Through the Robots For Good project, Wevolver wants to give terminally ill children the chance to have a virtual experience at the London Zoo
The power of the internet cannot be witnessed more evidently than at Wevolver. The web-based platform allows users to share and work together on open-source hardware projects. Its latest offshoot, Robots For Good, came about after co-founder Richard Hulskes visited Maker Faire in New York, where he witnessed first hand a connection someone created between the "InMoov robot" – a humanoid robot - and a virtual reality display mounted on the head. This meant every time the person moved his head, the movement would be mimicked by the robot.
Hulskes set out to find a way to use this innovation for the greater good. Once back in London, he approached the Great Ormond Street hospital to see if there was a way the technology could be used to improve the lives of terminally or severely ill children who are confined to their hospital rooms most of the time.
From there emerged the idea to create the InMoov Explorer, a mobile robot that lets children create a virtual experience of the London Zoo. However, to make the robot complete, it needed legs. Instead of making them, which would've taken up to a year, Hulskes and the team found a solution in another project on the Wevolver platform; an open-source Segway known as Open Wheels. Now, the robot would be able to move around on the wheels of the Segway.
The project is coming along, with people from around the world offering their help. What's unique about the project is its low cost. Compared with consumer facing robots, which can have a price tag of $100,000, this prototype could be made for $2,500.
The robot is also 3D printable, which makes it easy to replicate anywhere in the world and with the use of different materials, depending on their availability. The project is a reflection of our time when people can create products independently of big manufacturers.
www.roboticsforgood.ae
