关键词： Tele-operation   Robotics   Perception   Forestry   New Zealand  

摘要： Harvesting New Zealand's production forests is challenged due to a growing proportion of the plantation forest being grown on steep slopes. Advances in robotics may aid forest operations to improve productivity and cost effectively manage the growth and harvesting of logs from such difficult terrain. Robotic devices are increasingly being used in primary industry and may be used more in the future of New Zealand forestry, as many silvicultural and logging tasks could be done by machines. The greatest market drivers for the introduction of robotics include the current shortage of skilled personnel willing to undertake forestry operations, and an increasing cost of regulatory compliance. This paper identifies areas of potential advantage for robotics in the forest sector;and begins the debate on the impact on forestry workers from the introduction of such devices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 New Zealand forestry staff involved in forest operations, to gain an understanding of their reaction to, and perceptions of, the potential use of robotics in forestry. Robotics was widely viewed as a natural progression of mechanisation for the industry, and for around a third of respondents, seen as essential in order to have an industry that remains competitive in future. Tele-operated devices could both reduce the safety risks associated with harvesting, and complement the existing skill set of forest crews. The greatest perceived concerns from robotics implementation include the impact on employment in small rural communities;the ability of robotic devices to cope with the difficult terrain of the New Zealand forest environment;and meeting economic considerations given tree and forest variability. There is, however, good potential for tele-operated devices to be introduced into forestry operations in New Zealand, and continuing dialogue with end users about and during the development of such devices will significantly smooth their introduction. (C) 2012 E

关键词： multiunit restaurant management   operations management   other information technology  

摘要： Given the twin objectives of ensuring consistent quality and controlling costs, quick-service restaurants have been in the forefront of automating their operations whenever possible. This article explores a novel approach to achieving these two objectives by using modern robotics technologies to improve operations. Instead of applying robotics technology for direct labor replacement, robotics can augment workers' cognitive capacity. This alternative application of robotics technologies encompasses two key components: (1) robotic sensing for demand prediction and (2) robotic planning for production management. Using the example of Zaxby's Franchising Inc., this article explains the improvements possible with modern robotics technologies and the challenges of implementing it. Unusual for quick-service, Zaxby's uses a fresh, cook-to-order concept, which resulted in backlogs during busy times. Zaxby's robotics application substantially reduced both service times and food waste. The system tracks customer arrivals, starts the cooking process as customers arrive, and then gives employees specific directions to expedite cooking and service, so that wait times have been reduced. Developing the algorithms needed for robotic systems gives corporate operators the opportunity to analyze their operating systems, resolve inconsistencies, and provide for clear performance assessment.

关键词： Instructors   Liability   Proctors   Robotic surgery  

摘要： Surgical robotics instructors provide an essential service in improving the competency of novice gynecologic surgeons learning robotic surgery and advancing surgical skills on behalf of patients. However, despite best intentions, robotics instructors and the gynecologists who use their services expose themselves to liability. The fear of litigation in the event of a surgical complication may reduce the availability and utility of robotics instructors. A better understanding of the principles of duty of care and the physician-patient relationship, and their potential applicability in a court of law likely will help to dismantle some concerns and uncertainties about liability. This commentary is not meant to discourage current and future surgical instructors but to raise awareness of liability issues among robotics instructors and their students and to recommend certain preventive measures to curb potential liability risks. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology (2012) 19, 376-379 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of AAGL.

关键词： Evolution   Technology  

摘要： Noel Sharkey is engaged by a take on the intriguing overlap between biology and robotics.

关键词： PARTNERSHIP (Business)  

摘要： The article reports on a partnership between Texas Instruments (TI) and Roomba vacuum cleaner developer iRobot Corp. to develop robotics technology making use of the open multimedia applications platform (OMAP) of TI, as of April 2012.

关键词： 机器人竞赛   上海市   中小学   上海交通大学   教育委员会   电化教育馆   机器人足球   竞赛项目  

摘要： 2012年5月26、27日，由上海市教育委员会指导、上海市电化教育馆和阂行区教育局主办、上海交通大学附属第二中学承办的“2012年上海市中小学机器人竞赛”在上海交通大学附属第二中学体育馆顺利举行。来自上海市14个区县的130支参赛队分小学组、初中组和高中组展开角逐。参与了机器人足球、机器人篮球、机器人工程挑战、人型机器人全能挑战等7个竞赛项目的比赛。

关键词： 机器人竞赛   实践操作   基础教育阶段   学生参与度   公平性   学校   游戏  

摘要： 提及基础教育阶段的机器人竞赛，在有些学校看来就是一项“贵族游戏”。门槛高，器材投入大、无法统一，产品繁杂，学生参与度低，竞赛公平性打折，这些因素导致很多学校在机器人竞赛面前望而却步。

关键词： 机器人   柔性结构   动力学模型   接触碰撞   假设模态   刚柔耦合   刚度  

摘要： 为了确定刚度对柔性臂倾倒碰撞力的影响,基于混合坐标法建立柔性臂运动学模型,利用假设模态法对柔性变形解耦,基于Hertz接触理论和非线性阻尼理论建立接触碰撞力模型,利用Lagrange方程建立了含碰撞的动力学方程。编写了变步长变精度的四阶Runge-Kutta数值求解算法。对不同刚度下柔性臂的碰撞响应进行仿真,得到了接触力、关节转角、角速度和弹性变形曲线。对比可得,随着抗弯刚度增大,接触力变大且峰值出现的相位提前,且碰撞后柔性臂关节转角变小,弹性变形和角速度的振动都减小;材质结构阻尼对弹性振动变形有明显的抑制。该文所建模型和求解方法有效。

关键词： 连续型机器人   仿生机器人   动力学   拉格朗日方程  

摘要： 提出一种新型的连续型机器人动力学建模方法。首先利用NiTi合金丝超弹性的性质建立了机器人的三维实体模型,并以末端受纯弯矩为研究对象,根据欧拉—伯努利方程,得到了机器人的变形曲线方程。然后通过求解变形曲线对时间的导数,得到其上任意点的速度,进而推出连续型机器人的动能表达,再根据已有的公式导出机器人系统的势能及广义力的表达式。在此基础上,利用拉格朗日方程建立连续型机器人的动力学模型。最后通过算例仿真验证了该方法的可行性。

关键词： 机器人竞赛   上海市   中小学   中央电化教育馆   上海交通大学   教育委员会   信息化发展   教育信息中心  

摘要： 2012年5月26—27日，由上海市教育委员会指导，上海市电化教育馆和闵行区教育局主办，上海交通大学附属第二中学承办的“2012年上海市中小学机器人竞赛”在上海交通大学附属第二中学体育馆顺利举行。26日上午，举办了教育信息化发展现场互动研讨会，特邀中央电化教育馆副馆长王晓芜作了《关于教育信息化发展前景》主报告，全市17个区县教育信息中心（电教站）的负责人和闵行区48所学校分管信息化的领导聆听了报告并参与了现场互动。