporter for the Christian Science Monitor. (@walkingthedot)

Howie Choset, professor of robotics at Carnegie Mellon University.

Ken Goldberg, professor of industrial engineering and operations research in robotics, automation and new media at the University of California, Berkeley.(@ken_goldberg)

Claire Cain Miller, correspondent for the New York Times, covering gender, families and the future of work for the Upshot. (@clairecm)

Christian Science Monitor:Will your next home be built by robots? "This Jetsons-like vision of an automated future has come largely true for car manufacturing. Now engineers hope buildings will be next. From Apis Cors 3-D printed house to the MIT Media Labs new multipurpose robotic arm, startups and research teams alike aim to spark a digital revolution in an analog industry that has thus far proved resistant to disruption."

TechCrunch:Abundant Robotics rakes in $10 million for apple harvesting robots "While pessimists see robots as 'bad for jobs' in agriculture, robots could be a critical means of increasing food production while keeping costs, and the environmental impacts of farming, as low as possible."

New York Times:How to Prepare for an Automated Future-- "Consider it part of your job description to keep learning, many respondents said learn new skills on the job, take classes, teach yourself new things. Focus on learning how to do tasks that still need humans, said Judith Donath of Harvards Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society: teaching and caregiving; building and repairing; and researching and evaluating."

This program aired on May 8, 2017.

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Robots And Our Automated Future | On Point - WBUR - WBUR

Michael A. Heffron brings nearly 40 years of defense business experience including having served as President and Chief Executive Officer of DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc. from January 2011 until its sale to Garmin in March 2016. Mr. Heffron was also a member of the DeLorme Board of Directors. Mr. Heffron had a distinguished career at BAE Systems plc. with multiple leadership positions as the President of Electronics Intelligence & Support Operating Group (EI&S), Member of the BAE's Executive Committee (2007-2011), President of Platform Solutions Unit responsible for the design, development and production of systems for the commercial & military aviation markets (2006-2007), and as Head of BAE's newly formed Information Warfare business 2001-2006).

Endeavor Robotics also proudly announces that LTC Charlie Dean, USA, RET has joined as VP of Sales Worldwide. Prior to joining Endeavor Robotics, Charlie held positions at QinetiQ North America as Director of Business Development, Co-Director of Engineering, and Senior Program Manager for Unmanned Systems, and as a career US Army officer. Charlie served 22 years in the US Army where he served as an Infantry officer and held a variety of leadership positions including Director of Operations and Customer Interface at the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center. Charlie also held positions at Draper Labs as Senior Business Development Manager and at TIAX as EVP and VP of Commercialization and Deployment. Charlie holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively.

"Not only have our robots been used to investigate and destroy many tens of thousands of IEDs, the robots' light weight, multi-functional, interoperable capabilities ensure that they can meet the demanding requirements of many varied user communities including dismounted warfighters, counter-IED organizations, HazMat and CBRNeteams, incident response teams in power plants or factories around the globe. We at Endeavor Robotics continue a long legacy of supporting our customers 24/7 with world-class robots while leading the advanced development of next-generation systems," said Charlie Dean, VP of Global Sales.

"Endeavor Robotics leads the development and fielding of the most capable, robust, unmanned ground robots in the world.The additions of Mike and Charlie to our team positions us well to serve and maintain our 6,000 installed robots and to continue the rapid development of next generation systems needed for today's evolving threats," said Sean Bielat, CEO, Endeavor Robotics.

About Endeavor Robotics

Endeavor's robots serve on the front lines around the world. Endeavor Robotics brings an established leadership team with decades of experience integrating ground robotic systems, and the best roboticists who collaborate with end-users to develop robots for worldwide markets which operate in areas of conflict and in response to natural disasters. Everyday our robots protect our service men and women from IEDs, hazardous materials and other deadly threats. Endeavor Robotics specializes in delivering and supporting battle-hardened and adaptable robotics. We are committed to design, develop and manufacture tactical robotics in the United States, and to work with industry leaders and government partners to deliver innovative, reliable, and the easiest to operate robot solutions. Our family of robots includes the 5 lb FirstLook, the less than 20 lb SUGV, the man-portable PackBot, and the heavy-duty Kobra. To date, we have delivered more than 6,000 robots to more than 40 countries worldwide. Please visitwww.endeavorrobotics.comto learn more.

