March 12, 2010

Smile and Say "Robotic Cheese"

Ohio State University developed an autonomous paparazzi bot that may take your picture if you smile nicely. It stands at about the same height as a human and if your expression pleases him, Ken Rinaldo's creation will stop, aim, snap that camera and upload your image to a social networking site. The bots recently were invited to the 2010 Olympics, where they undoubtedly had to compete with other paparazzi to get close to Shaun White.

Via OSU

Read More in: Autonomous Robots | Service Robots

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March 11, 2010

ABE Missing in Underwater Chilean Expedition

The Autonomous Benthic Explorer was lost on March 5 during an expedition off the coast of Chile. The 15 year-old underwater ABE was being used to map the sea bed and collect samples for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. While its disappearance had nothing to do with the recent earthquake, the researchers believe that one of its glass sphere may have imploded. This means that ABE could not return to the water's surface from its 222nd, and now probably final, dive.

Via Cape Cod Times

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine

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March 11, 2010

Robot Football Players Big Hit at CeBIT

Rajesh, Penny, Sheldon and Leonard apparently thrilled the crowd at the CeBIT Fair in Hanover, Germany when they performed in a football exhibition match. The University of Bemen's Wiebke Sauerland says that they use color and lines to "see" the orange ball, pitch it towards green and head for the yellow and blue goals. The team is planning to compete in the 2010 World Cup for robots this June in Singapore at the same time the "real" tournament will take place in So. Africa. Want your own sportsbot? It will set you back $13,500 dollars.

Via Google News

March 10, 2010

Robot Deals With Plastic Garbage

Mitsubishi and Osaka University researchers teamed to make a garbagebot with robotic arm that has laser sensing technology to distinguish and separate 6 different types of plastic. The 5' 6" x 6' 9" robot is currently undergoing tests before being unleashed on the public. Smaller versions are planned a a price of £37,000 (~$56,000) each.

Via Osaka University

March 10, 2010

Bots for Tots

Robots go plush with these three 8 x 2.5 x 13" Pillows. They are perfect for kids who could swallow small parts or are too young for metal bots. And when your toddlers tire out, lull them to sleep with this Robot Mobile from Tiger Tribe. Each of them is 4 x 2" and hangs from a stainless steel rod.

Via Robot Plush Pillows.

Read More in: Miscellaneous Robots | Robot Toys

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March 9, 2010

WENDY Built for Studying Human-Roman Interaction

WENDY (Waseda ENgineering Designed sYmbiont) was built in 1998 to study human-robot interaction. She could crack open eggs, slice veggies and pick up small objects. At a height of 4'9" and a weight of 355 lbs., she has stereo CCD cams for visual recognition and runs on WENDY-OS and RHICS (Robot Human Interactive Communication System) move by imitating human beings. We think it's time she took on a more contemporary look.

Via Waseda

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine

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Brauer's Uncommon Robots

We dig the fact that when Brauer makes robotic art, he does so by recycling. His bots are anything but common although they have basic names like Oscar and Horton. Here is his artful philosophy:

"In our modern world, where objects often have a single life, I aim at inventing a new existence for them by diverting them from their initial function. I particularly like the robust appearance of used steel and industrial materials. When I put them together, they start a new life as unique pieces of art, in which each component can tell its own story."

Check out his site for more robots.

Via Brauer (French)

March 8, 2010

CCC Seeks Director of Robotics

Now is your chance to make your name in the field of robotics. Calhoun Community College in Alabama is developing a $71 million R & D park and they are looking for a director. To qualify, you need a Master's degree, 5 year's worth of management experience and expertise in robotics. Check out the requirements at Calhoun's site before March 11.

Via News Courier

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine

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Bionic Foot Releases Energy

The University of Michigan created a bionic foot that can return some of the impact energy when the user walks. They are supposedly 30% more efficient than traditional prosthetic feet.

Professor Art Kuo said, "All prosthetic feet store and return energy, but they don't give you a choice about when and how. They just return it whenever they want. This is the first device to release the energy in the right way to supplement push-off, and to do so without an external power source."

Via U of M

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine

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March 5, 2010

Must Have: Mattel Screature

While your wimpy friends are busy with their Pleos, you can surprise and attack with your Screature. He uses IR sensors to find and get his prey while screaming in that hideous dinosaur kind of way. Pet him on the back and he will be nice, but if you touch him on the nose, he will spit water at you. The Screature needs 3 AA (included) batteries to wreak havoc and can be placed in room guard mode to protect your other bots.

Via Screature

Read More in: Must Have Robot Friday | Robot TV

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So. Korea to Employ English Teaching Bots

South Korea has invested $45 million in robotic teaching assistants because of a shortage of real ones. The plan is to place 500 in preschools by 2011 and 8,000 of them by 2013. Meant to teach English, the bots are for those students who want to study abroad and be competitive with other English speaking countries. In the future, they may also assist in other tasks such as teaching toddlers to walk.

Via Korea Times

March 4, 2010

Wii Remotes Contro Robo-Band Percussionist

Patrick Flanagan took two Nintendo Wiimotes and created a percussionist for the robo-band Jazari. When one plays, it can create a response from other ones to create a drum circle. The buttons control the tones and volume, while tilting can change the pace of the beat. The band was named for Al-Jazari, a man that supposedly created the planet's first robotic band in the 13th century.

Via Popsci

Read More in: Robot Music | Robot Videos

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Romotec Provides Caterpillar Telehandler to LAPD

Romotec, maker of robots for police departments, delivered a Caterpillar TL1255 Telehandler, a stronger, heavier and more versatile bot to the LAPD last week. the company claims "With the delivery of the robotic Telehandler, we've reached an important milestone for Remotec and our customers: We can now offer them an additional class of unmanned ground vehicles designed to meet new and emerging threats head on."

Whew. We feel much better knowing that a better bot is protecting us and that, between chores, can hoe a few rows of veggies.

Via CNN

March 3, 2010

Cheeky Monkey Debuts at NY Toy Fair

One of the participants in the recent NY Toy Fair was the "Cheeky Monkey," designed by Nick Donaldson of Got Robots?. It can perform 16 actions via remote and should have a price of around $20 when released this summer from MechRC.

Via Robot Dreams

Red Robot Protects Laptop

Cover your 17" laptop with this Red Robot Gelaskin. Made with 3M Technology, it can be repositioned or removed without leaving residue. Compatible with Apple MacBook Pro, PowerBook, and most PC laptops, the thin cover will keep it safe from dirt, dust, scratches and evil bots that lurk in corners.

Via Red Robot Gelaskin