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Current batteries appear to be inadequate because walking robots are so inefficient. Mine took 3000 watts to walk. ASIMO is similar. But humans require only 200

by tlb 13y ago

Current batteries appear to be inadequate because walking robots are so inefficient. Mine took 3000 watts to walk. ASIMO is similar. But humans require only 200 watts to run. Delivering 200 watts for 12 hours (Ironman-level endurance) takes 25 lbs of lithium batteries, which is the same ballpark as the weight of the human cardiovascular + digestive system.

robomartin 13y ago
Right, and that's why the first item on my list are artificial muscles. If we had efficient, pliable, moldable, rugged, strong artificial muscles robotics would make a step change for the better overnight.
- jasonwatkinspdx 13y ago
  I'm sure there's significant opportunity to increase efficiency by combined improvement in the structure and control software. Have you tried to learn a balance sport like skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, etc? As a beginner you aren't capable of the prediction/anticipation necessary to position yourself precisely for dynamic stability. You overcome this largely by bracing multiple muscles against each other. But once you practice enough that your brain understands and anticipates, everything suddenly feels much more effortless. A beginning snowboarder will burn through to muscle fatigue limits in just a couple hours on the bunny hill. An experience snowboarder can ride the steeps all day with only mild fatigue. Sure, there's likely to be a difference in physical conditioning too, but in my experience that's a lessor factor than simply knowing/feeling how to move the minimum amount at the precisely right moment. So while a revolutionary advance in artificial muscles would be grand, I think there still may be significant opportunities with existing actuators.
andrewflnr 13y ago
By "Ironman" can I assume that you mean the triathlon, not the marvel character? Personally, I'd really like to see the storage system that could power a practical untethered powered exoskeleton.

by tlb 13y ago

robomartin 13y ago

Right, and that's why the first item on my list are artificial muscles. If we had efficient, pliable, moldable, rugged, strong artificial muscles robotics would make a step change for the better overnight.

jasonwatkinspdx 13y ago
I'm sure there's significant opportunity to increase efficiency by combined improvement in the structure and control software. Have you tried to learn a balance sport like skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, etc? As a beginner you aren't capable of the prediction/anticipation necessary to position yourself precisely for dynamic stability. You overcome this largely by bracing multiple muscles against each other. But once you practice enough that your brain understands and anticipates, everything suddenly feels much more effortless. A beginning snowboarder will burn through to muscle fatigue limits in just a couple hours on the bunny hill. An experience snowboarder can ride the steeps all day with only mild fatigue. Sure, there's likely to be a difference in physical conditioning too, but in my experience that's a lessor factor than simply knowing/feeling how to move the minimum amount at the precisely right moment. So while a revolutionary advance in artificial muscles would be grand, I think there still may be significant opportunities with existing actuators.

andrewflnr 13y ago

By "Ironman" can I assume that you mean the triathlon, not the marvel character? Personally, I'd really like to see the storage system that could power a practical untethered powered exoskeleton.