February 8, 2010

Super Bowl XLIV Ads Feature Robots


We cannot imagine that anyone missed the 2010 Super Bowl, but for those of you who may have missed a commercial or 2, robots were predominate in several of them. They had cameos in the spot for the Sorento, Intel and Waldos made an appearance in the ad for Vizio Apps. You can catch those and others via the link.

Via Fanhouse

Read More in: Advertising | Robot Videos

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February 8, 2010

RP-7 Communicates With Patients


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If you happen to be at the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami/Jackson Medical Center in Florida, you may run into InTouch Technologies' RP-7. The 5 ft. tall wireless robot allows patients and staff communicate to with doctors through a monitor mounted on top. Electronic tools, such as stethoscopes and ultrasound, can be connected to the robot's expansion bay in order to transmit medical data. Future applications may include using more of the robotic dudes on a battlefield to treat injured soldiers.

Via InTouch Health

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine | Service Robots

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February 5, 2010

Robot Snob Must Have - Tribot


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We are thinking that WowWee must be getting ready to debut a new bot as they are offering their Tribot at an amazingly cheap inexpensive 79% discount. Use his remote to get him to tell lame jokes or play games. The 15" high robot has 3 wheels, making him omni directional, and has multiple activity/alarm modes, several sensors and LED indicators. He also needs 8 AA and 3 AAA batteries, not included.

Via WowWee

Read More in: Must Have Robot Friday | Robot Toys | WowWee Robots

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February 5, 2010

CalcBots Teach Students by Calculation


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NASA has generously donated CalcBots, miniature Mars rovers, to the Takoma Park Middle School Science Club in Washington. By using TI-84 calculators, students, under the guidance of naval mechanical engineer Michael Britt-Crane, must figure out equations to allow the robots to function on a "mission." Perhaps one of their projects could include getting the full-size and now defunct Spirit to stop spinning its wheels and move along.

Via Washington Post

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine

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February 4, 2010

Candy-05 Tees Off


The Hajime Research Institute, with funding from NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization,) developed Candy-05, a 120cm tall robotic caddy on wheels. His cameras help him find a golf ball, determine the location of the hole and putt. Designed for Japanese golfers, maybe we should import one to bring back the fun of the game that seems to have suffered with Tiger's withdrawal from the sport.

Via Plastic Pals

Read More in: Robot Videos | Sports Robots

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

February 4, 2010

NAIT Redesigns Edmonton Police Bots


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The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology has improved on the Edmonton Police Service robots that they use for emergency operations. The result is an all wheel drive bot that can open doors, run over curbs and move at 16 mph. Woody weighs 100 lbs. and has a mast mounted camera that can act as eyes in hazardous situations. The cost was $10,000 but would be less if they were mass produced. This is certainly a step up from Edmonton's current bots that cost from $79,000 to $350,000 each. NAIT says that Woody should be complete in 1 - 2 years.

Via Edmonton Sun

Read More in: Service Robots

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

February 3, 2010

ASIMO to Show Off Singing Skills


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Is there no end to the talented ASIMO? It seems that a patent is in the works that will allow the Honda humanoid to name that tune and sing it. The patent has been filed by Stamoulis & Weinblatt, admirers of karaoke, no doubt.

Via US Patent Office

Read More in: Humanoid Robots

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Techno Robot Kit - Simplified Learning


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The Techno Robot Kit includes everything you need to build a 9.5" workable bot. Included are snap-together outer body, engine, wheels and adhesive. When complete, you only need to add 2 AA batteries to get your new best friend to get going.

Via Techno Robot Kit

Read More in: Make Your Own Robot

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February 2, 2010

Eat Less With Mandometer


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There are lots of toys out there that talk to you, like clocks and singing bass on the wall, and now the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden has devised an electronic plate that watches and responds to what you eat. The Mandometer connects to an electronic scale that weighs your food so your portions are limited and the speed that you eat it. Eat too fast and it tells you to slow down. So far the talking scale has been tested and found to be effective on younger children and teens.

Via My Digital Life

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

M-3iA Assembly Robot Picks and Chooses


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FANUC Robotics America has an answer to making a better assembly bot. The M-3iA is lightweight, portable and can carry weights of up to 6kg. With a three axis wrist, the glorified Waldo is flexible enough to assemble or pick up electronics, pharmaceuticals, supplies, etc. Because it is in an enclosed structure it can also be used in food environments. (Shall I pick you some fries to go with that Big Mac?)

Via FANUC Robotics

Read More in: Service Robots

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

February 1, 2010

May The Spirit RIP


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NASA's rover Spirit has been stuck in one place since last spring and its mission managers have finally given up trying to set it free. On Mars since its 2004 landing, it has taken over 100,000 pictures and will continue to take readings if it can. It's botty twin, Opportunity, is on the opposite end of the planet and still can function. We are thinking that perhaps the Oppbot can free the Spiritbot by giving it a gentle nudge or two, but then we are not exactly rocket scientists.

Via NASA

Read More in: Robot Science/Medicine

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

Robot Snob Monthly Roundup - January 2010


goldbot.jpgOut with January and in with February. In case you missed anything last month, here is our roundup with lots of bots to celebrate. Thanks for hanging with us and let us know if you have any comments, questions or robots to share.

Advertising

Autonomous Robots

Humanoid Robots

Lego Mindstorms NXT

Make Your Own Robot

Military Robots

Miscellaneous Robots

Monthly Roundup

Must Have Robot Friday

Prototype Robots

Robot Art

Robot Movies

Robot Music

Robot Science/Medicine

Robot Toys

Robot Vacuums

Robot Videos

Service Robots

Wearable Robots

iRobot

Read More in: Monthly Roundup

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

Feed Your Face With Robot Bowls and Plates


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Make mealtimes fun with French Bull's Robot Kids melamine set, each of which are lightweight and heat/shatter-resistant. Each bowl is 5 3/4" in diameter. Match them up with an set of 8" square plates that are also made of durable melamine.

Via French Bull

Read More in: Miscellaneous Robots

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

January 29, 2010

Robot Snob Must Have: Dress Up Your Babies With Bots


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What does the best dressed robot-loving baby wear? For starters, she/he dons this 100% cotton Body Suit with protection at mealtimes with a 10 x 9" Bumkins waterproof Superbib.

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When going out, the tot can sport a San Diego Hat Company chenille Robot Hat and nighttime is the right time for the Gerber Blanket Sleepers.

(Note: Clothing is not to scale.)

Via Robot Baby Clothing

Read More in: Must Have Robot Friday | Wearable Robots

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

Bioloid, the Wall Climber


Marko Wickrath, student at the Technical University in Dortmund, Germany, Robocup soccer referee and RoboGames Competitor designed Bioloid, a robot that can scale a wall. The robot studies it before it begins and sees it as a grid with an x and y axis. Then it autonomously climbs the randomly placed "rocks."

Via Suicide Bots

Read More in: Autonomous Robots | Robot Videos

Sheila Franklin Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This | Bookmark and Share

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