Robot Videos
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
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
February 26, 2010
Feeny Almost Attends the Olympics
LG's mascot now has a name. Feeney, chosen after a recent contest, is not only a Whisen air conditioner spokesbot in print, he has his own Olympic commercial in all his CGI splendor.
Via Tech Fever
February 23, 2010
UK Plans Drones for 2012 Olympics
The UK is developing a fleet of modified military aircraft drones for surveillance. Including miniature tactical crafts like the AirRobot and the HERTI drone, already in Afghanistan, they will be used on bad motorists with road rage, protesters and others that wreak havoc. Look for them to be in place by the 2012 Olympics and to be equipped with tasers, disorienting strobe lights and non-lethal projectiles.
Via Wired
February 22, 2010
TIROL-CHOCO Robots Compete
Witness the 4th annual TIROL-CHOCO Robot Competition that pits bipedal robots made with candy boxes. The bots race on a 2m track, compete in chocolate target practice at paper cups and carry chocolate. And you thought bon bons were just for eating.
Via Biped Robot News
"Surrogates" Vs. Bruce Willis
We are not big Bruce Willis fans but we screened "Surrogates" last weekend anyway because we never miss an opportunity to see a film that even hints at robotic takeover. The plot concerns a future that finds robots appearing for humans in public so that the perpetually lazy can remain couch potatoes. Willis gets involved in that world when it is found out that when a surrogate is destroyed, its human suffers the same fate. Not a great flick, but worth a 90 minute investment for those who dig action and robots.
By the way, you can create your own surrogate on a Virtual Self Industries' site.
Via "Surrogates" Official Site
February 19, 2010
Second Gen ApriAttenda More Flexible
Toshiba recently released a second version of their ApriAttenda. The newest bot has two arms with 3-fingered hands that can hold simple objects and a head cam for navigation and recognition. While the original was designed to follow its user around, this one is designed to take a more active role. The company is also testing the iArm, a super-waldo designed to assist in grabbing, eating and other "handy" duties.
Via Plastic Pals
February 17, 2010
Wearable Robot Hangs on Shoulder
Don't look now but there is a robot crawling up your arm. Tsumaki Telerobotics Laboratory at Yamagata University in Japan has developed a wearable Robot that can sit on a co-worker's shoulder during a teleconference and looks where you do, well almost. Watch out for bullies that threaten to knock, smack or otherwise try to remove Telecommunicator T1 off your shoulder.
Via Telerobotics
February 15, 2010
Texas Alphas Telecommute for Willow Garage
Willow Garage developed Texas Alphas, open-source robots designed for telecommuters. Mostly a computer on wheels, a monitor displays the user's face and a webcam allows her/him see what's going on. Communication is done via Skype. The company has 25 "Texai" that will be used for Human-Robot Interaction research and sent to other companies to study. Best of all, the robots dock themselves at night to be fresh and ready for that morning meeting. Hold the donuts.
Via Willow Garage
February 12, 2010
Must Have: The New and Improved Pleo
Pleo is back with new improvements and was shown off at the CES 2010 by his new owner, Innvo Labs. Changes include improved skin, a better paint job and a new charger. This is good news for both old and new fans who don't want the dinobot to become extinct.
Via PleoWorld
February 11, 2010
Palro Runs on Atom Processor
Palro (pal + robot) is 15" tall, has 20ยบ of freedom, an integrated camera and is Fuji Soft's latest entry into robotics. The autonomous bot can carry on conversations and is expected to hit the streets mid-March. Add to that an Atom processor and software with plenty of options and a hefty price tag of about $3,300.
Via FSI (translated)
February 9, 2010
Robonaut 2 - Building Better Cars in Space
Team GM and NASA together and you end up with Robonaut 2, the second generation of service bots that can be used as both an astronaut and assembly plant worker. Developed at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, it can lift 20 lbs. with each arm and has nimble hands, fingers and opposable thumbs. We don't expect that unemployed auto workers will be cheered by his release, but he will cut down on the amount of Tang needed in space.
Via Robonaut
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
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
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