Feature of the new Robotic Hand from DARPA

The scientists have created a wonderful artificial prosthesis for people who have no hand. This new robotic hand will allow a person to feel things again.

The new hand was built in the Applied Physics Laboratory at John Hopkins’s University. And according to a source, the robot arm is called the DEKA Arm System.

So now we can rejoice for cripples without hands. These people have a chance to feel like a complete person again. For more information on the device, you can read below.

Source: techradar, theguardian

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A few days ago, there was one of the main events of the year in the field of robotics – summarizing competitions DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC).

The competition was attended by 16 robots developed by teams of researchers from around the world. The winner was named member of the jury on the basis of compliance with the mandatory program, which consisted of eight different tasks: driving, crossing the bricks, climbing stairs, overcoming landslides, passage doors, passage walls, twisting valves and hose connection to the connector.

So, the table of results is as follows:

For successful execution of tasks to each robot awarded a maximum of four points. In this case the maximum grade did not affect how fast the robot cope with the task. It was necessary only to invest in the allotted to each task 30 minutes.

Unfortunately, grants for further development and modernization of their robots Agency Defense Advanced Research Projects USA (DARPA) will receive only the first eight teams. Their decisions come together again in the final battle in the contest DRC in 2014. It is worth noting that the losing team will also be able to take part in the finals, but the source of funding for the improvement of robots they have a look for yourself.

Eight finalists DRC is as follows:

1. SCHAFT
2. IHMC Robotics
3. Tartan Rescue
4. MIT
5. RoboSimian
6. Team TRACLabs
7. WRECS
8. Team TROOPER

According to DARPA, each of these teams can count on grant of up to $ 1 million, of course, it all depends on the conditions of the contract.

Best with the specific task coped following robots:

• driving: WRECS;
• transition on the bricks: SCHAFT;
• climbing stairs: SCHAFT;
• overcoming collapses: SCHAFT;
• passage doors: IHMC Robotics;
• passage walls: IHMC Robotics;
• twisting valves: THOR;
• hose connection to the coupling device: SCHAFT.

Best results in most categories showed robot company SCHAFT, owned by Google. Not so long ago, the search giant also acquired Boston Dynamics , developer humanoid robot Atlas and other interesting projects.

SCHAFT robot is based on a HRP-2. It weighs about 100 kg, and height – 1.5 m

By the way, the prize money in the finals DRC, which will be held in December next year, is $ 2 million

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NASA experts have created a robot that will take part in competitions DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) with a prize fund of $ 2 million

Humanoid robot Valkyrie growth 183 cm and a weight of 125 kg has 44 degrees of freedom and is equipped with all kinds of sensors. According to the space agency, a mobile robot and agile enough to perform rescue missions in disaster areas.

During the interview with the resource IEEE Spectrum project manager in Valkyrie Space Center. Nicholas Johnson Radford said that Valkyrie is designed especially for the contest and DRC differs strong legs that allow the robot to move easily over rough terrain. As mentioned above, the robot is equipped with a plurality of sensors that help him determine the location, speed and applied to objects mechanical force. In addition, almost all parts of the robot’s body (head, arms, knees, legs, torso) placed camera sensors that provide visual information. Additional information on the sensors comes from hydraulic joints and laser scanner LIDAR.

Unlike other contestants – ATLAS robot , “Valkyrie” is equipped with a built-in battery capacity of 2 kWh, not cables that severely restrict freedom of action. The battery is located in a compartment on the back of the robot. In terms of autonomy Valkyrie creators promise to work for about an hour in the intensive mode. By the way, the modular design allows the robot to replace in a matter of minutes, not only the battery, but also my hands.

It is worth noting that Valkyrie is based on other humanoid systems NASA, in particular exoskeleton Robonaut. However, it differs completely new technology, and its lightweight body and legs make it stable aimed at performing tasks on earth, not in space.

Mr. Radford also said that the team has paid due attention and a lot of time designing the robot design. Metal components Valkyrie covered with special material, which in addition to protective functions gives Valkyrie aesthetic appearance.

It should be noted that NASA is funding another project codenamed Valkyrie – «kriorobot”, which works on the creation of the company Stone Aerospace, equipped with a special laser to penetrate through the thick bowl of ice on the satellite in Europe. However, this mission will not mated with “Valkyrie”, developed by a team of Nicholas Radford. According to him, at the moment comic agency more interested in Mars and perhaps, Valkyrie will soon become a full-fledged member of the team colonists.

Finally it is worth mentioning that the creation of Valkyrie team from 55 people took nine months.

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Lately Agency Defense Advanced Research Projects USA (DARPA) has presented some pretty promising developments. Among the latter it is worth noting the fleet of underwater drones Hydra and “Universal Soldier” Warrior Web . At that DARPA is not going to stop, and already thinking about the space shuttle.

It should be noted that the currently existing solutions or those that are being tested, and could not live up to expectations. The launches of spacecraft such as the Space Shuttle and SpaceShipTwo are complex and are very expensive. If DARPA announced the XS-1 program will be a success, it will soon be commercial space travel can be a daily occurrence.

As part of the agency plans to develop unmanned spacecraft, developing speed, which is 10 times greater than the speed of sound. As planned DARPA, XS-1 will be able to at least 10 with payload within the 1400 – 2300 kg for 10 days. In this case, the cost per flight will be less than $ 5 million.

It is worth noting that the XS-1 program will complement ALASA (Airborne Launch Assist Space Access), in which DARPA plans to put into orbit satellites weighing less than 50 kg, using a converted aircraft as a platform to launch the rocket. In this case, the cost of running should not be more than $ 1 million.

Currently, DARPA is open to suggestions on the program XS-1 and planned about this special event, which will take place on October 7.

