Learn and think about Robots

First of all, I give a "two thumbs up" to the Terminator TV series. That's no small endorsement as I have very high expectations for the Terminator line (including the movies). The time travel stuff is always fun, but of course it's the robotics that I like. Unfortunately, we know what it is like when humans lack morality (Stalin, Hitler, Son of Sam, etc.). This series explores super-humans with no morality. To all future roboticists: Please program Asimov's three laws into your creations.

Jan 25, 2008, Robot Learning

As mentioned below, only a fifth of the cost of deploying a robot on a factory floor is the cost of the robot itself. The rest of the cost is programming the robot, developing the tools and developing the manufacturing processes. A company called Skilligent is working to reduce the cost of programming the robot. They announced the commercial release of a robot learning software. The main concept behind the software is that it can learn skills directly from humans without programming. This opens the door for building robots that don’t require traditional programming as they can be trained “out-of-the-box” by a non-professional user. This link will lead you to some videos showing the process.

Jan 3, 2008, Indian robots toil on global shop floors

Lower labor cost is the reason often cited for off-shoring manufacturing jobs. So why would it be cheaper to use robots in India than in the USA? It's because only a fifth of the cost of deploying the robot is the cost of the robot itself. The rest of the cost is programming the robot, developing the tools and developing the manufacturing processes. It will be a long time before we automate that part of the equation.

November 28, 2007, University Programs in Robotics

Q. My students in Middle School would like to know about the list of universities that offer programs in robotics that you are compiling. Can you share what you already have? I don't want them to email strangers on their own. Thanks.

A. The term robotics has become so broad that it now applies to just about any electro-mechanical system. I think every University in the country that has an undergraduate engineering program also does something in robotics.

Here are some schools that have graduate programs in robotics: MIT, Stanford, CMU, UTexas Austin, UTexas Arlington, UFlorida, UMichigam, UTennessee, USC, UWashington, UHawaii and Georgia Tech. I'm sure there are many more.

Your students might like to read Rossum's Universal Robots by the Czech writer Capek. That's where the word robot comes from.

October 22, 2007, I can't resist a plug for my Alma Mater

A team of faculty and students from Rice and Freie Universität Berlin researchers hopes to vie this November for the $2 million prize in the prestigious international robotics competition "Urban Challenge," sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=9982

August 30, 2007, University Robotics Programs

I'm compiling a list of Universities that offer programs in robotics or mechatronics. I'd appreciate any input to help with the list. email Rich

August 1, 2007, Robotics Job Opening

Rich,

We have a client in the Automobile industry who is seeking several
candidates for the following position: Paint Robotics Technicians
Anyone who'd like to apply can e-mail their resume to me at ...

See the learn about robotics jobs page for more information.

http://www.learnaboutrobots.com/roboticsJobs.htm

April 18, 2007, Robot Bill of Rights?

Check out this story describing a proposed robot bill of rights:

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/03/07/tech-robot-ethics.html

A robot bill of rights is as silly an idea as I've heard in a while. The robots we are envisioning for at least the next 50 years are computer-controlled electro-mechanical systems. These machines deserve no more rights than vacuum cleaners. We'll treat these robots a lot like cars. They'll be expensive so we'll insure them. As they get older and older they'll be worth less and less. Eventually the robot will break or be damaged so much that it won't be worth fixing. Then it will be off to the junk yard. Robots with any sort of self-awareness on the level deserving of rights aren't even on the drawing board yet. Fruit flies with less than twenty neural connections can fly, avoid obstacles, find food and mate (however it is that fruit flies mate). Fruit flies deserve a bill of rights more than robots do. My opinion is that robot "brains" made of computational machinery that transmit only electrical or optical signals will never achieve self-awareness or be deserving of rights.

Beyond 50 years out we might start seeing androids that take advantage of chemical transmitters in their "brains" for a computational architecture that is orders-of-magnitude more sophisticated than the computers we have now. Even more interesting would be rights for cyborgs that combine biology with electro-mechanical systems. I can easily imagine an electro-mechanical dog with a real-dog's brain transplanted into it. What sort of rights would that have?

March 18, 2007, Who is really thinking about robots these days?

I had an interesting phone call the other day with a writer for the New York Times magazine. He was wondering where innovation in robotics was taking place and mentioned the Darpa Grand Challenge as a point of interest. I think the Darpa Grand Challenge promotes a great deal of engineering innovation, but robotics innovation? The challenge is everything but grand. A common ant can get around by itself. Ants identify targets, work cooperatively with other ants, find food and mate. That's infinitely more than any of the vehicles in the Darpa Grand Challenge. My opinion is the Darpa Grand Challenge vehicles are far below common ants in robotic achievement.

So who really is innovating and thinking about robots these days? Are there still people thinking on the level of Huxley, Asimov or Capek?

March 2, 2007, Do you have any experience making androids? Email question

I don't have any experience making androids. I do have some experience making humanoids. They are usually easy to make. After that it's at least 21 years of work to make them human. I know because I am working on three of my own.

