Stephen Hawking supports the Intel Connected Wheelchair Project

Stephen Hawking supports the Intel Connected Wheelchair Project

Monday, September 15, 2014 / No Comments

Stephen Hawking has not yet gone into space as he dreams of doing in recent years. Meanwhile, advances in technology are helping to somewhat level the progress of his disease. It has just been the spokesman of a proposed wheelchair connected, developed by Intel to improve the lives of disabled people.

Stephen Hawking likes to remind regularly for a couple of tricks that is still alive and kicking. Until recently, it spread somewhat cryptic seeming to question the existence of black holes statements. One reason probably grow Hawking to stay in front of the stage, allowing you to sell your books, is that his condition is very disabling and require constant and expensive care. However, it is probably more financially secure since receiving an award from the Foundation Milner worth $ 3 million.


It would be a mistake to believe Hawking lives for his passion for theoretical physics and cosmology. He is involved in several causes, including the disabled, on multiple occasions. Recently, even YouTube has been indirectly involved with their children in ALS Ice Challenge (Challenge bucket of ice water), whose purpose is to recruit funds for the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease, which suffered with others.

The physicist has just sensation by appearing in a video of the Intel Corporation, the company co-founded in 1968 by the famous Gordon Moore and is the world's largest maker of semiconductors. In fact, the master of general relativity for over ten years working with Intel on technological solutions to disability.

Indeed, already in 1997, Intel had provided Hawking a system that allowed him to communicate with a computer. Today it is a wheelchair strapped with connected electronics and sensors.

There is not yet a system able to read the thoughts of Stephen Hawking to allow them to express directly. This chair driver actually does not, even though in France a wheelchair controlled by thought, was carried out in the prototype stage, by engineering students of the school Sudria Esme. But he is able to monitor the health of a person with disabilities by measuring temperature, heart rate and blood pressure.

The chair can also allow a user to locate and identify accessible sites in proximity to the disabled. As explained by the researcher in the video presentation of the prototype connected to Intel chair: "Medicine can not cure me, so I'll leave it to technology Technology allows me to interact with the world, which allows me to move and it is. thanks to her that I can say right now. simply allows me to live. "Probably anticipating advances in neuroscience and connected computers, Hawking also asks developers to help push a new step concept of Intel for the benefit of all people with disabilities in wheelchairs.

The strongest robot in the world

The strongest robot in the world

Thursday, September 11, 2014 / No Comments

At Harvard University, a team created a robot made ​​of silicone that can move independently and resist the cold, fire and even run over by a car. This concept could pave the way for the production of more reliable and better adapted to extreme conditions robots.

A soft robot that plays hard ... Here is how you can describe the latest creation of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, which already has a concept of origami robot. A team led by Michael Tolley, postdoctoral research associate, developed an autonomous robot with no rigid skeleton that can withstand cold, heat and even run over by a car. 65 cm long, is in the form of a four-pointed star in the center of which are the battery and pneumatic transport.


The body of the robot is made of silicone with a compound of compartments that communicate let the compressed air supplied by a small compressor structure. Under the effect of this pressure, the robot walking forward at a speed of 18 meters per hour, you can read in the scientific paper published in the journal Soft Robotics. You may also move in waves, but the maximum speed is then only two meters per hour. The researchers explain that silicone has the advantage of withstanding large temperature amplitudes, is waterproof, UV resistant, flame (for a limited time) and corrosive substances.

The tests were carried out to test the resistance of the robot. The Wyss Institute team has worked its funny starfish: forced in the snow with a temperature of -9 ° C, exposure to direct heat for 20 seconds, progress in water and acid attack. Finally, a car rolled over him. Silicone endured the pressure and the robot continued its journey without damage. It should be noted, however, that this attempt to crush is limited to only one of its four members and has saved its central part containing the electronics, motor and battery. This is also the area where residents key technical barriers. Researchers believe they can divide the components in the robot body to better protect them. Also depend on the future evolution of Flexible electronics including battery and pneumatic system.

Such monolithic structure is cheaper to produce and potentially more reliable than a skeleton made of different moving parts. But the computer recognizes that this tire type robot has several drawbacks. His movements are less accurate, which are less reactive and can be perforated by a blunt obstacle. Anyway, this work opens interesting to design robots made ​​of flexible material that is both stronger and more suitable for direct contact with humans perspectives.

