Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi) have created a mobile robot named Robomuse 5.0 to cater to multiple industries. It has the capability to transport payloads weighing up to 100 kilograms and can manipulate objects. According to a statement by the Institute, the mobile robot will also serve as an excellent research platform for educational institutions and research organisations.
The mobile robot is designed to transport heavy objects within a factory setting. When equipped with a manipulator on its top, it can effectively execute pick-and-place operations, such as disposing of defective items into a bin. IIT-Delhi’s technology innovation hub, the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), and a Pune-based company, have entered into a licensing agreement to facilitate the technology transfer of Robomuse 5.0.
Robomuse 5.0 incorporates ROS (Robot Operating System) capabilities and boasts a modular mechanical design that allows for a zero turning radius. Consequently, the robot offers straightforward autonomous navigation and control.
The robot was originally developed by students from IIT-Delhi for the Doordarshan-Robocon (DDR) competition in 2008. To assess its durability and stability, the robot was subsequently deployed at the institute’s Student Activity Centre (SAC) to autonomously move on a straight path for 24 hours, until it was reported non-functional by security personnel on duty.
In the subsequent years, multiple modifications were made to Robomuse through B. Tech. and M. Tech. projects, incorporating feedback received periodically. These modifications were conducted under the guidance of Professor S.K. Saha from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT-Delhi. The robot has been exhibited at numerous conferences and exhibitions, and its software is protected by copyright.
IHFC has supported several initiatives to promote learning and innovation in the field of robotics. In January, IHFC was crucial in guiding and training students from grades 9 and 10 for the Delhi Robotics League (DRL). As of the beginning of the year, 26 boot camps have been conducted and over 800 students have attended the training sessions.
The primary objective of the boot camps is to foster teamwork among young individuals and encourage them to utilise their skills in the development of robots. The training provided in these boot camps goes beyond the fundamentals of robotics, encompassing practical applications of robotics in daily life.
Another objective is to equip the students with the necessary knowledge and expertise to actively participate in “Robo-Kancha,” an event organised as part of the DRL 2023 initiative. It is a collaboration between the Delhi government and IHFC. Robo-Kancha will showcase humans and robots joining forces to participate in the traditional game of Kancha (marbles). The finals have been scheduled for the first week of July.
The Indian government has been pushing schools to introduce classes on emerging technology, including robotics. Earlier this year, a government school in Raipur, Chhattisgarh announced plans to offer robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) classes to its students. It enables nearly 500 students from different classes to gain knowledge about creating models and electronic devices. The school is among ten other government schools in India equipped with a robotics laboratory under Project Jigyasa. The project covers Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the curriculum will differ for students from grades 4 and 5, who will be taught about models without electronic devices, and for students from grades 6 to 10, who will receive training on creating electronic models.