Upcoming Tradeshows include:

Press Contact Jonathan Lesser Endeavor Robotics (978) 769 9372 Jlesser@endeavorrobotics.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/endeavor-robotics-announces-key-additions-to-board-of-directors-and-worldwide-sales-team-300453159.html

SOURCE Endeavor Robotics

http://www.endeavorrobotics.com

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Endeavor Robotics announces key additions to Board of Directors and Worldwide Sales Team - PR Newswire (press release)

The club TECH of Katy and its VEX IQ robotics team The InVEXibles were named the VEX IQ Challenge Middle School World Champions at the 10th annual VEX Robotics World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. With coachCoach John Pixton in the back row are Jack Vultaggio, 12; John Patrick Pixton, 12; and Aiden Quinton, 11; front row: Michael Pixton, 10; Ben Vultaggio, 9; and Ethan Quinton, 9. less The club TECH of Katy and its VEX IQ robotics team The InVEXibles were named the VEX IQ Challenge Middle School World Champions at the 10th annual VEX Robotics World Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. With ... more Photo: TECH Of Katy At the Maker Fair, they're trying out their first robot Gears of Fear in a VEX robot skills challenge. From left are Ethan Quinton 9; Jack Vultaggio 12; John Patrick Pixton 12; Ben Vultaggio 9; Aiden Quinton 11; and Michael Pixton 10. less At the Maker Fair, they're trying out their first robot Gears of Fear in a VEX robot skills challenge. From left are Ethan Quinton 9; Jack Vultaggio 12; John Patrick Pixton 12; Ben Vultaggio 9; Aiden Quinton ... more Photo: Catherine Pixton

Experimenting with new robot designs for Worlds competition are, from left, Ben Vultaggio, Michael Pixton, Jack Vultaggio, Ethan Quinton, John Patrick Pixton and Aiden Quinton.

Experimenting with new robot designs for Worlds competition are, from left, Ben Vultaggio, Michael Pixton, Jack Vultaggio, Ethan Quinton, John Patrick Pixton and Aiden Quinton.

Working on improving design and build of the original robot, "Gears of Fear" are, from left, John Patrick Pixton, Ethan Quinton, Aiden Quinton, Jack Vultaggio, Ben Vultaggio and Coach John Pixton.

Working on improving design and build of the original robot, "Gears of Fear" are, from left, John Patrick Pixton, Ethan Quinton, Aiden Quinton, Jack Vultaggio, Ben Vultaggio and Coach John Pixton.

Young Katy robotics team earns world championship

Organized only last fall, the VEX IQ robotics team of the Technology and Engineering Club for Homeschoolers of Katy returned home in April from the 2017 VEX Robotics World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky as VEX IQ Challenge Middle School World Champions.

The success is nice but a surprise, according to John Pixton, coach of the InVEXibles robotics team. The computer/software engineer explained that the club began with the goal to gather everyone together to learn how to build a robot and how to program it.

The 9 to 12-year-olds belonging to the club "were pretty much self-motivated to keep improving," said Pixton, who's worked with Scouts and coached basketball but was making his initial venture into robotics.

"We did competitions not really thinking too much about that (winning) because we were new. We didn't have that mind-set; it did not occur to us. We kept improving and kept moving up."

They were surprised after they started entering matches and kept coming out on top of other teams, he said. Club members are 12-year-olds Jack Vultaggio and John Patrick Pixton; nine-year-olds Ben Vultaggio and Ethan Quinton; Aiden Quinton, 11, and Michael Pixton, 10.

Catherine Pixton, a homeschool mom for about eight years, explained her oldest son wanted to learn about technology this year and that was one of the catalysts for forming a team and building a robot. The robotics club involves the Pixtons and the oldest sons of two other homeschool moms Jean Quinton and Bridget Vultaggio.

"When we started we wanted the kids to do something as a team effort," said Catherine Pixton. "We wanted them to learn about engineering and robotics and programming and still have time for competition."

Having not attended competition before, they had no idea what to expect. About five weeks after the club was formed, the team competed Nov. 13 in Houston.

