crazy robotic spatula picks up / deposits smears of catsup

[The Boston Dangler]

first, i know the difference between a pancake turner and a spatula, so deal with it.

http://www.robots-dreams.com/2011/03/the-ultimate-robot-gripper-design-challenge-video.html#more

Picking up objects is a major challenge for most robots and robot designers. Tasks like grasping an egg without breaking it seem almost insurmountable.

But what about trying to design a robot capable of picking up a dollop of mayonnaise or ketchup? Think it's impossible? Think again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQECrcZs6Wc&feature=player_embedded

This amazing device, developed by Furukawa Kiko, was designed for applications in the food processing industry, but the company is actively interested in expanding its use to other fields.

One guess at how they might be accomplishing this feat of magic after the break:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EoFnGSOiv4&feature=player_embedded

the second video explains the easy part. i want to know how the entire blob or smear is picked up and deposited without leaving anything behind.

 

[Ichinisan]

That's really cool.

 

[paulney]

Wow. I thought they do some kind of micro-vibrations to un-stick the food froom the surface.

 

[unxpurg8d]

I figured you just made the thread to get YOUR spelling of "ketchup" in play...

Having said that, really spiffy video.

 

[MikeMike]

i want to know what surface they are testing this on... it looks like a teflon surface.

 

[Numenorean]

Really?

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Really?

oh yeah? let's see it

 

[The Boston Dangler]

i want to know what surface they are testing this on... it looks like a teflon surface.

it looks like glass. i have no idea if it's normal glass tho.