Robots are one of the key technologies for the present and are even more promising for the future. To see how robots can be used, one needs to look no further than the robot which successfully gained entry into the apartment of the suspect in the recent tragic shooting spree in an Aurora, Col. movie theater.
The robot was used by law enforcement officials from Adams County, Col., to take pictures of the massive number of booby traps, incendiary devices, trip wires and varied accelerants found in the apartment. The use of the robot avoided further injuries, additional loss of life and more destruction – in an already extraordinarily difficult situation.
“The ‘skillfully driven’ robot had to neutralize an oxidizing agent and fuel just inside the door, then an improvised explosive device, additional triggering mechanisms, wires and fuses,” according to a report from The Age.
Overall, robotics is a big business. For example, Amazon.com acquired Kiva Systems, which makes automated warehouse picking bots. The $775 million deal will likely lead to lower costs at Amazon for warehouse fulfillment. Amazon now pays $3.5 billion a year in this sector. “Amazon clearly sees the potential exhibited by the next generation of robotics solutions, and so does Quantum International,” Quantum CEO, Robert Federowicz said in a recent statement. “The future for the robotics industry is very bright, with … better, smarter automation technologies poised to revolutionize robotics just as Apple’s iPhone technology revolutionized telecommunications.”
In other robotics sector news, Boston’s iRobot is developing “Ava,” a five-foot, three-wheeled robot. It employs an iPad for a “brain.” It uses Xbox Kinect sensors for “eyes.” Its future uses could be in offices working as digital assistants, according to the statement.
“We’re working hard to position Quantum to capitalize on the coming robotics revolution just as Amazon and iRobot have done,” Federowicz said. Quantum International said it is currently looking for “acquisition prospects.” Also, the company is working on a likely marketing and development deal with Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements (PIAP), based in Poland, which makes robotics for use in anti-terrorism and disaster cleanups, the company said.
Quantum is also working on a new initiative from the U.S. government in robotics. "Quantum is already pursuing potentially lucrative opportunities in tactical and industrial robotics," Federowicz said in a statement carried by SDNzone. "We are extremely pleased by the new federal support for co-robotics and we expect this initiative to help jumpstart the domestic robotics economy. We're already seeking potential partners to help us develop and commercialize new co-robotics innovations with the potential to revolutionize American society."
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Edited by
Brooke Neuman
