Michigan State University (MSU) Mechanical Engineering Professor Ranjan Mukherjee received a $247,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to focus on impulsive forces, bipedal locomotion and other robotic systems.
Essentially, Mukherjee is attempting to develop better robots that use more human-like movements.
Currently, robots do not use impulsive forces, which are large forces that act over a very short period of time. In humans, these forces prevent us from falling when we land on the ground after jumping in the air. Mukherjee wants to create robots that use impulsive forces, thereby improving robotic movement.
“These forces are not typically used by robots,” Mukherjee says. “It’s been difficult to realize the full options of the robotic system and make them behave like biological forces do.”
Robots have difficulty running and climbing stairs because they have very structured environments. Improving movement could create greater use for robots, possibly resulting in bipedal robots that could help the elderly or complete household chores.
“As human beings we are bipedal and we build the environment around use to suit bipedal movements,” he says. “Bipedal robots could share our workspace much better.”
This technology could also improve movement and quality of prosthetic joints and control of underwater vehicles.
The three year grant is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
Source: Ranjan Mukherjee, MSU
Ivy Hughes is the managing editor of Capital Gains and can be reached here.
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