P.A.R.T.S.: Autonomous Manipulation using the Robotis OpenManipulator-X Arm

Join the Portland Area RoboTics Society (P.A.R.T.S.) for an insightful presentation by Joseph Cole on his journey into autonomous robotics!

Abstract: This talk covers his lessons learned (so far) during development of his Robo-Fetch project, where he is working to create a fully autonomous ball thrower for his dog. He is using this project to teach himself more about the latest digital twin tools for robotics, and to explore the pros and cons of various AI options for physical manipulation with visual feedback. He discusses the kinematic calculations specific to the OpenManipulator design, his efforts so far to build a digital twin of the setup in Blender with plans to transition to Omniverse IsaacSim, and his work-to-date on the AI ball detection. 🐶⚾

In this session, you'll dive into:

• The specific kinematic calculations for the Robotis OpenManipulator-X arm design.
• Joe's efforts and experiences in building a digital twin of the setup, starting with Blender and with plans to transition to NVIDIA Omniverse Isaac Sim.
• His work-to-date and findings on AI ball detection for real-world interaction.
• Broader insights into autonomous manipulation and the integration of AI with physical systems.

About the Speaker Dr. Joseph (Joe) Cole is a distinguished figure in the Portland robotics community and an honored member of P.A.R.T.S. With a Ph.D. in Applied Physics, Joe brings over 20 years of experience developing computer vision and machine learning algorithms.
As the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Rose City Robotics, Joe is currently focused on building robots for disassembly of lithium-ion batteries. His extensive background includes work at Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and YorLabs, specializing in image processing and applied physics.

Joe has been a valued contributor to the Portland Area Robotics Society, regularly sharing his expertise through presentations and helping to bridge the gap between professional robotics development and our local community.

If you're interested in robotic arms, digital twins, AI for visual feedback, or simply love to see practical robotics projects in action, don't miss this talk!