Engineering news
British technology company Dyson plans to invest £5 million into a joint robotics lab with Imperial College London, which will focus on vision systems research.
Dyson has been researching robotics for the past 15 years, and since 2005 and the firm has been working with Imperial College and Professor Andrew Davison to develop machines that use vision to logically navigate their surroundings.
Robotic vacuum cleaners will be one area of study, alongside research into other types of domestic robots.
Dyson hopes that the research will lead to new robotic capabilities, creating a generation of robots that understand the world around them and which can intelligently interact as it changes.
Sir James Dyson said: “My generation believed the world would be overrun by robots by the year 2014. We now have the mechanical and electronic capabilities, but robots still lack understanding - seeing and thinking in the way we do.
“Mastering this will make our lives easier and lead to previously unthinkable technologies.”
Prof Davison, who will be leading the lab, commented: “A truly intelligent domestic robot needs to complete complex everyday tasks while adapting to a constantly changing environment.
“We will research and develop systems that allow machines to both understand and perceive their surroundings - using vision to achieve it.”
Founded by Sir James Dyson in 1993, Dyson designs and manufactures vacuum cleaners, hand dryers, bladeless fans and heaters.
The firm has a facility in Wiltshire which focuses on research and development in the areas of microbiology and fluid, electrical, thermal, acoustic and software engineering.