Dyson has over fifteen years and 100,000 hours in developing this robot vacuum cleaner.

Dyson has over fifteen years and 100,000 hours in developing this robot vacuum cleaner.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 / No Comments

UK-based Dyson, originally of bagless vacuum cleaners, introduced the Eye 360, equipped with a system to detect obstacles 360 degrees. This vision would make it more autonomous and more efficient than its competitors. Its marketing is planned for next year.

Dyson, the manufacturer behind the bagless vacuum cleaner and fan without propeller, presents its first vacuum cleaner robot. His eye would now need 360 more than fifteen years of development, mobilized 200 engineers and consumes 47 million dollar budget (about 36 million). This autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner literally see the room in which it is located and its navigation system mapping its environment to determine a route.


It is equipped with tracks meant greater maneuverability and allow it to evolve on any rubber surface. The suction nozzle and rotating brush covers the entire width of the machine to suck in the corners and edges of the walls. 360 Dyson eyes has a lithium ion battery that gives you 20 minutes remaining before it returns to its charging station. Obviously, the vacuum uses cyclonic technology without bag. Robotic section based on innovations that make the eye 360 of the vacuum until the autonomous more elaborate date.

The vision system 360 is comprised of a camera filming the environment at a rate of 30 frames per second with an angle of 45 °. It is topped with a panoramic lens and installed on the top cover of the robot. The shutter speed of the camera is synchronized with the speed of movement of the apparatus, which allows it to calculate a specific position within a millimeter. The collected images are processed using mapping technology and simultaneous localization called SLAM (Simultaneous Localization And Mapping). Infrared sensors detect obstacles. Everything is controlled by a software named Dyson Digital Algebra combines algebra, probability theory, geometry and trigonometry. Dyson explains that this navigation system takes landmarks in a room to triangulate its position to know where it is, where it went and where it should go. Its development required 100,000 hours of work identifies the press release.

The second innovation is a digital electric motor. With an output of 100 watts, it is based on a neodymium magnet whose speed is electronically controlled and can reach 78,000 revolutions / minute. This far exceeds that of an (approximately 20,000 revolutions minute /) electric DC motor speed allows to obtain a suction power much larger. In a video posted on YouTube, Dyson says his engine is also smaller and lighter. The robot can be controlled remotely from a smartphone or tablet with Android and iOS apps that allow to program and monitor cleaning operations, materialized on a map. Dyson plans to begin marketing the 360 Eye in Japan in spring 2015, no official price has been released at this time, but Engadget advance a rate of $ 1,650 (about 1,274 euros), more than double models high current range ..

A biobatterie recharged through sweat

A biobatterie recharged through sweat

Thursday, September 4, 2014 / No Comments

If lactic acid is the enemy of athletes, it also has advantages. Researchers at the University of California at San Diego have created a biobatterie powered by body sweat. It is based on a printed form of a temporary tattoo that can extract electrons from lactic acid sensor to produce an electric current. Ultimately, this system could power small electronic devices.

Exercise to maintain your health is a great habit. In the future, this could be even more beneficial ... Researchers at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) have actually developed a printed form of a temporary tattoo that can produce energy sensor lactic acid in sweat . They simply present their work at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society. This biobatterie runs through the lactic acid produced by the human body during exercise. Athletes who are tattooed as they could be sent to your biometric sensor (heart rate, pedometer, etc.), smart clothes and perhaps even electronic devices such as smartphones. Originally, the UCSD researchers have developed this lactic acid sensor to help athletes manage their training sessions. The electric current produced during exercise was measured and this is by detecting changes of this current was possible to monitor the levels of this acid and adjust the intensity of effort. So scientists developed this tool to create a biobatterie. In the sensor, the anode contains an enzyme which will extract electrons from lactic acid and an anode containing a molecule which accepts these electrons. The assembly is capable of producing an electric current of low intensity.

