Humanoid Robot Swimmer Made by 3D Printer
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The SWUMANOID robot can imiate human swimming motions.
CREDIT: TITECH Nakashima Lab |
Today's humanoid robots can do much more than simply act as creepy conversation partners — they can act as surrogates for better understanding humans. That's the raison d'etre for a Japanese humanoid robot that can imitate a human swimmer's motions inside a water-filled tank.
The movements of the SWUMANOID (Swimming Humanoid) robot seem accurate but stiff in a video provided by the robotics blog Plastic Pals. Its makers intend it to help measure water resistance to a human swimmer's body, and perhaps help create performance-enhancing swimwear.
SWUMANOID currently exists as a half-scale model of a human being, and it suffers from a slower swimming pace. But the researchers earn futuristic brownie points for making the robot by using a 3D printer — the personal fabrication technology capable of turning customized digital designs into real objects. That's either a neat factoid or a bit of a yawn, depending on who you ask. [Why a DIY Pioneer Dislikes 3D Printing]
Source: Plastic Pals
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