Developments in robotics

Robotics is a rapidly evolving sector. Many individuals and groups are investing in what is likely to fundamentally change the way we operate in the decades to come. Dennis Hong is one of the roboticists who has made great strides in his laboratory at UCLA. Since then, he and his students have built several types of robot.

He has noticed that, while technology allows for humanoid machines, they are generally not very stable, because specialists cannot reproduce the flexibility of human legs as well. So Hong and his team came up with robots that could walk flexibly on two legs, even if they couldn't change direction. Other multi-legged models (4 to 6) demonstrated their strength and ability to move over uneven terrain, and even to jump or dance. Because, yes, in the university laboratory, fun is a watchword, and this good atmosphere facilitates innovation.

Among the most interesting advances is a robot with spindly legs whose body is a helium balloon capable of moving, falling from great heights without damage, and walking on water. However, it remains sensitive to wind and is not ideal for outdoor use.

Nevertheless, all these advances enable the robotics laboratory to prepare a generation of robots in the shape of humans that will be more stable and mobile: a model called Artemis. At the time of this talk, they were just starting to build it. It remains to be seen how this model will become a robotics benchmark once experimentation has been completed.

Running time: 18min41