Robot Plugs Inself Into Outlet
New technologies allow robots to automatically plug themselves into a wall outlet when they need a charge
Autonomously seeking out power for battery recharging is a pretty crucial capability for advanced mobile robots. While Roomba-like docking stations are a quick fix, "plugging in" to existing infrastructures is preferable. Not long ago, the robotics world was abuzz with the Willow Garage Milestone 2, where (among other things) a PR-2 robot plugged itself into 9 different wall outlets.
Another self-charging robot is Intel's mobile manipulating robot, named Marvin, that appears to be a Segway RMP 100 with Barrett WAM Arm and runs the Willow Garage ROS NavStack. The thing that makes this work really cool is the power plug, which is specially 3D-printed for the robot's end-effector and contains integrated electric field (E-Field) sensing electronics.
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