Comments on: Flirting with Robotics Research

By: Clement Nyirenda

Clement Nyirenda — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:40:10 +0000

@Robots: I saw robots being taught at the University of KwaZulu-Natal when I was doing mt MSc in Computer Engineering. Having come to Japan, I have found that the robots program that I saw in UKZN has so many deficiencies. For RSA Universities to become world class robotics research centres, they need to establish links with some leading Universities in Japan or the US.

By: Robots

Robots — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:48:45 +0000

In South Africa, robotics is being taught at Universities. The University of Cape Town for example, has a Robots and Agents research group. They also participate in the RoboCup (robot soccer).

Stellenbosch University also has a similar setup. They are very strong in their biomedical robotics research.

Although, I do agree with you. More needs to done. Robotics must go beyond research groups into industry and homes.

By: neil

neil — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:20:03 +0000

How broad and common are robots in everyday use for any situation, even in Japan? What I mean is, does every household in Japan or anywhere else have a Rosie the maid from The Jetsons type of a robot doing the cooking, cleaning, dishes, shopping, machinery maintenance & repair, chopping wood for the fire place, etc? If they do, please let me know where I can order a few of them; I could use that for a holiday gift idea here in the U.S. If not, why is it that the concept of a mechanical servant, which has been around for about a century, has not made its way into our lives, yet? We do use them in the assembly line and some people own a Roomba, but it’s not the same. I doubt we will ever have a practical robot that you can buy off the store shelves, at least ones that are anthropomorphic – and this might be the key to the problem; instead of trying to make something anthropomorphic we ought to consider a means that is more practical for the ends. This is why I’m going through so much trouble to patent technology that achieves this very objective. If I were running a college or university anywhere in the world I wouldn’t bother wasting time or money with starting up robotics courses or departments without having a good and practical reason for doing so. Look at what Prof. Mark Yim at the University of Pennsylvania is doing, or look at what Prof. Wei-Min Shen at the University of Southern California is doing. Check out the M-Tran, Victor Zykov’s work, or Prof. Eric Klavins work at University of Washington. Do this if you’re more interested in practical and beneficial uses. On the other hand, if you’re only interested in plastic or metal dolls or crash test dummies then continue to stick to the anthropomorphic approach. I’m not trying to be hostile, I’m just trying to address the underlying problem with this issue as well as give a little nudge of persuasion from my own personal humble opinion.

By: Oakland Personal Injury Lawyer

Oakland Personal Injury Lawyer — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:17:03 +0000

Though it is amazing how far robotics have come, it is equally amazing how far the technology still has to go.

I hope that developing countries can still get in on the ground floor, before it is too late.

By: Dell Battery

Dell Battery — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:08:25 +0000

Robotic Research has been involved in the design and development of Autonomous Mobility software for most autonomous ground robotic systems currently being used in the U.S. Army.

By: Prime Ayala Avenue building makati

Prime Ayala Avenue building makati — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:59:39 +0000

Lets try new things….this is fun robotics give us the opportunity to learn new things

By: edhitok

edhitok — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:30:16 +0000

Yes, i agree.
We have to focus on robotics for now.
This is robotic era.

By: einehc

einehc — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:55:10 +0000

You’re right! universities in my country do not offer courses about Robotics.They are only give brief overview about it. People are very talented, so it is a great idea to allow students to learn new things especially in robots. For me, it is very exciting!!