The researchers used the new transmission to build a simple humanoid robot with two arms and stereo cameras on the head, streaming their video signal to an operator wearing a head-mounted display. The robot copies the movements of its human operator and in turn, the person is capable of feeling what the robot is touching through the haptics feedback.
The new hybrid hydrostatic transmission combines hydraulic and pneumatic lines. This technology has almost no friction and offers extreme precision for tasks such as threading a sewing needle. The robot's arms have an incredible life-like nature, possessing such features as small mass, high speed, and precise motion not seen before.
"The transmission provides our robot with incredibly smooth and fast motion, while allowing life-like interaction with people and the handling of delicate objects," said co-author Jessica Hodgins, vice president at Disney Research and professor of robotics at Carnegie Mellon University.
Robots using this technology are ideally suited for naturally compliant and life-like interaction with people.
The researchers will report on the new technology at the "IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation 2016" in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 17.