I expect making androids would be similar. They would be on the easy side to make, but would take a lifetime to teach. My favorite android is Commander Data from Star Trek Next Generation. The android astronauts in the Alien movies are also pretty cool.

Feb 25, 2007, Robocide is not allowed. I'm not the only one that feels this way

"It was inappropriate to use depression and suicide as a way to sell cars," said Robert Gebbia, the executive director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Feb 04, 2007, 2007 - GM Super Bowl Robot Commercial Tragedy Violates the 3rd law

I like robots and robotics. I do not like this commercial. I believe the image of a robot throwing itself off a bridge and committing robocide is irresponsible. What if a person loses their job because they dropped a bolt? Should that person jump off a bridge too?

Maybe GM is implying the robots and people that work at GM are so bad that the only other jobs they could get would be waving signs or holding speakers?

Asimov's Third Law of Robotics - "A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law." Is GM implying that robots must start destroying themselves to protect humans? That is the only way this commercial could comply with the third law - even if the robot was just "dreaming."

Jan 29, 2007 - Plumber or engineer? Email question

Hello, I am currently a 17-year-old high school student in Alberta. I am very interested in becoming a robotics engineer. The thing is I'm not sure if robotic engineering is really what I believe it's going to be...Maybe you can guide me. I am planning to go to UofA (University of Alberta) http://www.ualberta.ca/ and then taking the courses I need to get a PhD in Robotics Engineering: http://www.engineering.ualberta.ca/ (I'm not sure if they offer that course)

After I passed the requirements, I would maybe like to get some experience maintaining robots/get hired for robotics designs around Edmonton and Cold Lake (Northwest of Edmonton): http://www.1clickhotels.com/maps/Alberta%20Map.gif

My real goal though would be to start a project kind of like Kiberton: http://www.kibertron.com/ Except maybe get some funds from somewhere like Honda, the government or the Canadian Forces (I'm planning to either be the designer of a big android project for civilian/commercial or industrial uses or possibly, hopefully a military project.) High hopes eh? How much chance do you think I have at succeeding? Do you think I can do it by going to UofA? Would I be obligated to move around the country? Is it a good job for supporting a family?

Thanks alot, I really hope you can help me

PS. My friend and I were having this debate. He's going to go in trades and become a plumber/electrician. I said I was going to go to university and become an engineer. He says that I'm going to waste 6 years, he'll be filthy rich, he'll be able to retire when he's young and I'll spend all my life trying to make as much money as he could. Is this true?

According to Rich - Thanks for the thoughtful email. First of all, I recommend that you go the
university route. It will not be a waste and you will learn a lot. You will not regret that choice.

Can you make more money in engineering or in the trades? Understand that neither engineers nor "tradesmen" are going to make a lot of money on the ground floor. Going the trades route, you can start your own business and ultimately have a number of plumbers, electricians, etc. working for you. If that sounds interesting, you might go to a university and study business. As an engineer you can also start your own business and have other engineers working for you. Or you could work at a bigger company and have a number of engineers reporting to you (I have about 15 engineers reporting to me). Either way, as you grow in your career you will be more successful if you learn to coach, mentor, leverage and direct others.

Did I mention that I recommend the university route? That’s not the only way, but you will have more options.

PS I asked my son what he thought about your email. Here’s how he replied:

According to Rich's son - Well, you'll have to work with the questions appertaining to the job itself (ie. Moving around the country, having a family. Then again, I guess you are a robotics engineer, and I am your son. So that would answer the family question.)

But I think he should know that, at least to me, it seems like a questionable idea to create plans for a future based upon a certain string of events happening without flaw - making it into UofA, then earning a PhD, then getting a job in robotics, and at last coming up with his wonderful android or military project. If he is truly interested in robotics for the field itself, then this plan will certainly bring him to a sense of contentment/fulfillment, despite any changes in the plans that may occur along the way. However, if his only, or at least main, incentive for pursuing this career path is to end up in the final scenario he's listed here, then he may need to reconsider. What if the PhD doesn't go as planned? What if he isn't able to land a job on a major project right off the bat? Also, his specific interests such as these may change. He needs to ask himself if he's really interested in the field of robotics, and not only in completing the path he's outlined here. If the answer is yes, and an outline is all this is, and he is truly willing to go forth with this, then I'm sure he could be happy as a robotics engineer.

As for his debate with his friend... I'll let you handle this one. If all his friend can think about is how to do him one better by becoming fat and happy first, then I really haven't got anything to say.

Jan 11, 2007 - How do I find a job in robotics? Email question

I get emailed this question more than any other. I would say a “job in robotics” means you are getting paid to design, build, deploy or maintain robots. So what industries design, build, deploy or maintain robots? The answer to this depends a lot on how we define “robot.” There are six-axis industrial robots used in the auto industry, wafer handling robots used in semiconductor manufacturing, robotic surgeons, robotic airplanes, robotic vacuum cleaners and the list goes on. I call it robotic if it is a computer-controlled machine with moving parts. Based on that definition, there are companies that design, build, deploy and maintain robots in just about every industry you can think of. There are companies that make robotic products and there are companies that do custom robotic systems. I'm sure you can find them using Internet searches or by networking with people you know. I don't personally recommend any one company over another.

