As myriad legal tussles roll on between smartphone manufacturers, Apple’s suffered a knock-back by the International Trade Commission. Apple first lodged its complaint against Moto in October 2010, accusing its Droid family of violating the patents found in its own phones. This was countered by a volley of patent violation complaints from Motorola. Granted, this is still a preliminary ruling, but looks like Motorola may have won this round of legal drudgery.

ITC preliminary ruling says Motorola’s Droid series doesn’t violate Apple patents originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High-end DSLRs are pricey and a tad complicated for the everyday user, but that doesn’t stop most folks from wanting to take professional-looking shots of their own. Enter Samsung with a patent application that could add simulated depth-of-field discernment to your average point-and-click and smartphone camera. According to the filing, a dual-lens setup — similar to the 3D cameras we’ve seen hit the market — delegates full-resolution image capture to a primary lens, while its secondary partner calculates object distances. The data is then merged with the initial image “to create a depth map” with simulated blur, saving you from tedious Photoshop drudgery. No word on whether this neat trick will make its way to consumers’ hands — but with 3D still the reigning buzz, we’d upgrade that possibility to a very likely.

Samsung camera patent application adds simulated depth-of-field to point-and-clicks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 13:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trip is something that everybody loves. It’s not only the best prospect to escape from the drudgery of everyday life, but it’s a great time to reunite with your family group. The sole problem to a getaway is that it could typically be costly, specifically when you are contemplating renting a car or truck throughout the getaway. Today, however, you will find alternative alternatives that are open to you when you’re planning a getaway. Whilst it might not appear to be a problem now, having your car or truck obtainable any time on getaway may make factors so much simpler. Just how would you bring your car or truck with you? What if you really don’t feel like a four day drive?

No problem! There is a remedy available to choose from that will help you bring your car or truck with you on getaway while you save money and time. You never need to invest hours in the vehicle either whenever you tend to employ this option. Rather than pondering a rental, or operating your car or truck to some remote location, think about employing auto transporters to take your car or truck to where you really need it to be. You will discover many diverse specialists that offer vehicle shipping assistance, and you may typically save plenty of money just by having to pay the transport fee. In the end, it becomes a winning predicament for anyone included.

You’ll find benefits to using car transport instead of operating or booking a car or truck. Possibly the most significant advantage is that you’ll be capable of drive a car or truck you are comfortable with in a region where you will possibly not be so comfy. You will be able to get where you could be proceeding without having to wait around on a train or bus, and you may never need to panic about the expenditures that a rental car or truck can incur. Having your very own car or truck available makes it much simpler to let your kids just have fun also, as you will not need to panic about that spilled juice box or melted crayon in the backseat incurring additional expenses.

Wherever you may be going, consider using car carriers to take your car or truck with you. A getaway is a thrilling moment for anyone, specifically if you will find kids in the dwelling. Make sure to consider which provider and which service to use and by no means wait to ask queries prior to signing a legal contract for the transport of your vehicle. While it will require an amount of additional time when planning the next getaway, having your own car or truck with you when you’re traveling may make a big difference.

The word “droid” is short for “android.” When you think of androids you think of robots. “Robot” is a Czech word that means “drudgery.” “Drudgery” is defined as “dull, irksome, and fatiguing work.” And let me tell you: it is dull, irksome, and fatiguing to sit through this latest Verizon Droid commercial.

humanoid robot

The term “robot” was first coined by writer/painter Josef Capek in 1921, appearing in his brother Karl’s play titled “Rossum’s Universal Robots.” The Czech word “robota” means drudgery or serf labor. These particular artificial people appeared as the humanoid robot variety and are able to think for themselves, although they genuinely enjoy serving humans. Though robotic technology was far from developed at that time, the concept of robotic ethics was already being explored. Later, popular movies like “AI” and “I Robot” would examine the same topic.

