There is no better way to learn about robots and coding than building and programming your own robots. The Freenove 3-Wheeled Smart Car is a Raspberry Pi robot kit with app control. It is compatible with Pi 4B/3B+/3B and other models.
Here is another robot kit made to teach kids basics of coding. The Cubroid Coding Block comes with visual programming. It can be controlled from your favorite smartphone or tablet. This set has blocks that can be connected to build all kinds of robots. The DC motor block offers 360-degree rotation. Kids also get sound, LED, proximity sensor, and touch blocks.
In the past few years, we have covered plenty of teleoperated robots that can take on a variety of challenging tasks. This video from Robotic Systems Lab shows how a Menzi Muck M545 can be teleoperated to clean up a rock slide in central Switzerland.
In the past few months, we have covered plenty of projecting involving ANYmal. The latest video from Robotic Systems Lab shows how this robot can be taught to manipulate a ball with its legs while on its back. As they explain:
We employ a model-free reinforcement learning approach to train a deep policy that enables the robot to balance and manipulate a light-weight ball robustly using its limbs without any contact measurement sensor. The policy is trained in the simulation, in which we randomize many physical properties with additive noise and inject random disturbance force during manipulation, and achieves zero-shot deployment on the real robot without any adjustment.
[HT]
We have already covered robots that can help with hair restoration procedures. Team SAHARRA’s robot is also worth a look. It is a semi-autonomous robot that can helps with hair removal. Their robot uses a navigation system to determine the exact areas to be treated with an LBR Med robot.
The Raspberry Pi is wonderful for DIY electronics. The PiCar-X is a robot kit based on this platform. It comes with various functions, including real-time video, face/color detection, line tracking, and automatic obstacle avoidance. The robot can be programmed with Blockly and Python.
Here is another educational robot made to introduce you to programming concepts. MARK is an AI robot made for kids ages 12+. It gives users hands on experience on image recognition, object detection, and computer vision. It is ready for MicroPython and graphical programming.
Medical professionals have to deal with needles for all kinds of minimally invasive treatments such as biopsies. Team CoNeeBot is aiming to make needles smarter. Their goal is to develop a smart needle that recognizes its environment and connects to a robot to allow doctors to quickly position it.
Drones are already being tested to deliver medicine to remote areas. In NASA’s second Systems Integration and Operationalization (SIO) demonstration, a remotely-piloted APT 70 unmanned drone was used to complete a medical transport mission. In the future, such aerial vehicle can be used to transport blood, organs, and perishable medical supplies up to 70lbs.
Here is another robot kit that combines with a Raspberry Pi to teach you a thing or two about coding. The Freenove Big Hexapod Robot comes with live video, face recognition, and self-balancing function. It works with Pi 4B, 3B+, and other models. It can be controlled with your iPhone or Android device.
