Buzz
Hollywood films frequently depict robots as malevolent and terrifying. Sci-fi classics such as Terminator and The Matrix were so influential that they led to robophobia—the irrational fear of robots and AI—among many individuals.
In reality, however, robots are entirely safe. With continuous technological breakthroughs, intelligent robots are set to enhance our lives, simplify our tasks, and help create a better, more comfortable world.
10. Tru-D
If a fluorescent light and a Star Wars droid had a child, it would look like Tru-D. This robot, which eliminates viruses and bacteria, is currently utilized in over 300 hospitals worldwide.
This quirky robot was created by Jeff Deal and his brother. They tested an early version of the robot in their garage by placing several plates with bacteria. After the robot emitted ultraviolet light for a few minutes, the plates were completely bacteria-free.
In 2014, Tru-D was put to the test during the peak of the Ebola outbreak in Africa. The results were remarkable. The robot successfully eradicated the virus entirely—but only from surfaces and equipment.
Tru-D cannot be used on humans. The ultraviolet light emitted by the robot is so powerful that it can damage human DNA. Still, Tru-D remains highly valuable and has the potential to save hundreds, if not thousands, of lives annually.
Duke University conducted a study to assess Tru-D's effectiveness. The researchers discovered that 'the instances of new patients picking up the virus decreased by more than 30 percent' when the robot was used.
In addition to its ability to eliminate germs with powerful ultraviolet light, Tru-D can also communicate, automatically shut down when a door is opened, and notify its operator once the task is finished.
9. HRP-2 Kai and Jaxon
Anime is one of Japan’s most significant contributions to contemporary pop culture. It's seen in songs, films, food, hairstyles, toys, and more. So, it's no surprise that a team of Japanese engineers designed anime-inspired robots.
In 2015, two anime-inspired robots, HRP-2 Kai and Jaxon, were introduced to the public during the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo. Unlike the anime designed for entertainment, these full-sized humanoid robots are built to save lives.
Due to Japan's location within the Ring of Fire, it is highly susceptible to natural disasters like the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Consequently, many Japanese robotic engineers are creating robots designed to assist in emergency situations.
The developers of HRP-2 Kai and Jaxon envision them as the future of search and rescue. These bipedal humanoid robots are capable of reaching places that are too dangerous or inaccessible for humans.
At the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo, HRP-2 Kai and Jaxon showcased their remarkable search and rescue abilities, including navigating through debris, overcoming obstacles, and putting out fires.
8. Pleurobot
Swiss robotic engineers have created a robot that mimics the movements of a salamander. Named Pleurobot, this robotic salamander can walk, maneuver around corners, and even swim. However, it needs to wear a bathing suit before it can enter the water.
The creators of Pleurobot hope neuroscientists will utilize their robot to gain a deeper understanding of how the nervous system—particularly the spinal cord—functions. They aim to develop new treatments that could help patients with spinal injuries regain the ability to walk.
Why would researchers design a robot inspired by a salamander? Salamanders are important creatures from an evolutionary perspective, even predating dinosaurs.
Beyond its ability to live both on land and in water, the salamander’s body shape closely resembles 'the fossils of the first terrestrial vertebrates.' This makes it an essential species for scientific study.
Pleurobot can also be instrumental in saving lives. Thanks to its unique design, this robotic salamander can navigate hazardous environments and assist with search and rescue operations following natural disasters like earthquakes.
7. TAUB
Miniature robotics are attracting the attention of many engineers. Due to their small size, these robots are suitable for a variety of applications, including search and rescue, surveillance, and cleaning up oil spills. Additionally, miniature robots are both efficient and cost-effective to produce.
In 2015, Tel Aviv University and ORT Braude College introduced TAUB, a robot inspired by locusts. While TAUB doesn’t have the shell or wings of a locust, it possesses the remarkable physical capabilities of the insect.
TAUB is capable of jumping as high as meters (11.5 ft) and covering a horizontal distance of 1.4 meters (4.5 ft). Even more impressive, it can jump 1,000 times before its battery runs out.
The engineers behind the TAUB project used 3-D-printed plastic, carbon rods, and steel springs to construct this miniature robot. Despite being only 10–13 centimeters (4–5 inches) long, TAUB is making significant strides in robotics for emergency response and surveillance.
6. Flying Robots
Flying robots (also known as drones) have primarily been used for two purposes—military operations and recreation. For years, the US military has employed flying robots to monitor and attack enemies. Meanwhile, everyday people can easily purchase drones online for less than $100 and use them for various purposes.
A team of researchers from the University of Twente in the Netherlands is working to expand the role of flying robots. They are exploring ways to deploy these robots to save lives, particularly in disasters like avalanches.
