c/robotics

Just curious. As robots become more common in factories, businesses, and even homes, I've been wondering what happens when they reach the end of their useful life. Unlike a TV or many other electronic devices that can remain useful for years with software updates, robots seem much more likely to become obsolete quickly as both their hardware and AI capabilities improve. How are countries like China currently dealing with this? Are existing e-waste recycling systems already equipped to recycle robots, including their batteries, motors, electronics, and rare earth materials? Or are robots simply processed through the same recycling stream as other electronic equipment? I'm mainly interested in what's being done today. If you know of current recycling processes, companies, or government programs, I'd appreciate any information or sources. Note: I used AI to help write this post because English isn't my native language, and it would have taken me much longer to express these ideas clearly. The question itself is mine. submitted by /u/Inevitable-Crow-5777 [link] [Kommentare]

We recently open-sourced our implementation of obstacle overtaking using GPMP2 (Gaussian Process Motion Planning). The project demonstrates trajectory optimization for autonomous overtaking by representing robot trajectories as continuous-time Gaussian Processes and optimizing them as a factor graph. Instead of sampling-based planning, the approach jointly minimizes smoothness and obstacle costs while satisfying vehicle dynamics constraints, producing collision-free and dynamically feasible trajectories. Some highlights: GPMP2-based trajectory optimization using factor graphs Integration with robotics simulation for reproducible experiments Clear codebase that can serve as a starting point for researchers and students working on motion planning If you're working on motion planning, trajectory optimization, autonomous driving, or robotics, I'd love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, or ideas for extending it. Repository: https://github.com/AutonomousVehicleLaboratory/obstacle-overtaking-gpmp2 submitted by /u/Turbulent_Leek8446 [link] [Kommentare]

Boston Dynamics is developing Atlas using an AI-based system instead of relying on hard-coded behaviors. Aya Durbin describes a shift away from fixed, pre-programmed routines toward a robot that can operate in less controlled, real-world environments. For humanoid robots, this difference is important because demonstrations can be tightly scripted, while practical use requires dealing with variability, unexpected situations, and changing physical tasks. This outlines how Atlas is being developed as Boston Dynamics continues working on humanoid robotics. submitted by /u/Responsible-Grass452 [link] [Kommentare]

Olá a todos! estou construindo meu próprio robô humanoide em tamanho real do zero. Este é o protótipo atual do antebraço, cotovelo e mão. Para a mão, fiz engenharia reversa do mecanismo dos dedos usado no robô InMoov e o recriei usando parafusos em vez do projeto original. Os dedos são acionados por servos que puxam linha de pesca, que funciona como tendões artificiais. O mecanismo de rotação do antebraço usa um rolamento 6916-2RS e projetei todas as peças mecânicas no Fusion. Esta versão é apenas um protótipo. Ela é impressa em PLA e montada com parafusos zincados para manter os custos baixos durante os testes. A versão final será impressa em PETG e usará parafusos de aço inoxidável, insertos de latão termofixados e porcas autotravantes de nylon (porcas Nyloc) para maior resistência e durabilidade. Infelizmente, ainda não consigo demonstrar todos os movimentos porque um dos canais do meu testador de servos está com defeito, então só consigo testar dois servos por vez em vez de três. Agradeceria muito qualquer feedback ou sugestão. Estou aprimorando o projeto passo a passo antes de construir o robô humanoide completo. submitted by /u/Lonely-Advisor-8990 [link] [Kommentare]

Hi, I started working on an academic college project about VLAs (SmolVLA as I choose after some research) on the SO101 but thought to make it ruled by the FK and IK model of the robot it self as a safety measure for the model outputs. The thing I want to ask about - because I'm kinda constrained with a time period that doesn't allow for that much trial and error, so I need to decide from the beginning with the path I'm choosing - is that is this a good path to go on (putting in mind that the needed end result will be a peer reviewed publishing). If it is a good path then what is a good advice that you anyone have tried to go down this path can tell me, and if not what is the right pivot to be done for such requirements. My background is a BS in mechatronics, and I have an intermediate level of knowledge in robotics and AI that make me comfortable around the subjects but with no prior detailed experience with such requirements and such topics. submitted by /u/Visible_Song_3874 [link] [Kommentare]

I built this system that can rotate what’s on top, I was planning on putting my airsoft gun on it to make a turret, but I’m not sure anymore . Any suggestions what to put on? There is a big slip ring, so a lot of electronics can be connected . submitted by /u/noooooo_12 [link] [Kommentare]

I know there are several ways to feed robot how human move and interact, I wonder if first person video is one of the way to train robots. If yes, what is the requirement and how’s the demand and supply? submitted by /u/CharmaineHY [link] [Kommentare]

​ I have experience in deploying traditional robotics software, but I feel I am not up to date with what is happening in the modern robotics work like using vlm, vla, etc. People talk about it and show proof of concepts, but never seen a real deployment of these used cases especially in the case of the manufacturing industry. Has anyone deployed a robotic product with a modern robotics AI stack? Would love to gain the insights on this. submitted by /u/Live-Inspector-2641 [link] [Kommentare]

Stack-chan’s birthday is July 2. It all started with this first post on July 2, 2021: https://x.com/meganetaaan/status/1410631124045291521?s=20 Since then, we have celebrated Stack-chan’s birthday every year with the community. This year, we held “Stack-chan Birthday Party 2026” in Tokyo, Japan. https://preview.redd.it/bhaewzjw6bbh1.jpg?width=4096&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b9d50e2071ffcf838ac8770ac51e6c1735f0664 More than 80 people joined us on-site, making it one of the liveliest Stack-chan gatherings yet. Many community members shared their projects, updates, and ideas, and we were also very happy to welcome the M5Stack team from Shenzhen, which made this year’s event even more special. Stack-chan is an open-source palm-sized communication robot, but more than that, it has grown through the creativity and continuous participation of its community. Over the past five years, people have built new mods, applications, faces, voices, hardware variations, and many other experiments around Stack-chan. Thank you to everyone who joined, presented, supported the event, or has contributed to Stack-chan in any way. Event page: https://stack-chan.connpass.com/event/394846/ YouTube archive: https://www.youtube.com/live/7sIlyWFUqsw?si=Qg_RtoDIF2dEoZFe Happy birthday, Stack-chan! submitted by /u/Few_Competition6685 [link] [Kommentare]

After designing and printing the gearbox in-house, it’s time to see how much torque it can actually handle. Early results look promising — more testing and improvements coming soon! submitted by /u/Personal-Wear1442 [link] [Kommentare]

I am looking for some help with servos. I need to control the brown bakelite switch via a rotary servo, using the brass switch. When the brass switch is centred, the servo needs to be centred. When the brass switch is set to 1 or 2, the servo needs to rotate 57.5 degrees clock or anticlock. The bakelite switch changes from magneto ignition to coil ignition so the changeover, switching from 1 to 2 or vice versa needs to be quick or the car will stall. Maybe a tenth of a second? submitted by /u/Comfortable_Low_9316 [link] [Kommentare]