testing prototype with loads as heavy as a cement bricks
all images © dr. masaaki kumagai/ tohoku gakuin university


japanese researchers from the robot development engineering laboratory at
tohoku gakuin university have developed a robot that balances on a ball while
carrying heavy loads.  its base mechanism is composed of three independent
rotors which spin to maintain its balance in spite of being pushed. it can also travel
in any direction using an 'omniwheel' similar to the one employed by honda's U3-X.
due its great balancing ability, the robot could be applied to settings such as concert
with other bots to move large or smaller objects such as glasses.



demonstration of balancing robot'




'dynamically stable robots like this one are better than static bots, which use three
or more wheels. they can have smaller bases, allowing them to navigate tight corners
and their omnidirectional abilities allow them to quickly go in any direction without
having to turn around.' - masaaki kumagai and takaya ochiai, researchers
at tohoku gakuin university

via popular science
via neatorama