“Humans use their hands and fingers and can make accommodations for changes in the shape or size of a cardboard box,” Akella says. “A robot isn’t as sophisticated or flexible in accommodating change. But robots have an advantage in that they don’t get repetitive stress injuries.” By applying basic geometry applications, Akella’s software will design box shapes that can easily be folded by a machine. The software and interchangeable hardware also would allow assembly-line machines to conduct more than one task, meaning the same robot could fold various boxes in different ways, and fold the same box more than once. Applications of this research include the automated packaging of products in factories and warehouses, and the design of pop-up 3-D MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) devices to create sensing and other computer-based devices. Sheet metal bending operations and the design of satellite panels for unfolding in space are other possible uses. As a recipient of the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award, Akella is receiving nearly $400,000 from the National Science Foundation over the next five years to develop algorithms for new software applications. CONTACT: Theresa Bourgeois, (518) 276-2840, bourgt@rpi.edu
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