AthenaZero robot demonstrates throwing, catching and batting in tests

Researchers at the Robotics and AI Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have demonstrated a dual-arm robot throwing, catching and batting balls, Electronics For You reported. Called AthenaZero, the system combines low-inertia arms, custom actuators and joints that respond to external forces to handle moving objects and physical impacts. External forces can move its arms even when the motors are not driving them, and the powered system can adjust its stiffness. The baseball-inspired tests exercise rapid movement, hand-eye coordination and synchronisation between both arms. Researchers plan to explore additional manipulation tasks; potential uses in industrial assembly and object handling require further validation.