Robots using tools: Researchers aim to create 'MacGyver' robot

October 09, 2012

Robots are increasingly being used in place of humans to explore hazardous and difficult-to-access environments, but they aren't yet able to interact with their environments as well as humans. If today's most sophisticated robot was trapped in a burning room by a jammed door, it would probably not know how to locate and use objects in the room to climb over any debris, pry open the door, and escape the building. A research team hopes to change that by giving robots the ability to use objects in their environments to accomplish high-level tasks.

Link: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/computers_math/computer_science/~3/l8gyaTbTKr8/121009101346.htm