Advances in robotics continue (and will continue) to be a trend. This time, researchers from Brigham Young University (BYU) have developed a humanoid robot called Baloo , designed to interact with the environment using its entire body, allowing it to lift large and heavy objects easily and safely.
Baloo robot can move heavy objects
Baloo is a soft robot equipped with flexible components that make it ideal for handling bulky objects such as ladders, kayaks or tires . This design not only improves its utility, but also reduces risks in shared work environments. Unlike traditional robots with rigid parts, Baloo minimizes the danger of harm to both itself and the people who interact with it.
Baloo is equipped with flexible components. Source: BYU
The development of this robot is being led by graduate student Curtis Johnson, under the supervision of Professor Marc Killpack at BYU’s Robotics and Dynamics Laboratory.
What if the robot could push with its shoulder or push objects away with its whole body? That would really expand its capabilities.
Johnson said, highlighting the importance of this technology to improve collaboration between humans and robots.
Human-robot collaboration
As part of the National Robotics Initiative, a project funded by the National Science Foundation, the BYU team is also investigating collaborative manipulation techniques. In this context, studies have been published that look at how people and robots can move heavy objects together . For example, one experiment used a virtual reality headset to synchronize a robot’s movements with those of a human, achieving more effective cooperation.
In addition, researchers such as Shaden Moss and Dallin Cordon have contributed significantly to this project. Moss focused on programming a flexible robotic arm that reacts to human forces, while Cordon designed a control system for precise manipulation of rigid objects.
What awaits us?
This novel approach is redefining how robots can be integrated into everyday work. Thanks to its ability to adapt to different tasks and ensure the safety of users, Baloo represents a key advance in the field of soft and collaborative robotics.
Ongoing research at BYU promises to continue to push the boundaries of what robots can accomplish, making these machines reliable allies in multiple environments.
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Source and photo: BYU