Like so many modern robots, the Mecha Monsters
leverage the science of inverse kinematics where roboticists
calculate the joint angles that coincide with optimal end
effector placements in a given space. Mecha Monsters
achieve three degrees of freedom per each of four legs
using micro servos. End-users in game play only concern
themselves with high level moves and strategy, while the
robot technology does the rest. Unlike 3D sim games played
out in virtual reality, Mecha Monsters open up software
development to the gamer to write new capabilities for
their robots. Since gamers assemble their robots from parts
that allow for customization, each robot can be as unique
physically as it is in capabilities.
Reach Robotics will save every user’s gaming experience
with Mecha Monsters to their user account on Reach
Robotics servers. Follow their progress toward completion
and commercial production at
www.reachrobotics.com.
OptoForce — a Maker of
Force Sensors
OptoForce creates force sensors that enable end-effectors to sense force feedback in the same precise
manner as the human hand does. With an end game of
drastically advancing the tactile sensation capabilities of
robot hands for collaboration between men and robots,
OptoForce is researching human tactile sensing in order to
add those capabilities to robots.
Current OptoForce products include a three-axis force
sensor and a six-axis force torque sensor. According to
OptoForce, the three-axis force sensor can measure gripping
and touching forces, as well as any slippage of grip in order
to give feedback to the system to compensate.
End-effectors can safely overload the force sensor by up
to 600 percent of the nominal value. Every force sensor has
a range of forces (e.g., 0-100N) that it can reliably measure.
This is usually called the nominal capacity, full scale, or as in
the above, the nominal value — with nominal capacity being
the most used expression. A 600 percent overload
capability means that you can load a 100N sensor with up
to 600N without causing any damage to the sensor,
according to an OptoForce representative.
The sensor is equipped with a silicone surface for
quality sensory data intake, while maintaining a high
resistance to heat, water, and acid.
Rather than use strain-gauge based load cells for
sensing, OptoForce applies robust transducers with
deforming surfaces that are separate from the sensing
element. OtpoForce uses infrared light to detect minute
surface deformations and variegated optical grade
elastomers to produce highly reliable results.
OptoForce’s six-axis force torque sensor offers a wide
range of measurement that can be overloaded without
assuming inaccuracies or failures. Peruse their offerings at
http://optoforce.com.
Robotbase — Maker of Robotic
Digital Assistants
The personal robot or robotic digital assistant
automatically links to and manages all in-home or in-office
connected devices and smart home technologies such as
fitness trackers, locks, switches, outlets, and thermostats.
Using a layer of advanced AI algorithms on top of all
the connected devices, the robotic digital assistant will keep
the home or office extremely secure while saving on energy
bills by automatically rotating personalized comfort zones in
the milieu according to your current environment,
preferences, and time of day. It manages other smart home
settings, as well.
The robot digital personal assistant can pay for dinner
and automatically track caloric consumption. It can call a
taxi cab as soon as the user leaves the office. It can take a
picture immediately when the user strikes a pose. It can
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SERVO 09.2015 11
Monthly coverage of commercial, unique, and military robotics.
An end-effector that uses OptoForce
force sensors.
Innorobo —
www.innorobo.com
Reach Robotics —
www.reachrobotics.com
OptoForce —
http://optoforce.com
Robotbase —
www.robotbase.com/robot
Flyability SA —
www.flyability.com
Empire Robotics —
www.empirerobotics.com
MagnebotiX —
www.magnebotix.com
Resources