"They got to see some of the other robots and heard stories from other teams," she said. "They felt really encouraged and excited after that."

Their first robot named Gears of Fears was really big and could do everything, she said, but it was slow. So the team redesigned the robot and while it could no longer do everything, what it did do it did very fast. They won a championship in Galveston in January.

That motivated the boys who got excited to see if they could get better at driving skills and programming, she said. After learning about sensors, they redesigned their robot and renamed him "Heavy Lifter." With both speed and multiple skills, he competed well and earned the team its title.

In addition to competition victories, the team also won recognition for its research about the use of drones in agriculture.

The InVEXibles are taking a break for now.

"Pretty much the last couple of months there was a lot of effort getting the robot ready and testing," said John Pixton.

The team probably will wait until June to get started on a new challenge, though they're excited and want to start right now, added Catherine Pixton. "They're chomping at the bit and talking about ideas for a robot they're going to build."

The VEX Robotics World Championship featured student-led teams from elementary school to college representing Canada, China, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. The InVEXibles alliance partner was The Gladiators of Ontario Canada.

An April 26 news release from the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and VEX Robotics announced the winners.

The April 20-25 championship hosted 1,400 teams from more than 30 nations.

"It was real exciting to go to world and see different competitors from different countries and to see all the different people and different robots people came up with," said Catherine Pixton.

Visit http://www.vexworlds.com and http://www.RoboticsEducation.org for more information.

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Young Katy robotics team earns world championship - Chron.com

NAO robot. Photo courtesy: Paul Bremner/UWE

Iwas asked to write a short op-ed on the European Parliament Law Committees recommendations on civil law rules for robotics. In the end, the piece didnt get published, so I am posting it here:

It is a great shame that most reports of the European Parliaments Committee for Legal Affairs vote on its Draft Report on Civil Law Rules on Robotics headlined on personhood for robots because the report has much else to commend it. Most important among its several recommendations is a proposed code of ethical conduct for roboticists, which explicitly asks designers to research and innovate responsibly. Some may wonder why such an invitation even needs to be made but, given that engineering and computer science education rarely includes classes on ethics (it should), it is really important that robotics engineers reflect on their ethical responsibilities to society especially given how disruptive robot technologies are. This is not new great frameworks for responsible research and innovation already exist. One such is the 2014 Rome Declaration on RRI, and in 2015 the Foundation for Responsible Roboticswas launched.

Within the reports draft Code of Conduct is a call for robotics funding proposals to include a risk assessment. This too is a very good idea and guidance already exists in British Standard BS 8611, published in April 2016. BS 8611 sets out a comprehensive set of ethical risks and offers guidance on how to mitigate them. It is very good also to see that the Code stresses that humans, not robots, are the responsible agents; this is something we regarded as fundamental when we drafted the Principles of Robotics in 2010.

For me, transparency (or the lack of it) is an increasing worry in both robots and AI systems. Labours industry spokesperson Chi Onwurah is right to say, Algorithms are part of our world, so they are subject to regulation, but because they are not transparent, its difficult to regulate them effectively (and dont forget that it is algorithms that make intelligent robots intelligent). So it is very good to see the draft Code call for robotics engineers to guarantee transparency and right of access to information by all stakeholders, and then in the draft Licence for Designers: you should ensure maximal transparency and even more welcome you should develop tracing tools that facilitate accounting and explanation of robotic behaviour for experts, operators and users. Within the IEEE Standards Association Global Initiative on Ethics in AI and Autonomous Systems, launched in 2016, we are working on a new standard on Transparency in Autonomous Systems.

This brings me to standards and regulation. I am absolutely convinced that regulation, together with transparency and public engagement, builds public trust. Why is it that we trust our tech? Not just because its cool and convenient, but also because its safe (and we assume that the disgracefully maligned experts will take care of assuring that safety). One of the reasons we trust airliners is that we know they are part of a highly regulated industry with an amazing safety record. The reason commercial aircraft are so safe is not just good design, it is also the tough safety certification processes and, when things do go wrong, robust processes of air accident investigation. So the Reports call for a European Agency for Robotics and AI to recommend standards and regulatory framework is, as far as Im concerned, not a moment too soon. We urgently need standards for safety certification of a wide range of robots, from drones and driverless carsto robots for care and assisted living.

