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NSF and Federal Partners Award $37M To Advance Nation's Co-robots (nsf.gov)

Posted by Soulskill on from the upgrading-robots-&-co. dept.

aarondubrow writes: Today, the National Science Foundation, in partnership with the DoD, NASA, NIH, and USDA, announced $37 million in new awards to spur the development and use of co-robots — robots that work cooperatively with people. From unmanned vehicles that can inspect and fix ailing infrastructure to co-robots that can collaborate with workers on manufacturing tasks, scientists and engineers are developing the next generation of robots that can handle critical tasks in close proximity to humans, providing for unprecedented safety and resilience. This year, the initiative funded 66 new research proposals to 49 distinct institutions in 27 states.

13 comments

  1. Does That Include Fuck-Bots? by zenlessyank · · Score: 1

    Expanding the reciprocating sciences for man!!

    1. Re:Does That Include Fuck-Bots? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I expect there will be a truly enormous outcry from American and Western European women when a reasonably lifelike sexbot is developed.

  2. one Agenda ^ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    NWO, making man not want woman, since 2016
    Poopulation Control

  3. So, just head to home depot... by hsthompson69 · · Score: 1

    ...and slap a sensor on every power tool you can think of?

    The word "robot" seems to be used to describe everything from a sci-fi automaton, to a remote control vehicle...

    1. Re:So, just head to home depot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe they should hire clockboy, he know's how to repackage clocks.

  4. Splattered Heads by JimSadler · · Score: 2

    Back in 1985, I dealt with a large number of robotic arms. We had numerous safety features, but the foolish can defeat any safety system. Most of the arms weighed about 300 lbs and could move about the same speed as the tip of a gulf club. These units went to universities to train engineers and scientists. Other firms also supplied robots to the education industry. My understanding is that more than one head exploded upon contact with a fast moving robot arm.

    1. Re:Splattered Heads by penguinoid · · Score: 1

      My understanding is that more than one head exploded upon contact with a fast moving robot arm.

      No doubt, but non-robotic power tools have similar problems. Especially if you count cars and guns as power tools, but even with a stationary circular saw people will inevitably cut their limbs off on it.

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  5. $37 million? by sunderland56 · · Score: 1

    I know the budget is tight, but exactly how much robot development will a measly $37 million buy?

    1. Re:$37 million? by Ralph+Wiggam · · Score: 1

      More than the $0 that was previously budgeted.

  6. No, seriously by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

    > co-robots

    As usual, let porn drive the tech. Where's that robot hand, put a rubber covering and heating coils in it.

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    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
    1. Re:No, seriously by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      "Yeah, but practice on a hotdog first..." https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

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  7. great... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    so now we can teach our new robot overlords how to take our jobs, as they are currently not advanced enough to do it themselves ^.-

  8. Pair to Trio Programming Upgrade! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The robot can be used to stare at the person that is pretending to be staring at the screen of the person who is actually doing the work!