Robot Learns to Throw a Ball

AlphaAtlas

AlphaAtlas

[H]ard|Gawd
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Scientists from the "Robots That Dream" project are teaching a 2 armed robot called "Baxter" to throw a tennis ball, and it looks like it's getting pretty good at it. As opposed to using static calculations, this robot supposedly "learns" from the shots it doesn't make, and uses that information to correct later throws. It doesn't appear to be throwing balls at pitching speeds yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Thanks to Spectrum for spotting the video.

Check out Baxter here.

DREAM is a robotic project that incorporates sleep and dream-like processes within cognitive architecture. This enables an individual robot or groups of robots to consolidate their experience into more useful and generic formats, thus improving their future ability to learn and adapt. DREAM relies on Evolutionary Neurodynamic ensemble methods as a unifying principle for discovery, optimization, re-structuring and consolidation of knowledge. This new paradigm will make the robot more autonomous in its acquisition, organization and use of knowledge and skills just as long as they comply with the satisfaction of pre-established basic motivations.
 
It would be neat to see a more advanced version of this at the level of an MLB pitcher. Equipped with deep learning / AI I'd be interested to see how well the best human batters could hit off of it.
 
"Girls like robots with skills."
napoleon-dynamite-ss2.jpg
 
throwing?? looked a whole lot more like DROPPING the ball into the bucket

:cautious:
 
Right? It's all fun and games until a precision thrown grenade lands in your lap.

scojer said:
It starts with tennis balls and leads to grenades.

What was that guy inputting? Pass/fail or updating calculations?
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AlphaAtlas said:
Scientists from the "Robots That Dream" project are teaching a 2 armed robot called "Baxter" to throw a tennis ball, and it looks like it's getting pretty good at it. As opposed to using static calculations, this robot supposedly "learns" from the shots it doesn't make, and uses that information to correct later throws. It doesn't appear to be throwing balls at pitching speeds yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Thanks to Spectrum for spotting the video.

Check out Baxter here.

DREAM is a robotic project that incorporates sleep and dream-like processes within cognitive architecture. This enables an individual robot or groups of robots to consolidate their experience into more useful and generic formats, thus improving their future ability to learn and adapt. DREAM relies on Evolutionary Neurodynamic ensemble methods as a unifying principle for discovery, optimization, re-structuring and consolidation of knowledge. This new paradigm will make the robot more autonomous in its acquisition, organization and use of knowledge and skills just as long as they comply with the satisfaction of pre-established basic motivations.
Click to expand...

Title should read "Robot is programmed to throw ball", as it didn't learn anything.
 
What is this obsession with making robots look and act human? Is walking that great?

If you want to give a task to an automated machine design it in the optimal shape to do the task.

it's like the whole industry devoted to making props for Hollywood movies.
 
Oh, and I suppose Pitch-o-Mat 5000 was just a modified howitzer!

Pretty cool, though
 
Jtal said:
What is this obsession with making robots look and act human? Is walking that great?
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Because a lot of applications are already designed for human interactivity and being able to step over and around things with agility will be necessary. Of course a lot of things are wheel-chair accessible and designing cheaper robots with those constraints will also be useful.
 
Robot teaches human to play fetch.

I would have put some kind of auto loader so you didn't have to pick up and give it the ball every time...
 
The dark cyberpunk future is upon us.
Hopefully you all will be ready, if you have the balls! :D
 
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