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Not just Chinese companies really appreciate the benefits of flying drones. The Agency for Defense Advanced Research Projects USA (DARPA) has also failed to ignore the rapidly growing segment of robotics. In the near future, DARPA plans to build a fleet of underwater drones deployed in ocean waters worldwide. The project is called Hydra.

At the moment the project is in the early planning stages. Last month, the agency organized the presentation of Hydra at Johns Hopkins University in order to arouse the interest of defense contractors who can provide some good ideas on the implementation of the program. As planned by DARPA, drones must quickly deliver supplies and equipment for the personnel of the Navy (Navy), United States, located near coastlines in submarines and ships and even on airplanes.

During the presentation, DARPA explained that the main objective of the project is the design and development of a network of drones that will be able to store and transport a payload of all kinds, not only in the air, but under water. The official documentation from DARPA presentation focuses on the ever-increasing number of countries without a stable government and the pirates, who crushed Navy resources, which in turn negatively displayed on the amount of necessary operations and patrols. The project Hydra agency also expressed a desire to explore the possibility of building a so-called maternal underwater drones, which will become a platform for the launch of the smaller drones aimed at use in battle. In this case, control of the platform and the drones will be using the remote control. Probably for most of this idea is the stuff of science fiction, but do not underestimate the DARPA.

Recall, the agency already has some pretty promising projects in development, including the form of military Warrior Web , flying car Transformer TX and humanoid robot ATLAS .

DARPA said resource InformationWeek , that drones will be equipped with Hydra standard containers under different load and will be able to store it for a month. The agency will accept offers investors until October 22. Before that time, no one will take an interest in the project, it will have to roll. If successful developments DARPA promises to showcase the work of Hydra already in 2018.

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The Agency for Defense Advanced Research Projects USA (DARPA) has officially stated that it is ready to proceed to the second phase of the program Warrior Web, aimed mainly at the soldiers.

According to DARPA, the soldiers in the infantry missions often carry electronics, supplies, weapons, and other cargo weighing up to 50 kg. In overcoming long distances extra weight increases the risk of injuries of the musculoskeletal system in such sensitive areas as the knees, ankles, hips and lower back. 

Over the past few years in the web quite often there are news about the development of special exoskeleton, which reduce the power of exercise on the soldiers, but they tend to turn out to be quite practical. In contrast to the large number of cumbersome exoskeletons Warrior Web suit is so easy and convenient, it can be worn under normal uniforms.

In the current prototype suit implemented technologies that enhance the power of the joints, the weight is distributed throughout the body and provide a kinesthetic sensations (feelings position of different parts of the body and the muscle forces produced during the movement). In the configuration of the costume also includes a plurality of sensors designed for diagnosing a soldier in order to increase his endurance missions.

The so-called phase “B” implies a search for ideas for improvement and commercialization. Special event for interested parties will be held on September 5. Currently, DARPA is looking for ways to improve existing technologies and examines the materials and fabrics that will suit the most convenient and invulnerable. The Agency is also interested in the opinion of experts on the question of the potential use of costume in physiotherapy and rehabilitation for people with limited mobility.

At the moment, there are three laboratories DARPA working prototype Warior Web, but the agency hopes that this year will focus on one of them.

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First on the program Transformer TX, which aims to create the first prototypes of vehicles that can move equally well on land and by air, the Agency for Defense Advanced Research Projects USA (DARPA) became known in 2009.

Recall that even if one of the requirements for flying cars, Transformers was the requirement to implement the feasibility of vertical take-off and landing, as the rocket Grasshopper . The draft Transformer TX agency DARPA is going to take on vehicles and helicopters strengths and combine them into one vehicle that can transport soldiers and weapons by land and air, reports ExtremeTech.

Last week, during an exhibition Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International were shown several concepts of the project Transformer TX. More than three years of development was enough, and now a team of engineers Lockheed Martin, received the contract to build the Transformer TX, ready to begin the third phase of the project, which allocated $ 20.3 million – to begin work on the first prototype. This concept specialists Lockheed Martin joined several technologies from different fields, ranging from autonomous drones and ending with ducted propellers. The project, which some time ago that another attempt to create a flying car, now looks much more real than ever.

One of the main features that allows Transformer TX less vulnerable than modern military helicopters, a special design of the propellers. Instead, the rotor is mounted on the roof of a car in a pair of ducted propellers. It should be noted that this development is not new and has repeatedly met in real life (blimps, hovercraft and aircraft Martin Jetpack ), and the company Lockheed Martin has been using this technology in their fighters vertical takeoff and landing, for example, model F-35. However, at the same time with the channel fans to improve fuel efficiency and increase the maximum speed for level flight in an F-35 jet engines used. 

According to preliminary data, Transformer TX on one tank of fuel will be able to cover the distance of 400 km. This is almost two times lower than the usual range transport helicopter Sea Knight.

However, the benefits from ducted propellers as much. In size they are much less compared to the rotor, which makes them safer. Thus for this system equipped with landing flying vehicle require less space (about half of the area required for a conventional helicopter). It is also known that Transformer TX will have a modular design.

If it was initially planned that the vehicle will be able to carry four passengers and will be like a sedan with a rotor of a helicopter and small plane wings, now discusses a wide range of functions and the payload: the military, equipment, food, and even all-terrain Humvee. Another key feature of the project will be the Transformer TX system of autonomous flight. Perhaps it will be control by remote control or from a special protected cabin, located inside the vehicle. Unfortunately, other details have not been disclosed.

Incidentally, another requirement for compliance Transformer TX is given size – not more than 2.6 m in width and 9.14 m in length. This will allow it to move freely in the single-lane road.

Lockheed company plans to begin testing a miniature version of the Transformer TX (1/3 of actual size) in wind tunnels by the end of the year, and the first working prototype will be ready in 2015.

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