John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Stanford University's robotics research has evolved significantly over the past five decades. From the early days of Shakey, a robot resembling a stack of computer parts, to today's advanced humanoid divers and gecko-like climbers, the field has seen remarkable advancements. This fall marked the opening of the new Stanford Robotics Center, providing an expansive space for ongoing innovation.
The center boasts six testing bays designed to mimic various environments such as kitchens and hospitals. Karen Liu, a professor of computer science at Stanford, expressed enthusiasm about the collaborative opportunities this facility presents: “We will be conducting our research side by side in an open space,” she said. “We will have more research collaboration because now we’re neighbors.”
Renee Zhao, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is developing medical robots inspired by animal movements like octopus arms and elephant trunks. Her latest project involves a pill-sized robot capable of navigating blood vessels to treat strokes. “One of the biggest challenges for procedures using interventional radiology is the trackability and navigation capability,” Zhao explained.
Karen Liu aims to replicate human movement through robotic exoskeletons that can prevent falls by predicting balance loss. “It’s a machine that only gives you assistance when you need it,” she noted.
Jeannette Bohg focuses on teaching robots how to grasp objects with precision using machine learning techniques. She stated, “You cannot write down how exactly to grasp your glass in the way that you can precisely write down a chess game.”
Shuran Song addresses data collection challenges with UMI (Universal Manipulation Interface), facilitating scalable training for robotic systems. Song highlighted its ease: “This is a much easier way to scale up data collection.”
Monroe Kennedy III is exploring intelligent prosthetics capable of understanding user intent through sensory input. He emphasized collaboration between humans and robots: “My goal in robotics is to address the dull, dirty and dangerous tasks for humanity.”
The story underscores Stanford's commitment to advancing robotics technology while considering societal impacts.
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