Interesting video of improved robot vision and obstacle navigation
This is a short video by the NYU splinter of a DARPA-funded project that aims to improve the way robots perceive the world around them (and most importantly, in front of them). As the video notes, the resolution (both temporal and spatial) of current robots’ visual systems is very limited due to data bandwidth and CPU limitations. Consequently, it cannot process its path beyond about 12 meters. This is troublesome in cul-de-sacs and other tricky situations in which the robot cannot see far or well enough to determine a route. Several programs at different universities and companies are taking a hard look at this problem.
The page is quite interesting for anyone interested in robotics, cybernetics, or artificial intelligence. It’s full of videos and interesting things they’ve done. Just think: someday your four-eyed robot butler might be using this very system to bring you a space-beer. More here. And I’d like to thank the lady from the video for having an alluring voice.