Technology Report – Robo Sally Has Human-Like Hands
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Technology Report - Robo Sally Has Human-Like Hands
From VOA Learning English, this is the Technology Report.
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For McLaughlin Mr Researchers Sally The also base calls
designed for is of pick predicts required spaces that to
two under
Researchers
at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, have
designed
a new humanoid or human-like robot. Its name is Robo Sally.
The
machine can be controlled from a distance and can be used
to
do work that is dangerous for human beings. Robo Sally has
two
long arms with human-like hands. She can use her fingers to
pick
up small objects, examine them in detail and do most things
that
human hands can do. Each finger contains a tiny motor capable
of
squeezing 20 pounds of pinch force, enough to defuse a bomb
under
the direction of an operator. Robo Sally sits on a metal
base
with wheels that let the robot move around, turn in tight
spaces
and climb over small objects. Mike McLaughlin is the main investigator
for
the Applied Physics Laboratory's Prosthetics Program. It was a difficult job.
Mr
. McLaughlin says the robot hand had to have many small motors
to
have the ability to do what a human hand does. It
also
needed to have human-like strength. For search and rescue duties, Robo
Sally
will be operated by a person using a wireless machine that
is
far from the robot. The operator will also wear special glasses.
The
glasses will permit the operator to see the robot's hands. Mr.
McLaughlin
says this kind of robot could be used in what he
calls
"dull, dirty or dangerous" situations where fine human finger movements are
required
. Mr. McLaughlin says the technology is not fully ready yet. He
predicts
that within five years, there will be some very big improvements.
For
VOA Learning English, I'm Alex Villarreal.
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