Thesensor Kinect, developed by Microsoft for its consoleXbox 360, has applications beyond video games, as has been shown by a group of British people from the University of Warwick (United Kingdom), who have designeda remote-controlled robot capable of rescuing earthquake victims using this technology.
Until now, robotic equipment for rescue tasks was based on expensive equipment based on laser technology. Now the use of Microsoft’s motion detector by the much cheaper and more affordable Warwick Mobile Robotics (WMR) group has made it possible toa robot create a complete 3D map of the place where an earthquake has occurredand even identifywhere could there be survivors. A very useful application, especially in cases where access to the interior of buildings is especially difficult for emergency teams, or when the danger of collapse forces them to work against the clock. The robot, similar in appearance to the popularWall-e, obtained the first place in the last edition of the contestEuropean Robocup Rescue, which was held in Germany.
Warwick’s automaton was presented to the public last weekend at the annual “Gadget Live Show” in Birmingham, where it was also possible to see “Titan, the Robot”, which has exhibited its 2.4 meters at the fair. and 350 kilos of exoskeleton. And not everything has been news at this event. The most nostalgic could enjoy a journey through the history of computing with fond memories such as “Furby”, a half-robot, half-stuffed toy that became very popular at the end of the last century. Also, in this edition3D imagesthey have established themselves as one of the most popular technological elements among visitors.
