R2-D2 USB 4-Port Hub

One can never have enough Star Wars robots around. Plug the R2-D2 USB 4-port Hub into your computer and he lights up, moves his head, and speaks in that animated language we have all grown to love, even if we can't understand it. The hub will be out in August, but you can pre-order now at Geek Stuff 4U for $67.72 if the force is with you.

Via Akihabara News

Test Your Robo IQ

Want to test your Robo-knowledge? Boston.com has a little quiz to see if you remember onscreen bots from the past. While most of them are fairly simple, like our friends here, if you get them all, watch out, you are either dating yourself or watching too many movies.

(Thanks, Jake)

Via boston.com

Mr. Potato Head Comes to Disneyland

Times have certainly changed since "It's a Small World" was created at Disneyland. Take a peak at this huge Mr. Potato Head, part of Disney's new attraction at two of their theme parks. The animatronic veggie took about two years to create, features the voice of comedian Don Rickles, and is the barker in the Toy Story Midway Mania. Disney worked with Pixar to create the head who speaks about 20 minutes worth of banter and is the first animatronic figure to move its lips. He can also remove and replace his own ear. Too strange!

Via Mechatronics Zone

Wall-E Mod by bit-tech

Talk about awesome! The team at bit-tech came up with their own Wall-E to celebrate his coming out. They used an old Gamecube, added a movable platform, acrylic, and plexiglass, then airbrushed their mod for the complete effect. Both his arms and legs are movable. We understand that even some of the folks at Pixar got to see their creation. Props to the clever designers.

Via bit-tech

Shopping for Wall-E Stuff

Can't get enough of Wall-E? We found all kinds of stuff that you can get to feed your cravings. There are already hundreds of products out that include the soundtrack, books on the making of, a plug and play toy/game, plushies, party supplies, posters, masks, remote controlled toys, mini-figures, and tattoos! If you get to see the flick before we do (you can even pre-order that,) save us some popcorn and let us know what you thought about it.

Via Wall-E Stuff

Must Have Robot: RobotSnob Declares Today Wall-E Day

We declare this honorary Wall-E Day! If you are going to miss the premiere or want to avoid the audience of screaming kidlets, here's a taste of what you missed. You go, bot!

We figure this is a great way to introduce Must Have Robot Friday, because how could you not want this little guy to hang with?

By the way, Ben Burtt speaks for the diminutive robot. He is mostly known for his creaturely voices that include Chewbacca, E.T., and a host of sound effects for various movies. Don't tell anyone, but we hear the lightsaber noise from Star Wars came by mixing the sound of an old 35mm projector with a TV tuned between channels.

Via Official Wall-E Site at Wall-E

New Robocop Planned by MGM

We heard the rumor about the return of Robocop in film. What fun! Sure enough, we did some checking around and it seems to have been mentioned at the Licensing International Expo 2008 in NY, and we found this bit in a press release from MGM itself:

"MGM will enter its new phase of evolution by focusing on its major movie franchises highlighted by JAMES BOND and PINK PANTHER sequels, THE HOBBIT, THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR 2, THE OUTER LIMITS, ROBOCOP, DEATH WISH and FAME, among others."

We can't wait, and although we suspect that there will be a lot of CGI going on in the flick, we bet that Robocop can cream The Hulk in a heartbeat.

Via: MGM press release

Amazon Offers Selected Tranformers 70% Off

Great news for those who still play with their kids' toys and are proud to admit it. Amazon has decided to let some of its Transformers go and you get to save 70% if you decide to adopt one or several. For example, this Transformers Real Gear Robots High Score 100 changes into a game controller (non-working, of course,) and back into its robotic form. At a price of only $6.99, that's a lot of bot for the money. Better hurry, as it appears there are only a few of these left. If you miss out, there are others to choose from as the sale will be going on until June 18.

Via Amazon at Transformers Real Gear Robots High Score 100

DIY Paper R2-D2

One can never have enough Star Wars bots. Who knew that R2-D2 is available in paper form? These plans come full size on the Japanese site for downloading, and we got the idea from the translation that there is both a 3 and 4 inch version available. This may take some skill with the scissors and previous origami projects to get the instructions down. We figure it will make an awesome companion to our Pez C3-Po.

Via S F Papercraft

KungFu Panda Goes Animatronic

It didn't take long to get the star of KungFu Panda to become an animatronic buddy. Mattel's Kickin' Po has sounds and sensors to react to your feeble attempts at ninja moves. Apparently, he wields his nun chuck and will attempt to roundhouse kick you when you least expect it. And of course, Jack Black provides the voice. About 13" tall, he is available for about $29.99.

And if you are the type that like a fighting chance, there is also a KungFu Panda Rock'Em Sock'Em Robots with added kicking action for $19.99.

Via Toyology at Mattel's Kickin' Po

DIY Wall-E if You Just Can't Wait!

We waded through a couple of hours over the weekend watching "Finding Nemo" just to catch a preview of Pixar's "Wall-E" between commercials, which is premiering June 27. If you are as excited as we are, you can now build your own with 50, count 'em, 50 step-by-step instructions. The clever bot has flashing eyes, a midriff stash box, and requires mattracks as the main drive unit. The Wall-E clone is amazingly detailed, down to its lackluster finish. If you do not have the necessary talent for this there are already a whole slew of Wall-Es out there.

Via Instructables at Wall-E

Disney Making Roads into Robotic Toy Market

With the new Pixar and Disney produced Wall-E movie coming very soon, it's no surprise that Disney is getting into the robot toy craze. Disney Consumer Products is collaborating with Pixar, Thinkway Toys and WowWee to Develop Robotic Toys That Talk, Dance, Fly, Respond to Commands, Feature Motion Tracking and more.

The robotic toys are inspired by Wall-E, the adorable robot from the Disney·Pixar theatrical release of the same name set to debut this summer, and Tinker Bell, the beloved Disney Fairy. The iDance Wall-E dancing boombox will be available in June; the Ultimate Wall-E robotic toy and the remote control Tinker Bell flying toy will be available this fall. With life-like movements and features designed to impress and delight fans of all ages, these new robotic toys are anticipated to be big hits with holiday shoppers this year.

Full details after the jump...

Continue reading: "Disney Making Roads into Robotic Toy Market"

Wall-E Movie Robot is Jonathan Ive's Latest Design

Eve, the female character to stand opposite Wall-E the new Pixar movie focused on robots was designed in part by Apple lead designer Jonathan Ive. But what's funny about it being "designed by Ive" is the fact he didn't do any of the designs - he just gave approval with simple nods of his head to the ones he liked presented by the Pixar team. Ive has had little to say about the design for the robot for fear of giving away the possible design direction of what he was doing for Apple in the future. Oh well - the design is very striking, and we think a good pick if you ask us, even if it is a little iPod like.

Via Gizmodo at Fortune