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Latest Boston Dynamics robot. Impressive yet unsettling. Reminds me of the movie Chappie.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Startups/New-chip-for-robots-conveys-sense-of-touch-to-human-operators?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20220629123000&seq_num=20&si=44594 New chip for robots conveys 'sense of touch' to human operators Japanese startup partners with Tata to bring system to industries worldwide Extensive feedback from real haptics technology allows users to remotely handle delicate items, like potato chips, without damaging them. AYA ONISHI, Nikkei staff writerJune 29, 2022 07:54 JST TOKYO -- A Japanese startup is taking a major step toward commercializing real haptics technology that can replicate the exact feel and texture of objects, opening up new remote opportunities in health care, construction, manufacturing and other fields. Motion Lib, launched out of Japan's Keio University, will enter a partnership with Tata Consultancy Services as early as this month to develop an advanced haptics feedback system that can be used in a variety of industries. They aim to launch the system globally as early as 2024. TCS will also work on cloud infrastructure to store data of different tasks and movements that the system can carry out. TCS has a market capitalization of around 12 trillion rupees ($153 billion), more than IBM, operating in 46 countries and working with over 2,000 startups. It partners with over 500 researchers worldwide, including at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has the connections to introduce new technology to major corporations. Conventional haptics systems cannot replicate small differences in resistance, making handling delicate items a challenge. Real haptics technology, first put into practical use by Keio University project professor Kohei Onishi, can simulate minute tactile sensations, allowing users to pick up balloons and potato chips via a robotic arm without damaging them, or figure out how hard they can squeeze a cake before crushing it, for example. Onishi was also involved in the founding of Motion Lib. The startup has developed a proprietary chip which, when inserted into robots and other machines, can remotely transmit detailed tactile sensations back to the user. The technology relies on an algorithm to quantify firmness, resistance and other factors, and can track the user's movements down to a ten-thousandth of a second. It is expected to be used in a range of applications, from allowing doctors to "feel" patient organs during remote surgery, to having robots recreate techniques used by skilled craftspeople. Motion Lib is already testing the technology with companies and research institutions at home. It is working on plastering walls remotely with general contractor Obayashi. It also developed a PCR testing robot with Yokohama National University and other partners, allowing medical professionals to collect samples remotely without hurting their subjects. Real haptics could open up further remote opportunities in fields that traditionally have required a physical presence, including health care, construction, maintenance and agriculture. The proprietary chip designed by Motion Lib adds an extra layer of security, preventing the technology from being used for unintended purposes. (Photo by Aya Onishi) The technology could also be used to store specialized skills as tactile data, so they can be recreated remotely and passed on to future generations. "We are looking to commercialize the technology globally within two to three years in partnership with Tata Group," Motion Lib CEO Takahiro Mizoguchi said. For example, Japan is a leader in endoscopies and real haptics could bring that know-how to developing countries, where the expertise is not readily available. "Japan has stringent regulations for things like medical equipment, and the government currently has no framework for approving tactile devices," Onishi said. "It could take seven to eight years before we can commercialize the technology here," he added, explaining the push into overseas markets. Motion Lib and TCS aim to create the Internet of Actions, a digital databank that stores key skills from different industries as tactile data. They aim to eventually be able to download that data onto robots, so they can perform the tasks without a human operator. The global market for industrial robots is expected to double from 2021 to 2028 to over $165 billion, according to Statista. Real haptics could also augment users' strength, opening up new job opportunities for people with disabilities as well. But they could potentially be used for military applications as well. Motion Lib's system is designed so remote feedback and controls can only be activated on robots and machines with its proprietary chip. "We'll be able to protect the technology by keeping control over the chips," Onishi said.

It has been estimated that between 10%-40% of jobs could potentially be automated, fully or partly, in the next 10 years using artificial intelligence (AI). This will only accelerate as Silicon Valley and its likes around the world work on new technologies to disrupt every industry. Retail numbers are bad with e-commerce. Friends in banking are telling me they are expecting massive retrenchment in the next 5 years, with large scale branch closure and as automation takes root, with digital banking. In the US, Andrew Yang is running as a democratic presidential candidate on "freedom" dividend and making predictions that autonomous driving will cost 3 million trucking jobs in the US and another 4 million supporting jobs within 10 years. Some say lots of new AI / tech jobs will be created, guess that is why G is liberalizing FT policy for technology but I doubt they will be enough to replace local jobs that will be lost permanently. So what would be a futureproof job? I can think of plumbing, perhaps therapists and other clinical roles? Even prostitutes can be replaced with virtual reality! Perhaps 3-4 days work week will be here soon... just to keep all employed? With the end of lifetime employment, got to be prepared to be hired, fired and retrained several times over your entire working life. What is your view? https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2018/08/07/job-loss-from-ai-theres-more-to-fear/amp/

