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From VOA Learning English, |
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this is the Technology Report. |
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Researches at Johns Hopkins University's |
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in Laurel, Maryland |
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have designed a new humanoid or human-like robot. |
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Its name is Robo Sally. |
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The machine can be controlled from a distance |
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and can be used to do work |
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that is dangerous for human beings. |
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Robo Sally has two long arms with human-like hands. |
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She can use her fingers to pick up small objects, |
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examine them in detail |
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and do most things that human hands can do. |
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Each finger contains a tiny motor, capable of |
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squeezing 20 pounds of pinch force |
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enough to defuse a bomb under the direction of an operator. |
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She sits on a metal base with wheels |
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that let her move around, |
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turn in tight spaces and climb over small objects. |
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Mike McLoughlin is the main investigator |
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for the Applied Physics Laboratory's Prosthetics Program. |
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"The purpose of that program is to develop prosthetic arms |
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that have all the capability of your natural arms, |
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and you do all the complex motions |
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that we can do with the natural arm - with the robot. |
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So we had this idea if we did this for prosthetics for humans, |
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we could also put these on robotic platforms |
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and enable the robots to go out into dangerous situations." |
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It was a difficult job. |
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Mr McLoughlin says the device had to have many small motors |
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to have the ability to do what a human hand does. |
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It also need to have human-like strength. |
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The thumb was especially difficult |
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because it permits the hand to hold objects. |
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And everything had to fit into a space |
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about the size of a human hand. |
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The next problem, he says, |
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was to figure out how to control the artificial hand. |
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"So we had to figure out how to make the connection |
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between the brain and this arm. |
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We've done that for spinal injury patients, |
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where we can actually interface with the brain |
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and use the patient's thoughts to control the arm." |
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For search-and-rescue duties, |
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Robo Sally will be operated by a human being |
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using a wireless machine that is far from the robot. |
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The operator will also wear special gloves and glasses. |
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The glasses were permitted the operator |
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to see the robot's hands, even though they are far away. |
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Mr McLoughlin says this kind of robots could be used |
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in what he calls "dull, dirty or dangerous" situations |
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where fine human finger movements are required. |
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"Opening a door, or turning the valve of, you know, |
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a factory or a power plant like Fukushima, |
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that was all designed for humans. |
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You need to be able to go in |
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and have the human-like capabilities |
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in order to be able to work in that environment." |
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Mr McLoughlin says the technology |
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is not ready for everyday application, |
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but he predicts that within five years |
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we will see some wonderful improvements. |
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And that's the Technology Report from VOA Learning English. |
