Robotic Arm Catches Objects on the Fly

Posted on May 12, 2014

Researchers at the Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory at EPFL (LASA) have developed a robotic arm that is capable of catching objects with different shapes on the fly. The arm can react on the spot to catch objects. EPFL researchers say the robot can grab objects with complex shapes and trajectories in under five hundredths of a second. The arm is 1.5 meters long. It has three joints and a hand with four fingers.

The robot can be seen catching objects including a tennis racket and bottles in the video below. Take a look:

The LASA researchers developing the algorithms for the robotic arm say they were inspired by the way humans themselves learn: by imitation and trial and error.

Aude Billard, head of LASA, says in the announcement, "Increasingly present in our daily lives and used to perform various tasks, robots will be able to either catch or dodge complex objects in full-motion. Not only do we need machines able to react on the spot, but also to predict the moving object's dynamics and generate a movement in the opposite direction."


More from Science Space & Robots

  • CSU Researchers Forecast Extremely Active Atlantic Hurricane Season


  • Hyundai Motor and Kia Unveil DAL-e Delivery Robot


  • H5N1 Discovered at Texas Egg Facility


  • New Gecko Species Named After Van Gogh


  • Resin Fossil of Ant-Mimicking Spider Discovered