Roomba is an intelligent and effective vacuuming robot. All Roomba Vacuuming Robots feature iRobot

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Food-Beverage/Japan-s-Skylark-rolls-out-robo-waiters-for-contactless-dining?utm_campaign=GL_JP_update&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=4&pub_date=20211019090000&seq_num=20&si=44594 Japan's Skylark rolls out robo-waiters for contactless dining Restaurants seek solutions to labor shortages as restrictions are lifted Skylark has been testing the robot waiters at family restaurants in Tokyo. (Photo courtesy of Skylark) RISA KAWABA, Nikkei staff writerOctober 18, 2021 03:36 JST TOKYO -- Dinner will be served robot-style at 2,000 eateries run by Skylark Holdings, Japan's largest operator of family restaurants, by the end of next year. The robot waiters can ferry food for up to four people to a designated table, then bring dishes back once customers are done eating. In a trial that started in August in Tokyo, the robots cut the number of steps staff members took by half during busy periods. With authorities easing restrictions on dining out and other activities that had been curtailed over pandemic concerns, Skylark aims to compensate for the restaurant industry's chronic worker shortage without sacrificing service quality. Robot servers also reduce contact between customers and human staff, lowering the risk of virus transmission. The robots will be introduced by the end of April 2022 at 1,000 or so locations, including certain Gusto restaurants and all of the Syabuyo shabu-shabu Japanese-style hot-pot chain. By the end of that year, they will be at more than 60% of Skylark's roughly 3,000 restaurants across Japan. Funding for the robot servers will come from the 43 billion yen ($380 million) or so raised by Skylark in June, 6 billion yen of which has been earmarked for technology investment. Other recent tech moves by Skylark include the adoption of cashless payments in May 2019 and touch-screen menus in February 2020. The pandemic has spurred other Japanese restaurant companies to give robot workers a try. Saizeriya, an operator of Italian eateries, has been trying out robot servers since the spring of 2020, with tests of its third model starting this September. It plans to introduce them at busy locations once the results are in. Pub operator Watami now has robots serving dishes at 16 of its 26 Yakiniku no Watami barbecue restaurants in Japan.

Came across some robot vacumn cleaner and wonder any MCFers use it before. The price is not cheap (min $800) and I do not want another white elephant added to my storeroom.... Pls share your experience and better still, if you have any good deal for such gadget..

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/fancy-neck-rub-robot-can-do-job

Its interesting. Maybe we should apply one in congested road area P.S title typo: assist*

Any bro here subscribing to get the parts to fix up a Robi? 70 issues costing $2,000+ Cute little fella! I'm hooked.

Hi folks, I usually don't share such videos but this anime's animation is super slick and smooth I just felt like sharing. Enjoy! http://animatorexpo.com/robotontheroad/ Warning: a bit NSFW, the standard anime fare...Tiko rangers take note.

Hi folks, Saw this in Parkway Parade booth selling this robot vacuum cleaner. Seems good... Any review and is it worth considering? Thks

Hi all, Any users for the above? Worth buying ? Thanks

I think maids will be out of job soon.

Evolta robot to take on the Ironman Triathlon, conquer the course in a week unbelievable!! http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/17/evolta-...quer-the-cours/

I am talking about Gundam, Macross and Mechwarrior. If Transformers can rake in big bucks with such a lousy script, I don't understand why no other robot franchise is joining in. I think Gundam 0080 or 08 Team can easily be converted into a 2-3 hr film

Sunday 3rd oct, 7pm channel 5. I thought it was I am legend. How come I see robots instead of zombies. Knn, someone kook up the video at media kook?

I think most of you, like me, will think there are two guys inside there.....

Hi all, I saw this car wif a cute-looking, led-flashing + moving robot on the rear speaker board. It was waving and blinking leds, pretty cute. But can be a tad distracting for the rear driver. So my front passenger took some pics to share share. [inline pic_2.jpg] [inline pic_1.jpg] But, later on as I am still behind him