Advancements in robotics technology are forcing us to change our perception of what a robot is. From smart cars to interactive Segways, more powerful computer programs are giving machines the ability to act alongside us, rather than simply for us.
Madeline Gannon, whose research studio Madlab focuses on human-computer interactions, is using new programs to give one of the most basic robots the ability to transcend the boundaries of its creation.
By combining innovative software with motion capture technology, she’s reinvented the robotic arm — the workhorse on assembly lines. Gannon designed software that allows a robotic arm to observe and parrot human movements. She envisions robots less as servants and more as collaborators, and her work is a big step toward that goal. Instead of performing repetitive, point-by-point tasks, Gannon wants robots to use information from their movement to build a logical framework for understanding and anticipating our actions.
Discover spoke with Gannon about the limitations of current robots, teaching robots new tricks, and being a robotic artist.