Historically, ancient people believed in the existence of a humanoid robot species. The Greek god Hephaestus was thought to have created mechanical servants to help him build temples. Furthermore, the Jewish people thought that clay golems could come to life and the Norse believed that clay giants could awaken. In 4th Century BC, Greek mathematicians Archytas of Tarentum proposed that he could create a steam-powered bird known as “The Pigeon.” Additionally, Hero of Alexandria (10-70 AD) devised automated machinery powered by air pressure and steam. In 1088, Su Song developed the first clock tower that was built using mechanical figurines and audible chimes. In 1206, the first humanoid robot was created by Al-Jazari, a Muslim inventor who wished to entertain royal guests with automated musicians who played on a boat in a lake. Al-Jazari was already well-known for constructing everything from kitchen appliances and other astounding robotic machines.

There are many different ways to think about robotic technology. For instance, do we want an artificial being to look like a human or an unmistakable nuts-and-bolts prototype? Should they go to work at the plant or in our own homes? Should they think for themselves or be simply capable of pre-programmed simplified tasks? There are “soft robots,” which have silicone bodies and flexible actuators that behave almost human-like. There are “swarm robots” that behave like bees or ants, cooperating together to find something, clean, explore space or spy. “Haptic interface robots” allow users to interact with virtual simulation environments. Engineers are always coming up with new designs and uses for automation robotics.

Robotic technology is continually progressing. Early prototypes used steam, water or air, while new robotic prototypes use actuators, electric DC motors and air muscles. To study robotics engineering, interested students can attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which is the only school that offers a Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering. Other schools have graduate programs based on robotics automation, including Carnegie Mellon University, MIT, UPENN and UCLA. To increase early interest in this field, programs like FIRST Robotics were devised to encourage students as young as six to look to math, science and technology fields for hobbies.

robotics technology

The robotic arm is an extraordinary multi-functional invention used industrially and medically. The robotic system may be used to accomplish undesirable tasks in the workplace, freeing up more creative and fulfilling positions. Or the robotic arms can be used in stroke therapy, in surgery and to assist paralyzed patients. Who knows where the future of this technology will take us?

Starting in 1975, robotic arms have been used for industrial purposes. In some cases, they do the work more quickly, more accurately and more efficiently than human workers ever could. Yet in other instances, they simply perform work that is too monotonous, dangerous or undesirable for men and women. In the US auto industry, for example, there is one robotic arm for every ten workers. Industrial robots lift heavy objects, handle chemicals, and paint and assemble parts. Rather than replace jobs, the robotic system is intended to free up more creative, fulfilling work for people instead. After all, the Czech word “robota” translates to “drudgery work.”

Using a modified robotic arm, Dr. Alon Wolf and Dr. Howie Choset have developed a machine that can perform minimally-invasive surgery with great accuracy. The invention is called the “CardioARM” and has been designed for abdominal surgery, heart bypass surgery and mouth surgery, but can also be used to perform a laparoscopy, colonoscopy, and arthroscopy. The CardioARM is operated by a joystick and can navigate through the body to the problem areas. The flexible tele-operated probe is programmed to remember pathways and it can take tools into regions that surgeons would otherwise have to slice into. “Tools in operation rooms are not flexible. The CardioARM is flexible enough for remote and hard to reach anatomies,” explains Dr. Wolf. “The heart is a good example… now we don’t have to cut the person open.”

A new report found that two monkeys containing tiny electrodes attached to their brains could control a robotic arm using their thoughts. First researchers used the computer to teach the monkeys to move the arm and soon the monkeys were reaching for food and grabbing it, reaching their mouths two-thirds of the time. “In the real world, things don’t work as expected,” said Dr. Andrew Schwartz, a professor of neurobiology at the University of Pittsburgh. “The marshmallow sticks to your hand or the food slips, and you can’t program a computer to anticipate all of that. But the monkeys’ brains adjusted. They were licking the marshmallow off the prosthetic gripper, pushing food into their mouth, as if it were their own hand.” This exciting new robot research promises to help paralyzed patients.