A new methodology is helping robots to move its arms autonomously. Researchers combined a type of observational learning with intercommunication between its limbs to boost robots\u2019 flexibility. <\/p>\n
This breakthrough, achieved by researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), represents a further step towards achieving more natural and easily teachable service robots capable of performing assistive tasks in domestic environments, such as setting and clearing the table, ironing, or tidying up the kitchen.<\/p>\n
Autonomous Domestic Ambidextrous Manipulator robot<\/p>\n
This research addresses one of the most complex problems in current robotics<\/a>, the coordination of two arms working together. At UC3M, they are achieving this using the ADAM robot (Autonomous Domestic Ambidextrous Manipulator), which is already capable of performing assistive tasks in home environments, according to a press release.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can, for example, set the table and clear it afterwards, tidy the kitchen, or bring a user a glass of water or medication at the indicated time,\u201d said Alicia Mora, one of the researchers from the Mobile Robots Group at the UC3M Robotics Lab working on this line of research.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can also help them when they are going out by bringing a coat or an article of clothing.\u201d<\/p>\n ADAM is currently an experimental platform<\/p>\n The research team also pointed out that ADAM<\/a> is currently an experimental platform, with an approximate cost of between 80,000 and 100,000 euros, the technology is considered mature enough to suggest that, within a timeframe of 10 to 15 years, robots of this type could live with us in our homes at a much more affordable cost.<\/p>\n Beyond the technical advances, this work highlights the role of robotics as part of the solution to population aging, a growing challenge in the society. <\/p>\n