Robbie the Robot lends a helping hand to limbless teen

Created by a team at the Trinity College, Dublin, Robbie the Robot is ready to be a personal assistant to a teenager in need. Joanne O’Riordan was born with Total Amelia, an unusual condition where children are born without limbs. Today, Robbie was presented to the Secretary General of the International Telecommunications from the United Nations at an event at Trinity College.

At the International Telecommunications Union’s ‘Girls in ICT Day,’ O’Riordan announced a challenge to be put into motion. She asked for someone to build her a robot that would help with everyday tasks. Assistant Professor Kevin Kelly at Trinity’s School of Engineering compiled a skilled team to take on this project, acquiring €50 from the ITU to build a humanoid robot. The robot had a head, torso, arms, and a leg with two wheels that enable mobility.

Professor Kelly stated that “it was her appearance at the UN conference that really compelled me to get involved. Firstly, by her presence alone she was inspiring young girls to consider technology or engineering as possible careers — something very dear to my heart, and that I've worked to encourage for many years now. And secondly, the research in autonomous robots and gripping technology that we were engaged in at Trinity seemed an ideal match for what Joanne was asking for. I got in touch with Joanne and her family and we began discussing how we could help.”

The robot is programmed to complete basic tasks, like picking items up from the floor with its extendable arm. The “‘hand” is a balloon stuffed with coffee bits, and can be inflated/deflated to pick up any variation of small items. There are various air compressors and regulators that help Robbie grasp objects, and to maintain grip once they’re picked up.

Its head was constructed from 3D-printed plastic, with an internal 8-inch LCD screen and sensors. The LCD screen acts as the ‘face’ that can display emotions. The sensors perceive social communication and other external commands. Robbie’s body contains aluminum, carbon fibers, and plastic. The lithium-polymer batteries, computers, motors, sensors, communication hardware, and gearboxes act as the robot’s brain and nervous system. When the robot is in kneeling position, it is at eye level with O’Riordan. The robot is rechargeable, and has hip motors to bend at the waist.

The control interface is voice activated, and there is also an integrated iPad for added control options. 

Story via Phys.org