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Ralph S. Mosher is a pioneer in robotics with a number of seminal achievements in research, development and business. He was the principal in the development of complex manipulators (telechircs), including Handiman, and a 3000lb experimental four legged walking vehicle in the late 1960's, the GE walking truck. Other achievements include the Pedipulator, a 18 foot high walking testbed, and Hardiman, an advanced high-strength exoskelton. These developments were at General Electric in Schenectady, NY under funding from the US Army Tank Automotive Command (TACOM).
After 22 years at GE, Ralph left in 1971 to found Robotics Inc, a manufacturer of automated adhesive dispensing systems. Ralph sold the company in 1981 to an investment group and retired.
The seminar will cover the technology used in the GE work including bilateral servo mechanisms which provided force feedback and spatial correspondence between human operator and the corresponding mechanisms. Design elements of the systems will be described and performances defined. There will be strong emphasis on the necessary cybernetics between work and machine structures.
This is a unique and extraordinary opportunity to hear from a pioneer in the field.
For appointments on Thursday afternoon or Friday, please contact Kevin Dowling: nivek@cmu.edu or X8-8830.
This appears on the World Wide Web at http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/~mcm/seminar.html