did usa just release fully functioning
female robots
america has long been a forerunner in
several other revolutions industrial
technological and digital
but just how prepared is united states
for the robotic revolution let's find
out
above the average
the world's average robot density is 74
robots per 10 000 employees according to
the world robot statistics with 189
robots per 10 000 employees the u.s sits
comfortably above the average however
despite welcoming robotics to automotive
production lines as early as the 1960s
the nation is still perceived as keeping
automation at arm's length in 2016 the
country began to climb the robot density
ranks and today we rank 7th in the world
behind south korea singapore germany
japan sweden and denmark
this figure has been significantly
boosted by the necessary modernization
of u.s production facilities as well as
a growing demand for products made in
the u.s
what's more robot sales in the us are
expected to increase by at least 15
percent per year between now and 2024.
put simply the market is showing no
signs of slowing down
despite the rapid uptake in automation
more than 70 percent of americans still
express wariness and concern about the
rise of robots in our workplaces perhaps
they have read the report by the
mckinsey global institute stating that
73 million current u.s jobs could be
replaced by automation by 2030.
this sounds threatening but is the robot
revolution really such a bad thing
maybe not
arguably not
consider this as an example a
manufacturer that saves money on labor
by using automation has two options
lower product prices or generate more
profit
both outcomes can result in increased
investment higher demand and in turn
more opportunity for employment this
isn't just theoretical
in europe the spark research project is
a partnership scheme set to increase
europe's robotic adoptions it's
estimated that it will help create 240
000 jobs on the continent as a result of
implementing and maintaining automated
processes
amazon also provides a u.s example of
this phenomenon albeit in warehousing
rather than manufacturing
over three years the company increased
the number of robots in its storerooms
from 1400 to a colossal 45 000.
during the same period the rate at which
the company hires workers did not slow
as the company's capacity also increased
due to automation
increased use of robots forces a shift
from manually intensive labor to jobs
that require human skills skills that
robots cannot replicate
rather than overseeing repetitive
manufacturing tasks such as the pick and
place and assembly processes usually
associated with scara robots increased
automation can let workers manage more
complex roles
america not shying away america didn't
shy away from spearheading the
industrial technological or digital
revolutions as a nation it cannot ignore
the growing implications of failing to
adopt today's robotics and automated
technologies the us needs to further
embrace the robotics technology or risk
getting left behind in the global
manufacturing race
however during the last 10 years fast
and furious advancements have still
sprung forth from every corner of the
american robotics industry touching just
about every aspect of humankind from
business and travel to defense and
public safety and yet as we unpack this
last decade in robotics what are the
robots that really stood out
which ones leaped out at us from the
text in web pages and newspapers to
transcend the industry and make us gasp
with wonder and amazement let's hear it
the curiosity rover
over 50 years after humanity went to the
moon we still look up at the stars in
awe and wonder seeking out the mysteries
of the universe back in 2012 the
curiosity rover from nasa brought the
universe a little bit closer to all of
us with its momentous touchdown on the
gale crater on mars
the landing helped reinvigorate interest
in the red planet all over the earth and
in the years since the rover's landing
it has provided the scientific community
with a memorable catalog of scientific
discoveries and insights
in 2020 the news from curiosity
continued filled with selfie photos too
dji mavic and phantom
drones and the various ethical and
practical questions surrounding them
dominated much of the robotics
conversations in the 2000s of all the
drones produced in the decade the dji
duo of the mavic and phantom remained
the standard bearers for the consumer
market
these portable impeccably designed
drones brought these robots power to a
broader audience for better or for worse
spot and the boston dynamics robot
stable
the hub of the united states is also the
consumer robot hub boston dynamics
became one of the most innovative
companies across any industry with their
rollout of spot a versatile useful and
adorable robot dog that captivated the
world when released
spot along with their other standouts
like atlas showed a fascinated public
that the world of robotics is closer to
everyday life than anyone ever thought
robonaut r2 and r5
an entire generation grew up thinking of
the evil hal from 2001 when it came to
technology in space nasa's robonauts the
r2 and r5 models went a long way to
making space tech friendly again r2
blasted off in 2011 and helped out with
menial tasks aboard the international
space station r5 went to another peak
for space robotics giving the robot the
ability to walk and perform even more
high-tech missions
anki cosmo and vector
these adorable robots from anki are the
gold standard for robotic household pets
for the family cosmo is the one for kids
with a personality geared towards fun
and development and the soul of a pixar
character
vector is more of a rolling alexa or
siri style personal assistant device
both of them made robotics around the
household seem as familiar as a blender
alarm clock or vacuum cleaner
also notable with the anki cosmo and
vector the resurrection story of the
product which went from bankruptcy in
2019 to rebirth in 2020
lego mindstorms ev3
stem education is the buzzword for the
next generation of young minds and
robots are a key teaching tool for kids
everywhere
the best example of an educational robot
for these future rock stars the lego
mindstorms ev3 an immensely popular and
immensely accessible robot released in
2013.
who knows what kinds of innovations this
incredible robot inspired
mayfield robotics curry mayfield
robotics unveiled the intelligent curry
robot at the ces 2017 trade show in las
vegas
characterized by personality awareness
and mobility the robot is said to add a
spark of life to any home the smartbot
can understand context and surroundings
recognize specific people and respond to
questions with facial expressions head
movements and unique sounds
sourcing the many beloved robots of
popular culture like r2d2 and wally this
mechanical buddy can also be defined by
its adorable personality and
extraordinary connectivity abilities
stanford university snake robot
stanford university researchers have
developed a snake-like robot that grows
like a vine by squeezing through
hard-to-reach places the sole aim of the
prototype is to act as a search and
rescue device moving through rubble and
small openings in order to reach trapped
survivors by delivering them water
the snake starts as a rolled up inside
out tube with a pump on one end and a
camera positioned on the other side once
initiated the device inflates and grows
in the direction of the camera while the
other side stays the same
festo octopus gripper just like an
octopus has no hard skeleton and is made
almost entirely of soft muscle festo has
applied this concept to soft robotics
the resulting creation is the octopus
gripper robotic arm a flexible silicone
structure fitted with two rows of
suction cups just like its natural model
the octopus gripper robot is the latest
work of the company's bionic learning
network a series of robots that use
biology as a model copying the grip
mechanisms of different animals once
compressed air has been applied and the
tentacle curls inward it wraps around
the object in question in a gentle if a
little creepy manner where a vacuum is
used to its suction cups
boston dynamics handle
the google-owned robotics firm boston
dynamics released a video of their
latest creation which goes by the name
of handle unlike some of the companies
previously showcased robots that stand
up on either two or four legs like spot
mini handle navigates on two small
wheels
the undeniably human-like bot can roll
back and forth go down steps spin in
circles jump squat and pick up crates
furthermore it can also navigate down
snowy hills and perform stunts that seem
more suited to a pro skateboarder than a
research robot
that is all for today folks see you
another time