— inside3dprinting.com
(3Ders.org) — Researchers at the Intelligent Motion Laboratory at Indiana University developed a method to create inexpensive, table-top-sized robot models called ROBOPuppets to provide teleoperate input control to full-sized robots. RoboPuppet is a 3D-printed miniature replica of the target robot, which uses encoders embedded in the joints to translate the user’s physical action with the puppet into the motion on the robot. The kinesthetic mode of operation is familiar to those who played with action figures and dolls as children. It lets users control complex motions in a cheap and more intuitive way than traditional joysticks or joint level control.