Like many of my robotics colleagues, I am deeply worried by the potential for robotics and AI to increase levels of economic inequality in the world. Winnie Byanyima, executive director of Oxfam writes for the WEF, We need fundamental change to our economic model. Governments must stop hiding behind ideas of market forces and technological change. They need to steer the direction of technological development. I think she is right we need a serious public conversation about technological unemployment and how we ensure that the wealth created by AI and Automonous Systems is shared by all. A Universal Basic Income may or may not be the best way to do this but itis very encouraging to see this question raised in the draft Report.

I cannot close the piece without at least mentioning artificial personhood. My own view is that personhood is the solution to a problem that doesnt exist. I can understand why, in the context of liability, the Report raises this question for discussion, but as the report itself later asserts in the Code of Conduct: humans, not robots, are the responsible agents. Robots areand should remain, artefacts.

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Thoughts on the EU's draft report on robotics - Robohub

The Malibu High School (MHS) robotics team in April became one of the top teams in the world, up from a comparatively low (but still impressive) 77th ranking following the world championships in 2016.

The MHS robotics team placed 15th in its division, 11th in the world in its skills challenge, and No. 5 in the world for its programming skills a sizable improvement from its 77th place last year and a big accomplishment for the five-man team comprised of seniors Sam Burton, Izzy Putterman and Jaime Le, junior Louie Putterman, and freshman Ben Burton.

This past April 19-22, the MHS robotics team competed for the second time at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Louisville, Ken. and made school history.

The competition went really well. We competed at a higher level than we have ever done before and we were able to out-compete the majority of other teams. Our record last year at Worlds was 3-7, which placed us in 77th place in our division. This year, we flipped that record, going 7-3, putting us in 15th place in our division, explained Le, who also competed last year in the tournament.

Through a series of round robin tournament matches, teams competed against each other and attempted to throw the most three-dimensional stars and cubes across a fence before time ran out. With challengers from around the globe, the MHS team fought hard to represent Malibu on the world stage.

The whole event was a great experience, captain Sam Burton noted. We competed with teams from across the globe, including China, the U.K. and the UAE. It was also good to reconnect with the teams wed gotten to know through the season ... One team we had competed with and tied with before losing to them in the finals went on to win the whole competition and become the world champions.

With international competitors came a whole new standard of competition. Putterman explained that the team was not only able to rise to meet the high standard, but was able to exceed it.

There were definitely some brilliant robots that took the design approach to a new level, Izzy Putterman said.

First-time world competitors Louie Putterman and Ben Burton saw opportunities for MHS robotics future.

[The tournament] was cool to see all the different teams with all their robots ... It was fun being on the team this year, and hopefully next year we can get to worlds again, Ben Burton said.

Louie Putterman, who is following in his brothers footsteps, is the third member of his family to make history on the MHS robotics team; his brothers Harry and Izzy both competed in the 2016 VEX Robotics World Championships.

It would be amazing for our robotics program to be able to reach the world championships three years in a row, but this will take a lot of work, said Louie Putterman.

With the help of coach John Burton, a lifelong programmer, and advisor Brian Corrigan, the team was able to make their mark on the international level.

Overall, I think in the end [this was] an improvement over last year It just shows their dedication to the hundreds of hours they put in and John Burton put in. Just like last year, they worked a ton, noted Corrigan, who also teachers physics and engineering at MHS.

These accomplishments did not come easy. With language barriers among the teams and primarily an initial issue with the static of the fields, which slowed many robots down, the MHS team was forced to think on their feet and quickly came up with alternative methods to continue on in the tournament, according to the Malibu team.

Malibu seniors are hopeful that the two-year-old MHS robotics team will continue on long after they graduate.

Jaime, Sam and I have brought the club to a good spot. Ben and Louie are going to lead the club next year and hopefully more people join in, Izzy Putterman said.

My main hope is that this robotics program becomes a large and integral part of our campus and society of Malibu High, Le concluded.

