Extra Credit Blog - Lecture at Cal Tech About Robotics

In Aaron D. Ames' lecture, he talked about the future of robotics and enhancing human lives with prosthetics and robotics. Of course, he did not fail to mention the numerous mathematical theorems involved in building a robot and the importance of making sure that the prosthetics/robots fall in line with the math.  Aaron focused on being able to create walking robots that will help us become closer to the dream of robots being able to have the artificial intelligence to be able to help humans and become our companions. He discussed his projects with Caltech's Cassie and other robots he worked with at Georgia Tech. While Ames shared with his audience the successes of creating his robots he also showed us the failures too. He emphasized the fact that creating robots take time, commitment, dedication, and money; expressing the importance and gratification they get when they finally create a robot that works. He also talked about the fact robots in the lab function very differently from when they are brought out into the real world. He shared with us that his leg prosthetic is the only one in the world able to mimic human movements of the ankle and foot. At the end of the lecture, he brought out Cassie and also the leg prosthetic and allowed the audience to view Cassie live and also demonstrate the prosthetic leg for us.