Hasta La Gadget!

Yesterday we looked at a drone that’s meant to be used for peaceful purposes. We are now back to our scheduled programming. MBDA Missile Systems recently unveiled the CVS301 Vigilus system, a “suite of future strike weapons” composed of small UAVs that are deployed via a launch aircraft. Oblivion descends.

As shown in a demo video, the Vigilus system will be capable of deploying (at least) two types of UAVs from Armatus, a mothership that looks like two blimps fused together. The first UAV is Caelus, a “scout missile” meant to be used for recon and to paint a target for its big brother, the other UAV, which is called Gladius. Both have 1kg warheads, but the Gladius has enough fuel to fly for 2 hours, while the Caelus has a smaller range. The Vigilus system can be controlled either by soldiers in the battlefield or by an operator in a remote station. We’re screwedius.

What’s next, a ship with a nuclear-powered beam cannon? Zerglings? Check out the source links below for more terrifying information.

[MBDA via New Scientist via Emergent Futures]

Now here is a robot that while it might not be able to save lives of those who are drowning, it is still capable of making sure that a country’s troops do not suffer from any more unnecessary loss of life. iRobot, the company who has churned out the Roomba robotic vacuum cleaners, also does churn out other kinds of robots that will operate in hostile situations, including the front lines of combat and even in hostage situations. Known as the Packbot, this military-grade robot has seen service in detecting and disarming roadside bombs, performing tests on the structural integrity of the fallen World Trade Center after September 11, 2001, as well as performing reconnaissance in radiation-spoiled areas such as those around Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Emily robot lifeguard finally saves lives, FACE robot crosses over uncanny valley many times over,

Formation-flying quadrocopters have already given us hours of entertainment, but now they’ve also accomplished something serious. Earlier this month, mini choppers developed at Japan’s robot-loving Chiba University assisted in an emergency drill that simulated an explosion at a chemical plant. Four machines and a host computer (shown off after the break) used spherical markers, image processing and a heck of a lot of math to autonomously scan the site for survivors. The researchers claim the exercise went “very well” and that the local police force would like to “introduce this system” for genuine reconnaissance. That could include monitoring volcanic eruptions or inspecting power lines, but alas there’s no mention yet of using quadrocopter swarms to sneak up on yakuza.

Continue reading Swarming quadrocopters complete trial recon mission for Japanese police (video)

Filed under: Robots

Swarming quadrocopters complete trial recon mission for Japanese police (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 23:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We hear more and more about military drones that spy or even conduct attacks, but a company called Rotary Robotics knows that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs can be used for peaceful purposes too. The company is working on bringing affordable drones to the masses. So you can spy on your neighbors and attack them with water bombs.

Rotary Robotics calls their project Drones for Peace. The company has entered the MassChallenge program – a competition for startups and entrepreneurs – to boost the project’s progress. As for the drones themselves, they won’t be as high tech as the ones used by the military (nor should they be). The goal is to create $100 drones that are meant to take pictures from the air. To further reduce the costs, these drones won’t be controllable. Instead, users will tell the drone where or what to take a picture of via a smartphone app. Once the drone is launched, it determines its movements on its own, goes to the right spot, takes the picture and goes back. So scratch the water bomb attacks.

There are already alternatives for sale like the Parrot AR.Drone, but a $100 drone will be a game changer. Rotary Robotics hopes that their cheap drones will help enhance activism and citizen journalism, as well as help people do their jobs and of course have fun. Unfortunately, once they see this, thieves and perverts will also no doubt be eager to take their lows to new heights.

[via Fast Co. Exist]

That’s RUTH. In the end, she really amounts to a big robot arm with six joints, but Ford clearly has a soft spot for the faceless employee. First utilized in Europe, the Robotized Unit for Tactility and Haptics is currently at work helping to tweak the interiors of the company’s 2013 Fusions, turning data collected from customers across the world into the hard to define concept of “quality,” touching the trim, pushing buttons and turning knobs in the interior of the vehicle, in order to help provide what Ford says is, “the same type of quality they might feel if they were to buy a high-end luxury car.” The version of the arm dubbed Ruth 2.0 is currently being used by Ford alone in North America, and the company has extended her quality checking to include seat comfort in the vehicles. Check out a video of the long arm of the car company after the break.

Continue reading Ford wants you to meet its touchy, feely interior quality robot, RUTH 2.0

Filed under: Robots, Transportation

Ford wants you to meet its touchy, feely interior quality robot, RUTH 2.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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