In this presentation, Tapomayukh Bhattacharjee explores the field of robotics-assisted mobility, focusing on leveraging robot-world physical interactions in unstructured human environments. He also delves into haptic perception and robot manipulation. Bhattacharjee’s insights shed light on the potential of robotics to enhance human interaction and assistance in various scenarios, laying the groundwork for future advancements in this intriguing field.
Bhattacharjee begins by discussing the challenges faced in enabling robots to navigate and interact with unstructured environments effectively. These environments, which include outdoor pedestrian spaces and homes, present complex configurations that demand robust perception, motion planning, and manipulation capabilities. This is particularly crucial for tasks requiring haptic perception, which involves understanding and interpreting sensory information from physical interactions.
One area of focus is robotics-assisted mobility, where robots provide assistance to individuals with mobility impairments. Bhattacharjee highlights how robots can help bridge the gap between personal assistance and independent living by performing tasks such as navigation, object retrieval, and manipulation. He presents various robotic platforms designed to provide mobility assistance, emphasizing the need for adaptability and robustness in real-world scenarios.
To achieve enhanced robot interaction in unstructured environments, Bhattacharjee discusses the importance of haptic perception. Haptic perception allows robots to understand objects’ physical properties and surroundings through touch, leading to more effective manipulation and interaction. He presents research on haptic sensing technologies, including tactile sensors, force sensors, and artificial intelligence algorithms, that enable robots to perceive and interpret their environment
Bhattacharjee also dives into the topic of robot manipulation, highlighting the challenges faced in enabling robots to manipulate objects in unstructured environments. He emphasizes the need for robots to possess dexterity, adaptability, and the ability to handle a wide range of objects. Bhattacharjee presents research on robot manipulation, including developing integrated systems that combine perception, motion planning, and control to enable successful object manipulation in unstructured environments. Furthermore, Bhattacharjee’s presentation raises important questions about the ethical implications and societal acceptance of robotics-assisted mobility. As robots become more integrated into human environments, there is a need to address concerns related to privacy, security, and the potential displacement of human caregivers. Additionally, societal attitudes and perceptions towards robots as assistive devices need to be considered and addressed
As Bhattacharjee concludes his presentation, he highlights the potential impact of robotics-assisted mobility and haptic perception in enhancing human interaction in unstructured environments. Robotic systems that can effectively navigate and manipulate objects in real-world scenarios have the potential to greatly assist individuals in their daily lives, improving their overall quality of life and promoting independence. The field holds great promise for enhancing human interaction, promoting independence, and addressing societal challenges. Continued research and development in robotics-assisted mobility, haptic perception, and robot manipulation are crucial to realizing this potential and improving the lives of individuals with mobility impairments.
[1] Dr. Tapomayukh Bhattacharjee.(2022).Building caregiving robots[Video].Available:https://youtu.be/mh8ZO62Z2Vk