تصورتان از یک عضله‌ی مصنوعی چیست؟ یک دست عضلانی آبی رنگ که می‌‌‌‌تواند اجسام بسیار سنگین را بلند کند و به کمک پیشرفته‌ترین فناوریهای موجود ساخته شده است؟ یا شاید هم عضلاتی که به کمک برنامه نویسی‌های ژنتیکی به شکلی بسیار قدرتمند‌تر ساخته شده‌اند؟ حقیقت این است که عضلات مصنوعی می‌‌‌‌توانند روزی نقشی انقلابی در علومی همچون رباتیک، اندامهای مصنوعی و نانوفناوری داشته باشند. تاکنون نیز نمونه‌هایی از این عضلات که از…
شرکت Open Bionics که یک استارتاپ بریتانیایی است با هزینه‌ای کمتر از هزار پوند بازوهای سفارشی با فناوری چاپ سه بعدی می‌سازد. این هزینه تنها کسر کوچکی از هزینۀ بازوهای زیست سازۀ (Bionic) موجود در بازار است. این شرکت که در بریستول قرار دارد یکی از محصولات خود را در کنفرانس Smart Nation Innovtions سنگاپور در ۲۲ آوریل به نمایش گذاشت. سامانتا پاین مدیر عملیاتی Open Bionics گفت: «ما می‌خواستیم دستهایی بیونیک…
Greg Gage is on a mission to make brain science accessible to all. In this fun, kind of creepy demo, the neuroscientist and TED Senior Fellow uses a simple, inexpensive DIY kit to take away the free will of an audience member. It’s not a parlor trick; it actually works. You have to see it to believe it. [Watch the video (5 mins) or download (44MB)]
Recent studies show that the amplitude of cortical field potentials is modulated in the time domain by grasping kinematics. However, it is unknown if these low frequency modulations persist and contain enough information to decode grasp kinematics in macro-scale activity measured at the scalp via electroencephalography (EEG). Further, it is unclearl as to whether joint angle velocities or movement synergies are the optimal kinematics spaces to decode. In this offline decoding study,…
Griffin Matuszek’s life changed last fall, when the kindergartner traveled from North Bethesda to Baltimore to get a 3-D printed glow-in-the-dark prosthetic hand fit for a superhero — or at the very least, a robotic transformer. read more
It’s been a long road for Youtuber “The Hacksmith” to go from inspiration to working prototype. Originally inspired by the exo-suit worn by Matt Damon in Elysium, his real working version is now in the testing phase. So far, he’s successfully lifted 170 pounds of concrete and steel. It’s built on a backpack-like frame with pneumatic cylinders connected to an air compressor for power. The frame is made of perforated steel, square…
Unpowered Anckle Exoskeleton Unpowered exoskeleton developed by Carnegie Mellon and North Carolina State researchers helps individuals walk using less energy. read more
Research News Mar 02, 2015 Each year millions of people within the EU injure themselves in the course of their work due to picking up heavy loads or from one-sided movements – ending up with serious health issues. Together with the industry, Fraunhofer researchers are developing a vest designed to take the burden off caregivers and others with physically demanding jobs. read more
The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition has developed a novel exoskeleton designed to stop muscle and bone density loss caused by long stays in a zero gravity environment. Known as the Grasshopper, the suit would be worn by astronauts while they exercise in space. It’s worn much like a hiking backpack — over the shoulders and around the waist. But it also includes foot plates with straps that go over the user’s shoes. The…
Physiological computing focuses on the use of biosignals for the development of interactive software and hardware systems capable of sensing, processing, reacting, and interfacing the digital and analog worlds. However, biosignals have specific requirements for which typical physical computing platforms are not particularly tuned. Until recently, many projects ended up hindered by high costs and limited access to suitable hardware materials. That scenario is different today, partially thanks to the following 5…