Humanoid robots, robots with a human-like body structure, have so far been primarily tested on manual tasks that entail supporting humans in their daily activities, such as carrying objects, collecting samples in hazardous environments, supporting older adults or acting as physical therapy assistants. In contrast, their potential for completing expressive physical tasks rooted in creative disciplines, such as playing an instrument or participating in performance arts, remains largely unexplored.
Robots are trained for specific tasks, such as cutting, using simulation. However, collecting real-world data is expensive, slow, and sometimes unsafe, particularly for tasks involving physical interaction. A new AI-based method co-developed by Aston University's Dr. Alireza Rastegarpanah could revolutionize the way advanced robotic systems are trained for real-life tasks,…
To effectively tackle a variety of real-world tasks, robots should be able to reliably grasp objects of different shapes, textures and sizes, without dropping them in undesired locations. Conventional approaches to enhancing the ability of robots to grasp objects work by tightening the grip of a robotic hand to prevent…