Robotics, Past, Present, and Future

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Robotics, Past, Present, and Future

• Susan Eileen Fox
• Macalester College
• September 5, 2004

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Science fiction robots
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Real-world robots

• Manufacturing, Security, and Exploration

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Real-world robots

• Consumer and Recreational

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Classes of robots

• Deterministic
• Human moves robot through task, robot replicates
  task
• Remote-control
• Human actively controls actions
• Autonomous
• Robot moves independently in the world
• Assisted/Assistive
• Robot assists human in controlling its actions

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Robotics in the past

• 1960s Shakey, first robot arm, SRI cart
• 1970s Voyager space probes, multi-legged robots
• 1980s improved communications and computers
  onboard!
• 1990s AAAI Robot Competition, Mars rover,
  Handyboard
• 2000s Affordable robot hardware and software

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Macalester robotics Lego robots

• Mindstorm and Handyboard controllers
• Lego motors and parts
• Sensors
• Touch sensors
• Light sensors
• Rotational sensors
• Sonar and IR sensors
• CMU Cam

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Macalester robotics Lauren and Humphrey

• Pioneer 2 DX robots
• Onboard Linux computer
• Wireless Ethernet
• Forward and rear sonar sensors
• Video camera
• Gripper

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Current robotics research

• Kismet (MIT)
• Wheelesly (MIT)
• Autonomous vehicles (CMU)
• Mars robots (NASA)

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Current research test beds

• Mars exploration
• Robocup
• AIBO movie
• Search and Rescue

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Future of robotics 10 years

• Manufacturing more intelligent robots move in
• Security and exploration
• Patrol surveillance
• Miniaturization
• More autonomous robots
• Consumer and recreational robots
• Lawnmowers, vacuums, kitchen appliances become
  mainstream
• Prosthetics and intelligence wheelchairs hit the
  market
• Automated vehicles/Smart roads
• Robot toys of increasing intelligence
• NOT true intelligence, androids, science fiction
  imaginings