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MHS Robotics Makes History, Again - Malibu Times

Submitted by Camdenton R-III School District, Special to the Lake Sun

It was an exciting four days for Camdenton R-III FIRST LASER robotic teams as they represented the lake area at the international FIRST robotics championship over the last week of April. This appearance marks the seventh time in eight years that the high school team has qualified to compete at the world championship. The excitement built as opening ceremonies approached and LASER was asked to provide an FLL Jr. team member to speak at opening ceremonies. Grace Law from Osage Beach Elementary was given VIP status and escorted to main floor of the dome where she stepped in front of a teleprompter and introduced a FIRST sponsor and speaker from Monsanto. After the opening ceremonies Grace got to meet FIRST founder Dean Kamen and FIRST President Don Bossi. The Camdenton High School 4-H FIRST LASER team competed in the Tesla Division. The team brought home the coveted Championship Underwriters Laboratory Safety award. This award is given to a team that progress beyond safety fundamentals by using innovative ways to eliminate or protect against hazards. LASER team co-captains Melissa Stout, Miranda Swarts and Hailey Green worked diligently throughout the school year to prepare pit crews and team members through trainings and safety education. In addition, the co-captains gave safety presentations to groups of judges and were required to answer questions regarding safety procedures, reporting and community outreach while making sure the teams pit and drive crew remains safe while working on the robot during and outside of competitions. The LASER program will be offering safety training for other teams next year at the St. Louis regional in an order to help other teams adhere to safe practices during the build and competition seasons. The HS LASER teams robot was ranked 11th in their division going into the last two matches which the team lost by a combined margin of eight points and slid them to a rank of 28th. The team was selected by the eighth alliance which was defeated in the quarter finals. The team is preparing for the Missouri State FIRST Robotics Competition which is invitation only. The Camdenton LASER robot is ranked #5 in the state rankings and will compete next weekend in St. Louis for the state title. In addition to the High School competing, eleven very excited teams of second and third graders from the LASER FIRST LEGO League Jr. (FLL Jr) teams traveled to St Louis to compete at Union Station with teams from South Korea, Russia, China and the United States. Teams represented all Camdenton R-III elementary buildings: Hurricane Deck, Osage Beach, Dogwood and Hawthorn. The FLL Jr program introduces teams to simple machines, research and coding. Each team had to build and program a moving model, research a real world problem, present a solution and be interviewed by judges. The FLL Jr. competition took place over three days culminating with an exciting awards ceremony at the American Center Dome in St. Louis. All eleven teams brought home awards. In addition to individual medals each team received a LEGO trophy made in Denmark. Picasso Award Camdenton 4-H LASER #4890 Hurricane Deck Elementary Team Spirit Award - Camdenton 4-H LASER #189 Dogwood/Hawthorn Elementary Rising Star Award Camdenton 4-H LASER #184 Osage Beach Elementary Terrific Thinker Award- Camdenton 4-H LASER #5631 Osage Beach Elementary Redefining Learning Award - Camdenton 4-H LASER #190 Osage Beach Elementary Gracious Professionalism Award - Camdenton 4-H LASER #186 Dogwood/Hawthorn Elementary Coopertition Award - Camdenton 4-H LASER #5630 Osage Beach Elementary Solid As a Rock Award - Camdenton 4-H LASER #185 Dogwood/Hawthorn Elementary Construction Innovation Award - Camdenton 4-H LASER #744 Dogwood/Hawthorn Elementary Master Programmer Award Camdenton 4-H LASER #9354 Hurricane Deck Elementary Amazing Movement Award - Camdenton 4-H LASER #5631 Dogwood/Hawthorn Elementary On Friday the district bused up the remaining team members from the Middle School and Oakridge Intermediate so they could support the other teams competing and could visit the innovation faire. The Innovation Faire had booths from large industry and hands on activities that students could participate in while visiting. In addition, all students were able to see inventions that FIRST founder, Dean Kamen, had on display. Students were also able to visit scholarship row where MIT, Yale, MS&T, WPI and other prestigious schools were showcased. In 2017 over $50 million in college scholarships are available through FIRST robotics. Several LASER alumni have been recipients of FIRST scholarships including current LASER senior Cameron Rogers. The Camdenton 4-H FIRST LASER team would like to thank all of its sponsors, mentors, parents and community members that have so generously supported the teams through sponsorships, donations and volunteerism.

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At Worlds: Camdenton robotics teams represent at international championship - Lakenewsonline.com