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Robotics| Tech»

Using natural hydrothermal vents as deep-sea batteries

By Maja Bosanac
9 November 2013

rov-and-using-power-from-hydrothermal-vents-1Collaboration between researchers at the RIKEN Institute, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science, and University of Tokyo resulted in development of a robust robotic system that uses natural hydrothermal vents on the sea floor to generate electricity. This novel system is simple and corrosion-resistant, and it could be used to revolutionize ocean exploration and improve our… »

Bionics»

Spiber Qmonos – a tough and lightweight artificial spider silk

By Maja Bosanac
2 Comments14 July 2013

spiber-qmonos-1A Japanese startup called Spiber Inc. has created an artificial spider silk using synthesized genes which persuade bacteria to produce fibroin, a structural protein found in spider silk. Researchers have developed technologies to cultivate these bacteria efficiently and weave the fibroin into fabric. The protein derived from fibroin has been given the name “QMONOS” (from… »

Bionics»

Fluorescent protein from Unagi eel could revolutionize key clinical assay

By Damir Beciri
21 June 2013

glass-eel-picture-1Being high in protein, vitamin A, and calcium, unagi found its way to become culinary delicacy in Japan. This sea-going Japanese freshwater eel seen a worldwide decrease in population, and its research could contribute to its conservation as well as lead to unexpected ways to help save human lives by increasing sensitivity, accuracy and speed… »

Robotics»

Kondo Kagaku KHR-3HV humanoid kit robot

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments23 October 2012

kondo-kagaku-khr-3hv-robot-1Back in June 13th 2009, during their 5th Anniversary, Kondo Kagaku released the KHR-3HV humanoid kit robot. Although it’s been a while since they released the robot, its abilities and price make it ideal for hobbyists as well for use in advanced educational purposes. Hence, we decided to publish an article about this great humanoid… »

Robotics»

Talking vacuuming robots? Sharp Cocorobo RX-V80 and RX-V100

By Damir Beciri
One Comment10 May 2012

sharp-cocorobo-rx-v100Japanese electronics maker Sharp Corp. recently unveiled two versions of a new robotic vacuum cleaner named Cocorobo (a play of words that combines “heart” and “robot” in Japanese). While they are expected to be more expensive than iRobot’s popular vacuuming robot Roomba, the Cocorobo vacuuming robots do come with additional features that might become popular… »

Tech»

ENE-FARM Type S – most efficient residential-use Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments3 April 2012

ene-farm-type-sOsaka Gas, Aisin Seiki, Kyocera Corporation, Chofu Seisakusho and Toyota Motor Corporation announced that they have completed co-development of a residential-use solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) co-generation system named ENE-FARM Type S. The system achieves power generation efficiency of 46.5% – currently highest level in the world when it comes to fuel cells for residential… »

Robotics»

RIBA II – improved robotic nursing care aid from Japan

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments2 August 2011

riba-iiJapan has a growing number of elderly in need of nursing care and an urgent need for new approaches used to assist care-giving personnel. Researchers at RIKEN and Tokai Rubber Industries (TRI) are developing a robot which performs one of the most exhausting tasks for such personnel – lifting a patient from a futon at… »

Robotics| Tech»

SOINN enables robots to learn and adapt to new situations

By Damir Beciri
1 August 2011

robot-soinn-hasagawa-labResearchers from the Hasegawa Group at the Tokyo Institute of Technology are developing a robot capable to think, learn and take on tasks it hasn’t tried before. By using Self-Organizing Incremental Neural Network (SOINN), the robot can think in a way similar to humans, because it can make educated guesses and decisions based on its… »