MIT algorithms teach robot arms to think outside of the box (video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="MIT algorithm teaches robots to think outside of the mechanical box video" data-src-height="340" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/mit-lateral-thinking-robot.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Although robots are getting better at adapting to the real world, they still tend to tackle challenges with a fixed set of alternatives that can quickly become impractical as objects (and more advanced robots) complicate the situation. Two MIT students, Jennifer Barry and Annie Holladay, have developed fresh algorithms that could help robot arms improvise. Barry's method tells the robot about an object's nature, focusing its attention on the most effective interactions -- sliding a plate until it's more easily picked up, for example. Holladay, meanwhile, turns collision detection on its head to funnel an object into place, such as balancing a delicate object with a free arm before setting that object down. Although the existing code for either approach currently requires plugging in existing data, their creators ultimately want more flexible code that determines qualities on the spot and reacts accordingly. Long-term development could nudge us closer to robots with truly general-purpose code -- a welcome relief from the one-track minds the machines often have today.</div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xJg9YcO1lfc?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></div>

MIT algorithms teach robot arms to think outside of the box (video)

Although robots are getting better at adapting to the real world, they still tend to tackle challenges with a fixed set of alternatives th...

مزيد من المعلومات »

Insert Coin: HeatMeter wants to save your money and the planet (video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" dir="ltr" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/heatmeter.jpg" width="640" /> </div><div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"></div>Back in 2011, MIT discovered that the Fisker Karma's batteries only lost 10 percent of their battery life after 1,500 charges. Admittedly, the study didn't examine the EV's reliability, nor its tendency to spontaneously combust, but the MIT researchers did learn plenty about energy conservation in the process. Fast-forward to now, and YShape, a start-up spun off from that original research, is taking to Kickstarter to fund HeatMeter, a sensor that's designed to measure the efficiency of fuel-based boilers.<br />While electricity usage meters are ten-a-penny, it isn't so easy to find equivalents for gas, propane or oil-powered units. By measuring the vibrations in its casing, HeatMeter can tell you exactly how much energy has been used. Combine that data with your home size and average bill cost, and it'll work out what you're spending and how to use less. YShape, led by Radu Gogoana, needs $60,000 for the initial production run -- and will offer you a discounted unit if you kick in $129 -- or lifetime upgrades and support if you make it $149. Not convinced? Head on past the break for the video pitch.<br /><center> </center><b>Previous Project Update: </b>Securifi's Almond+ Touchscreen WiFi router smashed its original $250,000 target, and is now well beyond the $500,000 mark. With 18 days left to go, maybe this is another project destined to join the Million-dollar Kickstarter club.</div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/474874800/heatmeter-stay-informed-save-energy/widget/video.html" width="480"> </iframe></div>

Insert Coin: HeatMeter wants to save your money and the planet (video)

  Back in 2011, MIT discovered that the Fisker Karma's batteries only lost 10 percent of their battery life after 1,500 charges. Admit...

مزيد من المعلومات »

MIT crafts genetic circuits that remember their work through DNA

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /> <div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="MIT crafts genetic circuits that remember their work through DNA" data-src-height="454" data-src-width="619" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/mit-genetic-circuit.jpg" /></div>It's easy to find work on gene-based storage; finding genes that will do any of the heavy lifting is another matter. MIT believes it has a genetic circuit that will finally get to work, and then some. In using recombinase enzymes to alter DNA sequences serving as logic gates, researchers have developed a cellular circuit that not only mimics its silicon cousins, but has its own built-in memory. As the gate activation makes permanent changes to a given DNA sequence, any gate actions stay in memory for up to 90 generations -- and will hang around even if the cell's life is cut short. MIT sees its technique as having ultimate uses for areas where longer-term memory is important, such as environmental sensors, but could also see varying output values helping with digital-to-analog converters and other devices where there's a need for more precision. While there's no word on imminent plans for real-world use, the development raises the possibility of processors that could skip the traditional memory cache as they pass info down the family tree.<br /> </div></div>

MIT crafts genetic circuits that remember their work through DNA

It's easy to find work on gene-based storage; finding genes that will do any of the heavy lifting i...

مزيد من المعلومات »