robots.net blog for jmhenry

Robots Make a Difference in Science and Technology Education

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:08:00 GMT

Photo Credit: Nic McPhee http://flickr.com/photos/nicmcphee/ The question of how to help American students succeed in high tech subjects continues to be on the forefront of public discussion nationwide. One of the answers is occurring on a regular basis in communities...

Next-Generation Robot Inspector for Nuclear Power Plants

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:09:16 GMT

A fast, reliable robot is needed to minimize downtime when nuclear reactors are inspected. Energid is developing this robot just for that purpose. Also, this robot could be used for disaster work in damaged reactors such as the ones disabled...

Robots That Can Be Controlled From Orbit

Wed, 6 Jul 2011 21:09:54 GMT

Photo Credit: NASA Robots have long been the pathfinders for the exploration of space. Surveyor landers went to the surface of the Moon to test out the surface before men walked on it. Mars has been host to a number...

Robots Taking Over Typical Human Roles in the Job Market

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:07:24 GMT

Photo Credit: The U.S. Army's photostream Two stories this week caught my attention. Both are among examples of robots moving into jobs that were once the sole province of humans. As the photo above suggests, sometimes we are being dragged...

Robots Powered by Waves on Missions to Help Humans Understand Oceans

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:08:13 GMT

Here is a story about a unique robot able to harvest energy from the environment. Using a patented system of cables and fins, the robot is able to use waves in the ocean to propel itself through the water. There...

Robot Uses Bernoulli's Principle to Crawl Up Walls

Thu, 26 May 2011 23:09:46 GMT

The drive to develop robots that can traverse any type of surface, including vertical ones, has taken many approaches. As far as climbing walls, robots have relied on adhesives, magnets, and other types of gripper mechanisms. Now comes air. That’s...

RobotCity Workshop - Where You Can Make Your Own (Robot) Friends

Wed, 7 Jul 2010 03:09:00 GMT

Photo Credit: RobotCity Workshop RobotCity Workshop may well be the only store of its kind in the country, a visionary shop with the slogan "Make your own friends." Education has been a central part of this establishment's mission for years,...

NASA Plans for Space Robotics Team

Thu, 6 May 2010 16:14:17 GMT

Robonaut 2 and Robonaut 2 Photo Credit: Courtesy NASA So, imagine a team of robots – all kinds of robots – some with wheels, some bipedal, some that fly. Now imagine those robots working as partners with astronauts on some...

Underwater Robots Work in Cold, Dark to Stop Oil Spill

Tue, 4 May 2010 05:09:36 GMT

In a desperate effort to stop the massive oil leak occurring in the Gulf of Mexico, robots are attempting to seal off the well spewing the crude. These machines are controlled from the surface by operators trained to operate them...

Hawaii Student Robotics Teams Face Oil Spill Problem Similar to One Off US Coast

Sun, 2 May 2010 05:09:39 GMT

In a case of simulation imitating life, high school students in Hawai’i are faced with finding solutions to a theoretical oil spill. The problem eerily mirrors the massive oil spill now occurring in the Gulf of Mexico. Robots are being...