Casual athletes produce more energy
To test biobatterie, the UCSD team has used 15 volunteers who have set the tattoo on his arm. Candidates were then conducted a training session on a stationary bike. Researchers found that people least able produce more energy than those who practiced regular physical activity (one to three times per week). Most make practicing more than three times a week produced the least amount of energy. The explanation for this phenomenon is that a least fit occurs fatigue lactic acid production more quickly and therewith. The maximum power produced is 70 microwatts per square centimeter of skin. But as electrodes biobatterie only 2 x 3 mm and 4 currently produce only microwatts. However, the researchers believe they can increase their ability to reach ten microwatts. In a demonstration video posted on YouTube, they announced that their technology could one day be used to power a sports heartbeat sensor, a clock or other connected objects, or even a smartphone.

new samsung smart watch

new samsung smart watch

Tuesday, September 2, 2014 / No Comments

A few days before the Berlin trade fair IFA, Samsung has unveiled a third smart watch, dubbed Gear S. This is the third model launched in less than a year by the South Korean manufacturer. Its uniqueness? It supports 3G.

The third attempt is good? Having released two smart watches without excite crowds, Samsung then try your luck with a new model, called S. Gear Announced ahead of the IFA trade show in Berlin, this watch is revealed when rumors about Apple iwatch distributed again.

Technically, the S stands for Gear 3G support. According to Samsung, users can initiate or receive calls without having to leave their mobile phones. It is assumed that the clock will be delivered to a Bluetooth headset (or mobile) after pairing. Otherwise, it will not bring the practice of alternately shows the ear and mouth during a conversation.

Gear S will be able to view the text and various notifications directly into 2-inch curved AMOLED (360 x 480 pixels). A double heart processor running at 1GHz, a storage space of 4 GB of RAM 512 MB​​, WiFi (802.11 b / g / n) and Bluetooth (4.1) support connectivity and GPS complete the package.


The clock uses Tizen mobile operating system (Android not wear) and, according to Samsung, a range of two days in the context of the use of "classic". Includes an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, barometer, heart rate monitors and sensors measuring ambient and UV light.
The arrival of the S Gear is a sign that Samsung is not convincing with its smart watches. Indeed, the Asian company is already in its third model launched in less than a year. The first model - Galaxy Gear - has gone on sale in September 2013, followed a few months later by the arrival of his successor, the Galaxy Gear 2 shows.

A more elegant model

However, it must recognize a certain stubbornness of Samsung, while the development of a product line in smart watches was also caused by persistent rumors that Apple's ambitions in this area. Rumors have picked up the beast these days, as the Cupertino company is about to unveil the iWatch at a conference in early September.

If iWatch is actually on the track, the S-Gear shoulders will have enough to compete with the Apple smart watch? Remains to be seen. However, technical considerations and features a clock must be stylish. In fact, it is one of these properties you can learn about the social status of the wearer.


But so far, clocks and gears Gear 2 does not really look good (the screen is flat, wide and rectangular and screws are visible on the front of the first model). With the Galaxy S, Samsung has made ​​a real effort to be pleasing to the eye. An essential level updated against Apple, whose reputation is unsurpassed in the design.

Robotics: Google Will it fulfill the dreams of Isaac Asimov?

Robotics: Google Will it fulfill the dreams of Isaac Asimov?

Saturday, August 30, 2014 / No Comments

Google has just announced that its new acquisition in the field of companies specializing in robotics was Boston Dynamics, to whom we owe the humanoid robot Atlas. Where does the sudden craze Google robots? His project to exploit the asteroids? The proximity of the Google executives with transhumanism gurus might suggest that you can fulfill the dreams of Isaac Asimov considering.

Google recently buying companies specializing in robotics. One of these acquisitions is particularly it as it is none other than Boston Dynamics. Founded in 1992 by Marc Raibert, a former MIT professor of the famous, the company is known for its animal or humanoid robots look like alphadog, cheetah, bobcat and the Atlas. These robots can walk and even run, have developed with the help of the famous Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA American army. At the head of the robotics division of Google, there are now Andy Rubin, one of the creators of Android, the operating system known as smart phones, tablet PCs, PDAs and mobile devices.

But why Google has decided to get into robotics? Difficult to answer this question, although company executives suggest that it would be able to push a step further automation of some plants, particularly in the field of electronics, replacing men with robots. There is no specific short-term commercial application in projects seems to be giant Mountain View California. We can only lose by speculation.

