Summary
The podcast episode titled "Can Robots Develop Human Senses?" explores the use of sensors in various fields, including space exploration, medical applications, computer gaming, fashion, and sports. The hosts interview two guests, Elida and Dr. Rob Shepard, who are co-founders of the Organic Robotics Corporation. They explain how their company uses soft robotic technology to create smart suits that can provide sensory feedback to wearers. The suits are designed to be more comfortable and flexible than traditional space suits, and they have applications in reducing injury risk, technique analytics, and biofeedback.
The podcast also discusses Light Lace, a soft and stretchable fiber optic sensor that can be woven into wearable devices to measure things like motion, fatigue, respiration, and heart rate. The sensors have higher sampling rates and can measure multiple things at once, which makes them more efficient than other wearable devices that require multiple sensors. The podcast explores the potential applications of Light Lace, including in sports and fitness, and the challenges of making the technology durable enough to withstand contact and weather conditions.
The speakers also touch on the development of robots that use a special hydraulic fluid called "robot blood" as both a battery and hydraulic fluid. The goal is to create general-purpose robots that can operate in unplanned environments for long periods of time. The speakers also discuss the importance of touch sensors in creating adaptive robots that can function in a variety of environments.
The podcast conversation also covers the washability and durability of wearable technology products, as well as the limits of pitching motion and injury prevention. The speakers mention that while the electronics part of the product is removable and can be washed, it has not been tested for long-term durability yet. They also discuss the need for probabilistic models to predict injuries and how capturing information at high frame rates can help understand the fundamental causes of injuries.
Overall, the podcast episode provides an insightful discussion on the development of wearable technology, robotics, and sensors in various fields and their potential applications in sports, fitness, and beyond.
