Dev.SN

Chainsaw-wielding Robot Chops Limbs Off of Trees

posted by LaminatorX on Wednesday February 26 2014, @10:00AM   
from the I-for-one-welcome-our-new-Chainsaw-Bot-overlords dept.

Sir Garlon writes:

"Researchers in Japan have developed a chainsaw-wielding robot that climbs trees and prunes off limbs. Such pruning is currently done by humans, who can't always use a cherry picker and sometimes have to climb the tree and operate the chainsaw one-handed. That is, not surprisingly, rather dangerous. The robot is still experimental, and it's remotely operated, not fully autonomous. But it's an impressive gadget none the less. Robots with chainsaws, what could possibly go wrong? Linked article includes video."

• It's a Beta It's a Beta (Score: 5, Interesting) by weeds on Wednesday February 26 2014, @10:37AM

  by weeds (611) on Wednesday February 26 2014, @10:37AM (#7293) Journal

  Do I dare say that?

  Anyhow, this is the first try and they make it clear there is work to be done:

  "Most of the testing of this robot has so far been in an "experimental forest," where the trees seem to be all about as straight and perfect as a sprouting telephone pole. Continuing research will involve making the robot a bit more robust towards different sorts of trees and foliage,..."

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  Starting Score:	1		point
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  Interesting=2, Informative=1, Funny=1, Total=4
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• Re:It's a Beta (Score: 1) by ikanreed on Wednesday February 26 2014, @10:51AM

  by ikanreed (3164) on Wednesday February 26 2014, @10:51AM (#7310)

  Previously unheard of technology has limited applications while edge cases are developed for. That doesn't mean it's not an impressive usage of image processing and robot control systems.

  Parent

• Re:It's a Beta Re:It's a Beta (Score: 3) by mcgrew on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:22AM

  by mcgrew (701) on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:22AM (#7328) Homepage Journal

  More like an alpha. Alpha: testing in-house. Beta: released to the public for final testing.

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  • Re:It's a Beta (Score: 1) by weeds on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:26AM

    by weeds (611) on Wednesday February 26 2014, @11:26AM (#7330) Journal

    True enough, but who cares about "Alpha"?

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    Parent