Flying robots can hover over hazardous locations that are inaccessible to human workers. Additionally, these robots have the advantage of being able to “see” more, helping them locate victims more effectively.
Experts predict that flying robots will become essential tools for search and rescue operations in the near future, especially in regions like the Swiss Alps, where avalanches frequently occur.
5. Snake Robots
Many people fear snakes due to their venomous nature. Their slimy, scaly, and slithering appearance doesn’t help either. However, this didn’t deter Howie Choset and his team from Carnegie Mellon University from creating robots inspired by snakes.
Fortunately, Choset’s robotic snakes are neither dangerous nor unpleasant. However, they do mimic the movements of real snakes with eerie precision. These snake-inspired robots can 'swim in a [moat], breach a fence, climb a flagpole, crawl through grass, [and] ride on top of bushes.'
Choset and his team have also equipped these robotic snakes with a light, camera, and sensors to help them navigate difficult terrains and overcome various obstacles. These robots can even be utilized in surgical procedures.
Unlike real snakes, which can be lethal, snake robots work to save lives. Choset and his team hope their creation can help rescue people in disasters like mine collapses or building demolitions.
The unique design of these life-saving robots allows them to access dangerous areas that humans cannot reach. In the future, snake robots may be brought along by rescue teams during search and rescue missions.
4. RoboSimian
When we think of NASA, words like spaceships, astronauts, planets, and space exploration come to mind. Robotics, however, isn't always associated with this agency. But in fact, NASA has been a trailblazer in the field of robotics innovation for many years.
In 2013, NASA took part in the DARPA Robotics Challenge, securing fifth place with their four-legged robot resembling a giant spider. Named RoboSimian, this creation by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory was designed to assist rescue teams during both natural and man-made disasters.
RoboSimian stands out from other robots by prioritizing careful deliberation and stability over speed and dynamism, which allows it to work more efficiently in high-pressure, emergency scenarios.
Affectionately known as 'Clyde' by its creators, RoboSimian has remarkable abilities. It can scale stairs, navigate through rubble, open doors, cut through drywall with a cordless power drill, and even operate a car.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory entered RoboSimian into the DARPA Robotics Competition once again in 2015, where it placed fifth, just as it had in 2013.
3. Walk-Man
Engineers at the University of Pisa and the Italian Institute of Technology have developed a humanoid robot capable of interacting with its environment and utilizing human tools. Named Walk-Man, this robot is designed to assist in emergency situations by working in hazardous areas that are unsafe for human rescuers.
Standing over 2 meters (6 ft) tall and weighing around 120 kilograms (260 lb), Walk-Man uses a 3-D laser scanner and a stereovision system to navigate its surroundings with precision.
What sets Walk-Man apart from many other humanoid robots is its ability to use both its upper and lower body for balance and movement. This allows it to perform tasks in a manner that is much closer to human motion.
Researchers are working towards enhancing Walk-Man's cognitive capabilities so it can operate independently. While full autonomy is the goal, engineers recognize that for more intricate tasks, a human operator will still be required to guide the robot.
2. Fish Robots
The goal of fish robots is not to assist humans, but to protect marine life. Researchers from Georgia State University and New York University are working on developing robotic fish that can guide real schools of fish away from human-made disasters, such as oil spills, or dangerous equipment like the underwater turbines of power plants.
The concept of fish robots is not new. The first prototype was developed two decades ago by researchers from MIT. While there have been significant advancements in the field, scientists still face a major challenge: they have not yet created the mathematical formula that would enable these robotic fish to swim in unison like a real school of fish.
Fish are intelligent creatures. They will only follow robots if those robots mimic the behavior and appearance of real fish in a school. Scientists have developed techniques to make robotic fish act and look like their natural counterparts. However, they have not yet figured out how to make these robots swim as a synchronized group to earn the trust of actual schools of fish.
1. Soft Robots
Soft robots are far from fragile. In fact, they are capable of performing intricate tasks, such as carefully picking up a raw egg, something hard robots might struggle with. These robots don’t rely on motors, hydraulics, or rigid joints. Instead, they operate using low-pressure air to create movement.
In 2011, researchers from Harvard University introduced a soft robot with no skeleton, designed to mimic the movement of worms, starfish, and squid. This robot can slither, fit into tight spaces, and crawl, all with a rather unusual and fluid motion.
Unlike their hard-bodied counterparts, soft robots won’t break if they fall or get scratched by sharp objects. This is because they are made from flexible materials called elastomers, which allow them to absorb impacts without damage.
However, Harvard's soft robot is vulnerable to punctures from sharp objects like thorns or broken glass. Still, soft robots have vast potential in fields that require intricate movements and careful handling, where traditional hard robots would be too rigid.
