The Future Is Here Today...Robots, Genetics, AI, Longevity, Singularity

Rodney Brooks, Co-Founder of iRobot, on to New Company

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by Aaron Saenz on September 17th, 2009

Rodney Brooks (right) helped Eduardo Torres-Jara (left) develop the Obrero bot. We could see a robot like this emerge as the flagship product for Brooks' new company: Heartland Robotics.

Rodney Brooks (right) helped Eduardo Torres-Jara (left) develop the Obrero bot. We could see a robot like this emerge as the flagship product for Brooks' new company: Heartland Robotics.

What do you do after you’ve climbed a mountain? Climb another one. Rodney Brooks, MIT professor, robotic guru, and co-founder of iRobot is developing another robotics company, Heartland Robotics. Along with Helen Greiner and Colin Angle, Brooks helped iRobot become a household name with the development of the widely popular vacuum bot, Roomba. Now Brooks is looking to improve the capabilities of the average worker with a new robot and a new robot company. Obrero, is a humanoid-like bot with a hand developed for sensitive manipulation, see the video below, and seems likely to be developed into Heartland’s chief product. The questions on everyone’s mind: can Brooks strike gold again, and will Obrero become the next Roomba?

In some cases, robotics have already entered and dominated the commercial workforce. As we’ve said before, KIVA, FlexPicker, and desktop dispensing bots are at the top of their specialized fields. On the retail side, Roomba is still a popular product after 7 years. Brooks may be able to blend the two fields by combining industrial level capabilities with retail-level prices.

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MIT Helps Little Dog Navigate Rough Terrain

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by Aaron Saenz on September 15th, 2009
MIT is teaching Little Dog new tricks in navigation.

MIT is teaching Little Dog new tricks in navigation.

Sometimes robot videos just make me laugh. CSAIL at MIT has been working with Boston Dynamics’ robot Little Dog, helping it navigate rough terrain in novel ways. The scrappy quadruped can dynamically shifts its weight on two legs at a time, helping it climb slopes and stairs, and generally get around.And as soon as Little Dog gets where it’s going, it promptly flops down on its belly much like a real canine. The careful steps followed by exhausted collapse gets me every time. Check out the video from BotJunkie below, and look towards the end (1:44) to see for yourself.

Little Dog’s journey is part of Phase 2 of DARPA’s Learning Locomotion Program. As those who read our War 2.0 story know, a larger version of the robot, aptly named Big Dog, is being bred to work as a mule for soldiers in the field. That bot can haul loads and keep walking even after a hefty kick (see its video below). The navigating and stepping routines that CSAIL teaches Little Dog are going to be directly portable over to Big Dog.
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The Autonomous Forklift

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by Andrew Kessel on May 14th, 2009

Here at Singularity Hub, we are interested in the different types of robots capable of doing a normal person’s job.  We have discussed Honda’s Asimo (who replaces the average butler) and recently talked about KIVA Systems’ warehouse robot (which makes redundant all members of the Storage Rack Lifters Union).  In case you were worried about the KIVA feeling alone (why not worry about those unemployed storage rack lifters instead?), worry not.  The KIVA no longer needs to be lonely while toiling away at the warehouse.  Meet its new friend: the Autonomous Forklift.

Relax human, I will move that myself!

Relax human, I will move that myself!


The autonomous forklift, currently being developed by students and faculty of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Singularity Hub regulars known for the robot gardener and sixth sense) in conjunction with Draper and Lincoln Laboratories, promises to bring a new wave of futuristic technology to today’s warehouses.  This is not your average Roomba with tines stuck on the front; it is designed from the ground up in order to work with humans in a human world.  The forklift is able to sense its surroundings and make decisions accordingly, combining agility with intelligence and allowing it to act in a constantly changing environment.

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