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"The new application describes pliable chambers making up the body of the robot, filled with fluid or air. The robot would be able to sense pressure on each cha
by Nomentatus 10y ago
"The new application describes pliable chambers making up the body of the robot, filled with fluid or air. The robot would be able to sense pressure on each chamber and adjust the amount of air or water, to respond to a child’s hug, or to an accidental collision."
This sort of mechanic isn't novel to my mind, pressure sensors aren't, it's all prior art and ordinary mechanic stuff except tossing in the computer/software. If you think it's a breakthrough, then my point fails, of course.
- eridius 10y agoThe problem with software patents isn't mixing software and hardware. That's actually a case where patents are reasonable. The problem with software patents is taking an existing process and patenting "do X, but on a computer". The patent as described here doesn't work like that, because what it's doing isn't something that you could previously do without a computer.
- Nomentatus 10y agoActuating limbs 'n stuff did happen without computers, and with them, long ago. Inflating air chambers doesn't require a computer, it's just an obvious application for them. Emphasis on obvious.