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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

TUBO Service Bot Hails from Korea

TUBO (Tungmyong University roBOt) may become a Korean's best friend in the future. The researchers have given him stereo cameras for face recognition, SLAM, language comprehension (but only in Korean) and reading capability. The service bot moves on 2 wheels and runs by 2 manipulators.

Via Plastic Pals

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

Illinois Police Bot Discovers Gunman

Never send in a deputy when a robot can do the job. A gunman entered a Macomb, Illinois Farm King and supposedly demanded guns and ammunition. Although Jonathan J. Labbe fired several shots during a standoff with the Sheriff's Dept. that lasted six hours, none of the 6 people inside the store were injured and no hostages were taken. The gunman was found dead in the housewares section by the police's remote controlled tactical robot.

Via WGEM

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

PFU Kiosk Becomes More User Friendly

Fujitsu's subsidiary PFU Limited has created a more personal kiosk. The screen features a eerie-looking face created by Big Towns, a company that specializes in computer graphics. The lower touchscreen interface contains Omron software that can determine a person's approximate age and gender and can better suggest products that fit the data. Look for the Robokiosk at a shopping center or carnival in Japan in the future.

Via robo-fan (translated)

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

Attend BarBot 2010 - Skumps!

If you are fortunate to be in the vicinity of the DNA Lounge in San Francisco this Wednesday, be sure to attend their third annual Cocktail Robot Festival. Tickets for the BarBot 2010 are only $10.00 ($15.00 at the door) and the fee entitles you to an evening of being served by robots, sung to by same and perhaps a dancing bot or two.

Via DNA Lounge

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

HERB the Butler

Meet HERB (Home Exploring Robotic Butler.) He can open doors, clean tables and fetch your pipe. He was built on a Segway platform, then human-like arms were added by the Intel Research Group. Using algorithms, he searches for objects, avoids obstacles, grasps objects and passes them around. Future applications include being used to assist the disabled and elderly.

Via Intel Research

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (1) | Email This |

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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

Proto-2 Walks Better But is No Beauty

It's Advanced Robotic Systems Laboratories' turn to release our choice for creepy-looking robot of the week. Proto-2 has an "expressive" face (looks pained to us,) and a better waling gait thanks to ARSL's dynamic toe-joint. At a height of 81.3cm, the humanoid bot is made of plastic and aluminum and features a 1.3 megapixel camera, directional microphones, joint positioning, and temperature and load feedback. Future applications may include using Proto-2 for research, in medical facilities and as Diego-San's new best friend.

Via ARS

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |

RP-7 Communicates With Patients

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

Sheila Franklin at Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This |