Building, deploying and maintaining robots could be very interesting. You would be on the "ground floor" working with robots every day. To get started a person might consider a technical college degree. Networking with people you know or have worked with in the past is always a good idea. Somehow you will need to demonstrate by experience or training that you are qualified.

To get a job designing robots or robotic systems you are almost certainly going to need a four-year engineering degree. Many robotics engineers will have Master’s degree and there are plenty of PhD’s around. You also need to understand that when you first graduate college, even with a Master’s degree, you will be a very junior engineer. Robotic systems are typically the most complex systems a company will make. You will need to first focus on a subsystem, such as the mechanical, electrical, computing or software systems. Once you have become an accomplished engineer in one of those fields, you can move up to the more advanced systems engineering role.

November 4, 2006 - Snake Arm Robot For assembly in tight places

This is a "snake" extension to a standard industrial robot. It looks to me like the snake section has about ten segments. The long thin profile allows it to work in tight places with the initial applications being inspection and sealing inside of aircraft wings. The long thin profile will also make it pretty flexible and limit it to applications requiring low precision. There is a picture of the actual system on the lower, right-hand corner of the page.

October 14, 2006 - Remote Controlled Robotic Medic The Bear

Bear stands for Battlefield Extraction And Retrieval. This is a remote controlled walking robot designed to pick up and carry wounded soldiers to a safer position. It has a very high payload capacity of 500 pounds but the cool thing is that it can travel on it's feet, knees and even while practically lying down and still carry its payload. I can easily envision this technology being extended to civilian applications such as search and rescue in burning or unstable buildings. I wonder if the Bear could carry heavy fire hose into buildings?

August 31, 2006 - Linux-powered robots from France? Oui!

A French start-up created to build autonomous, easily programmable, affordable humanoid robots has emerged from stealth mode. Aldebaran Robotics, of Paris, expects to ship its first product -- a humanoid household service robot running Linux -- in early 2007.

August 23, 2006 - Robotics Job Opportunity Came by email

Job Summary:

Develop original algorithms and software code to produce practical solutions to unsolved problems in the deployment of outdoor mobile robots.

Essential Functions:

* Program robotics platform using C/C++
* Develop creative approaches and algorithms in order to minimize the need for sensor input
* Work with a team of 3-5 other engineers in the development of the software and robotic platform
* Work with technical product manager to ensure all customer requirements are met effectively

See the Indy Robotics website for more information

August 9, 2006 - Robotics Job Opportunity

Dear Richard,
We are currently helping a client fill the following position:

Position: MES Consultant - OSISoft,
Job Id: 4492
Job Location: Northeast
Job Type: Employee

Description:
Are you looking for challenging assignments and opportunities for personnel growth in a collaborative and team-oriented environment?

Our client is a Manufacturing Consulting and Systems Integration company specializing in MES applications and any other projects that require knowledge in both Information Systems and manufacturing processes. They are currently seeking a MES Consultant specializing in OSISoft for projects in the Life Sciences industry.

This company offers a flexible and open work environment focused on client satisfaction and employee growth through the practical application of advanced systems technologies to solve mission critical problems. They invest in their employees through training and development so that they can deliver maximum value to our customers.

This individual will work in a growing IT consulting organization focused on delivering manufacturing and supply chain system solutions. Duties will include leading or participating in consulting engagements, as well as helping clients define, justify, plan and implement technology solutions for manufacturing and supply chain environments across the U.S. and Canada.

The position can be based anywhere in or near the greater Philadelphia or mid-Atlantic area. The job requires travel to client locations on a periodic basis.

Successful candidates will possess some or all of the following experience and qualifications:
• Experience in the design, configuration, implementation, and integration of manufacturing or supply chain systems.
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing OSISoft solutions, specifically PI Batch and PI Data Warehouse implementations
• Bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred
• Experience in applying industry standards (such as SCOR, ISA S88, and ISA S95)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Willing to travel extensively within the US.
• Experience in the Life Sciences (pharmaceutical, bio-tech, etc.) industry is preferred.

July 12, 2006 - Omnibot "Vintage Robot"

The Omnibot was a cool little robot made in the mid 1980's. For you vintage robot collectors, this site has some parts you might be able to use.

May 5, 2006 - Amazing Walking Robot

I don't how long the batteries last or any details, but this is really something to watch.

March 10, 2006 - Liquid water on Saturn moon Enceladus may well support life

The most exciting discovery imaginable. We should send a robotic spacecraft to investigate as soon as possible. Can someone please tell GW Bush that we've already sent people to the moon? He must not be aware of that because he's making a big deal of his plans to send people to the moon. That's diverting much-needed funding that should go to robotic missions.

The following sites help pay the bills:

Exify - Online directory of litigation support consultants

Wright Brothers Pictures - Beautiful lithographs based on pictures from their own camera