Universal Robotics Systems: Homebrew Developments in the Field
| Published date | 01 January 1983 |
| Date | 01 January 1983 |
| Pages | 17-19 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb047476 |
| Author | Richard D. Prather |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Universal Robotics Systems:
Homebrew Developments in the Field
RICHARD D. PRATHER
Universal Robotics Systems is a small Palo Alto
R&D company dedicated to the development of
unique mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic
devices for application to the fields of industrial ro-
botics, robotics research, and rehabilitative robotics/
electronics. In the past 18 months, a number of pro-
jects have been brought to the working prototype
stage. These are:
A low-cost portable robot arm which can manipu-
late 1kg at full extension (36 inches), is applicable to
mobile robots, education, and when wheelchair-
mounted can be used by movement-limited handi-
capped persons for manipulation.
A unique two-fingered effector which has an in-
flatable grip. The inflatable face on the fingers allows
irregularly-shaped objects to be held securely, and
with a pressure transducer as a sensor, the amount of
force exerted on the object can be regulated allowing
delicate objects to be handled.
An omnidirectional platform for mobile robots or
wheelchairs. This drive mechanism allows the plat-
form (chair) to be moved in any direction without
changing the orientation of the platform. Optionally,
the platform can be rotated around its center without
changing relative position, and the drive mechanism
can be used during motion to steer the platform. The
design is simple and electronic control is uncomplex
and straightforward. Due to the simple design, the
cost is very low.
A robotic hand/human hand prosthesis which is
portable, has multiple manipulative elements, and can
be made with mass production techniques (this dis-
play).
Other projects currently in progress are:
A real-time tactile camera for blind persons. This
device uses an electronic camera which transmits an
image to a touch array on the skin, providing a touch
"picture" of what the camera is viewing. The camera
uses a low-resolution photo detector array with opti-
cal magnification to increase resolution.
A joystick "keyboard" for severely handicapped
persons. This "keyboard" uses a joystick with a puff
switch to select characters to be sent to a computer.
Interface is via a serial ASCII RS-232 line so the ter-
minal can be used with any computer. The design is
very simple and low-cost.
A portable CMOS multi-microprocessor system
for mobile robotics control. This computer system
uses biological systems as an analog to provide auto-
nomic functions as well as goal-directed functions
with decision making and learning. Coupled with this
computer system are various unique sensor systems
and navigational devices to allow a mobile robot to
operate and perform tasks within a specified environ-
ment.
A low-cost robotics system for unattended opera-
tion of injection molding machines. This system will
operate the door, remove the molded parts, check to
see if all parts have been removed and remove any
remaining parts, check the ram sprue for a plug, and
place the parts in barrels. Although not implemented
in the present design, part separation and sorting are
also possible.
Future projects under consideration are:
A software "graphics" keyboard for handicapped
persons using a puff switch and incrementally-moving
character display. A handicapped person would be
able to enter text and messages into a low-cost hobby
microcomputer with output to a printer, voice syn-
thesizer, or telecommunications line.
A portable speech synthesizer to convert dis-
torted handicapped speech into synthesized voice
output.
A lawn-mowing robot.
A vacuum cleaner robot.
Prather is a biophysicist for the ALZA Corpora-
tion, a high tech pharmaceutical company. His design
goals include applications which may have application
for libraries especially for serving the handicapped.
SUMMER 1983 17
To continue reading
Request your trial