Controlling a wheelchair by thought !

Controlling a wheelchair by thought !

Wednesday, August 27, 2014 / No Comments

The wheelchair is simply controlled by detecting the level of concentration and winks

Control the speed and direction of an electric wheelchair motor that uses brain waves picked up by Mindwave headset: the idea that came to Karim Ait Abderrahim, laboratory director and Esme Sudria Energy Systems, an engineering school. The project was commissioned three students from the class of 2014, Pierre Pagliughi Lerondeau Gregory and Kevin Martins.


Success is complete as the prototype of this "thought control" is now functional. An electronic card 10 cm by 8 retrieves the Bluetooth headphones signal EEG (electroencephalogram) and controls the motors of the wheelchair. "There is an experimental system in Australia, but a computer and sensors is required," explains Pierre Pagliughi Futura-Sciences. There's the advanced technique: the system is simple.

It is based on the handset Mindwave, Neurosky society, one of the most popular of its kind that has not, however, only one of the electrodes. The collected signals are pretty basic and do not come as the brain itself, but also the muscles of the face. Engineers (in the process of becoming officially in October 2014) are housed is by extracting two types of signals: one associated with the concentration used to control the speed and the other blinking, which to choose the direction. The device is used by people with strong physical disabilities. "There are two adjustments made ​​to suit the individual. Minutes or even hours maximum sufficient for the user to use it." How to go from the PCB to the movement of the chair of a business model? "The usual order is a joystick. We attack there. But we believe that a more direct system."

The budding engineers have every intention to continue the adventure. His achievement had already been selected for the 2014 Symposium of the school, as Handi'Light we speak. She is also the recipient for innovative projects in the Ile-de-France East, earning him the promise of using € 45,000 if a partnership is engaged in a business. "We are in talks with the incubator of the Institute of the brain and spinal cord," says Peter Pagliughi. The craft must be adapted to the specific needs, but the concept is there.

Robots see through walls using the Wi-Fi

Robots see through walls using the Wi-Fi

Monday, August 25, 2014 / No Comments

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara have developed what they call a "system of X-ray vision," which does not work at all in the X, but uses radio waves to the Wi-Fi network. These two robots can identify hidden by the metal barrel concrete surround. They alternate transmission and reception of Wi-Fi that changes are analyzed to determine the position, but also the composition of the object signal. In this image, the red zone perimeter embodied robots not know (unknown volume). © UC Santa Barbara

Imagine robotic vehicles before coming thick concrete walls. They have no knowledge of what is behind, however, are able to see through and detect any object that mask, all with a single sign of Wi-Fi. This technology, called X-ray vision for robots with only WiFi, has developed and patented by a team of researchers from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Allows, even a partition, to identify the objects, their positions, their geometry and also to determine whether a human, an object made of metal or wood. By itself, the technique is not new. A radio imaging method, had already shown in 2009.


Robots equipped with this technology could include navigating the rubble after accidents and natural disasters to search for survivors. The robots work in tandem using an algorithm of simultaneous localization and mapping (English Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, or SLAM) working on the fly. Alternatively, a device on one side of a structure transmits a wireless signal while the other, on the opposite side picks up the signal. Radio waves passing through the unknown area, objects in the same attenuate the signal differently depending on their position and composition.

To see through walls, robots use an algorithm of simultaneous localization and mapping. The image in the center shows the sectional view of the structure. The picture on the right shows what robots do. The percentage represents the number of records in Wi-Fi compared to the total number of unknown pixels. © UC Santa Barbara

All Wi-Fi devices could help them see through walls
By measuring variations with a model of wave propagation the system can assign a content structure and determine where solid objects and spaces. To improve the resolution of the images, the team from the University of California at Santa Barbara with their robots with directional antennas. The system, which can be seen demonstrated in this YouTube video, is not limited to robots. "This technology can be integrated with any Wi-Fi device," the researchers explain. It could be used with a Wi-Fi network and then fixed can be used to control a building or a room to detect intrusions or estimate the number of occupants, for example, adjust the temperature.
Researchers still cite other possible uses for archaeological research or to detect and classify objects without touching a structure. Development work is underway to develop other applications and develop technology. To particularly for associating a laser guidance system for improved accuracy and resolution of space mapping.