Servo - September 2015

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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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