New High-Resolution Linear Position Sensors Replace Magnetostrictive and Potentiometer Devices

Linear position sensors are used to determine the position of a mechanical, component in a broad range of applications, including medical, automotive, electrical and more. Traditional sensor types used to determine the linear position of a moveable object include magnetostrictive sensors

Source:designworldonline

Laser-like sensors could sniff out hidden explosives

A physicist has developed a device capable of sniffing out hidden explosives such as TNT.Additionally, its reaction with vapours given off by TNT reduces the amount of coherent light the film produces, revealing the presence of the explosive.

According to the New Scientist, it can detect the explosive at concentrations of less than 10 parts per billion in a matter of seconds, and uses a blast of nitrogen gas to clean the film and reset the sensor.

According to the developers, a device like this could be used in a remotely controlled robot.

Source:andhranews

Latest Robot Vacuum Cleaners are induced with Laser Vision Technology

Robot Vacuum cleaners have the appropriate skill to clean a house. These machines are rapidly becoming the ultimate cleaning gadget. The features, size and design of one such unit makes it a perfect machine to clean every corner of the house.

These are a lot more efficient than the traditional cleaning units. Since, these units have a variety of cleaning options, keeping the house clean takes less time and labor.

An overview of Robot vacuum cleaners can best show the performance of this machine.

Source: techkisite

IDEC and Osaka University develop a sensor that can detect six different plastic materials using five-wavelength laser beams. The sensor is currently

At the center of a new, automated plastic sorting system is a sensor that can detect the differences among six types of detectable plastics: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PE (polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene) and ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

The sorting system relies on two sensors, a proximity sensor to detect the presence of an object in the system, and a new plastic material sensor from IDEC. According to Lanny Schuberg, IDEC product engineer manager, "The plastic sensor detects different grades of plastic based upon the resonant frequency of each plastic. Different plastic molecules have different resonant frequencies and by tuning laser diodes to these frequencies, they excite the molecule of the plastic and are thus detected."

Source:designnews

Meet R2, a humanoid ‘robonaut’ GM and NASA are testing to help the crew aboard the space station with basic tasks

Weighing in at 310 pounds, NASA's newest astronaut is a tad heavier than most spacefarers. And he doesn't have much of a personality.

None, actually.

That's because the soon-to-be seventh member of the International Space Station's crew, R2, is a robot.

And though it may be named R2, with its humanoid appearance this robot looks more like C3P0.

Due to launch in September aboard space shuttle Discovery, R2 is the culmination of more than a decade of development by NASA to produce a robot that could help space station crew members with basic tasks. The station crew will initially experiment with the robot in test mode before allowing it to perform useful tasks.


Source:chron

Laser-like sensors could sniff out hidden explosives

A physicist has developed a device capable of sniffing out hidden explosives such as TNT.

Graham Turnbull, a physicist at the University of St Andrew's in Fife, UK, and colleagues have developed a device that uses a film of polyfluorene, a plastic that emits laser light when bathed in photons.

Additionally, its reaction with vapours given off by TNT reduces the amount of coherent light the film produces, revealing the presence of the explosive.

According to the New Scientist, it can detect the explosive at concentrations of less than 10 parts per billion in a matter of seconds, and uses a blast of nitrogen gas to clean the film and reset the sensor.


Source:oneindia

New Robot Is Weight-Loss Coach

Autom is a conversational robot with a mission: to help you diet and exercise every day for better health. Created by Intuitive Automata, it is an early try at the commercial application of socially interactive robotics for health care.

"Autom has a short conversation with you every day to help you keep track of your eating and exercise quickly and simply. She provides feedback, advice, and encouragement to keep you motivated," explains Intuitive Automata, the company that makes the robot.

Source:technewsdaily