Robot Snob

NCSU Develops Robo-Bat

2009-07-10T12:56:00Z

North Carolina State University has been developing the Robo-Bat, a remote controlled creature that can produce an entire range of motion but will return to its original position like its living counterparts. Instead of bones, cartilage and tendons, it consists of an elastic shape-memory metal alloy for its joints and other "smart" materials that respond to electric current. The team believes it can be useful in surveillance and learning more about aerodynamics.

Via NCSU

DIY Loopin Creatures

2009-07-10T00:54:00Z

Elena Corchero got together with textile electronics developer ZippyKit to help teach your kids some elementary robotics. Loopins come in kits that can be developed in two configurations. Made of precut felt, LED, batteries and battery holder, when completed, a Loopin's eyes will light up when its ears are touched together or makes contact with another of its kind. Available from the online shop Lost Values in different colors for £12.00 ($19.80) each, get several and you can have your own robotic hen party.

Via Lost Values

Robots for Kids

2009-07-09T12:58:00Z

French Bull's
Designer Juice Cups are made of melamine, so they are mostly high heat resistant, shatterproof and safer than many made from other materials. But if you find out that the kids stuck Pepsi in the cup instead of juice, send them to the bathroom to brush their teeth. This little wooden Tatiri Toothbrush Holder Robot won't berate them but does come with a 2 minute timer so it will be more than just a fun companion.

Via French Bull

Chinese Doppelganger Creepily Realistic

2009-07-09T00:56:00Z

The Xian Chaoren Sculpture Research Institute in China can duplicate humans so realistically that you can have your own doppelganger. The sculptures are made of simulated silica gel and are apparently a hit at art exhibitions, museums, and those who can afford them. Take a look at their site...which is the human?

XSM

Android, the Movie

2009-07-08T12:54:00Z

We recently rescreened the 1982 PG rated movie "Android" with Klaus Kinsky, Brie Howard and Don Keith Opper (who also co-wrote it.) It may seem slightly dated but the animated sequence with the MAX 404's mini androids has made it a cult classic and must see viewing for any generation of bot lovers.

Via "Android"

Toyota's Wheelchair Runs on Brain Waves

2009-07-08T01:06:00Z

Toyota has developed a system that can drive a wheelchair with only brain waves. Working with Japanese researchers, the new technology takes only 125 milliseconds to go from brain to chair. The person in it dons a cap that reads signals, relayed to an EEG, analyzed on a computer program, then powers up the electric chair. The system allows for turning right or left but to stop one must puff into a detector placed on a cheek. Honda is also working on a system by using ASIMO, but neither will be available to consumers in the immediate future.

Via Physorg

Robot Signs - Protection Both Inside and Out

2009-07-07T12:54:00Z

Let everyone you know that you have robotic patriotic protection with this indoor or outdoor Robot Sign. Made of aluminum and vinyl, the 12" sign, made in the US, has 2 pre-punched holes and rounded corners for younger bot lovers. Then sneak out one night and replace your ordinary street sign with a 4 x 18" aluminum sign that can be custom designed. Go Robots!

Via Custom Aluminum Sign

G1 Optimus Prime Protects and Plays Music

2009-07-07T00:48:00Z

This G1 Optimus Prime is musically inclined. When plugged into your USB, the 3 lb. gadget's helmet folds out to become a pair of speakers. Set to arrive this month for $49.99, get the collectors grade for an additional $2.00 that comes sealed inside its box.

Via Big Bad Toy Store

SCRATCHbot Rescues in the Dark

2009-07-06T13:04:00Z

The Bristol Robotics Lab and the University of Sheffield have created the SCRATCHbot (Spatial Cognition and Representation through Active TouCh.) The robotic rat can run through the dark and feel its way around with plastic whiskers. The robot's sensors actually sweep like their real life relatives. The team is hoping that they will be used for rescuing victims from smoke filled buildings. Looking at the SCRATCHbot's design, we think it's a good think it will be dark.

Via Daily Contributor

Must Have: Tengu All Stars

2009-07-04T00:52:00Z

He may not move around much but we found our Tengu way too much fun for humans when he first came out. (Note that the face cover was left on to protect him from our cat.)

Our bud Mr. Jones has a new batch that he has dubbed the All Stars. Each one is as much fun as the original but now you can make it more your own with wig and stickers. He will work through both Mac and PC USB ports and will respond to any noise he hears. He has several different expressions and will be your friend for £25 (~$36.00,) even when no one else will.

(Thanks, Crispin)

Via Tengu

DIY Robot Voice Modulator

2009-07-03T12:54:00Z

How curious that as roboticists strive to make their creations' voices more human, "randofo" has made a device to make humans sound more like robots. Using an IKEA clock body, flourescent desk lamp, condenser mic, voice modulator and some other parts, this looks like a project for someone who has more than average ability. When the DIY kit is complete, it can not only make you sound robotic, you can plug in other instruments, mics or audio players and play around with its vibrato and pitch shifting.

Via Instructables

Wall-E Transformer

2009-07-03T00:52:00Z

The clever Japanese company PCWR managed to turn our beloved Wall-E into a transformer. Perhaps if they had put him in the movie, it might have turned out to be a kinder, less violent film.

Via PCWR

Learn to Draw Robots

2009-07-02T13:06:00Z

For those who cannot build, but have talent as an artist, Keith Thompson has created this unique book that will teach you the basics of drawing 50 Robot designs with over 200 illustrations. Once you have your "starter" model, you can add to it to make it your own. Learn to create clockwork bots, insectoids, shock-troopers, bipedal anti-tanks and more.

Via 50 Robot Designs

AntDesignStore USB Robot Drives

2009-07-02T01:10:00Z

Look, more USB Robot Drives. Made by AntDesignStore and available in 6 different colors, each holds 2GB and has eyes that light up in robotic glee. If you would like to add one or more to your collection, they are priced at ¥6000 each (~$63.00.)

Via Geek Stuff 4 U

Manga Robot Serves Coffee

2009-07-01T13:04:00Z

Combine a Manga type robot and a Kondo KHR-2HV robot kit and maybe you too can get a bot to make and serve your coffee. Created by "Clockwork," it uses 20 digital KRS-788HV servos, one GWS-PICO-STD servo motor and is controlled by a PCB in its head.

via Dvice

Monthly Round-Up - June 2009

2009-07-01T01:13:05Z

We are continuously surprised and pleased that there are such advancements in robotics, both here and worldwide. What seemed like Sci-Fi only a couple of decades are now becoming fact. Check out our June Round-Up if you missed any of the fun, not the least of which was the saving of our beloved Pleo. And visit our new Facebook page! We would dig having you as a friend, even if you are a human.

Autonomous Robots

Medical Bot Detects Shrapnel Autonomously

Humanoid Robots

Make Your Own Robot

Military Robots

Miscellaneous Robots

Must Have Robot Friday

Pleo

Jetta Saves Pleo From Extinction

Robot Art

Robots Adorn Onesies

Robot Books

Robot Movies

Robot Music

Robot Science/Medicine

Robot TV

Must Have: It's All About Transformers

Robot Toys

Robot Vacuums

Robot Videos

Service Robots

Ugobe Pleo

Jetta Saves Pleo From Extinction

iRobot

Blacklist Studios Comic "Robot 13"

2009-07-01T00:50:00Z

Writer Thomas Hall and Artist Daniel Bradford have teamed to create Blacklist Studios. The result of the pairing is "Robot 13", a comic that is small on price but big on talent. Basically the hero, a skull headed robot, fights Greek Mythological monsters. A copy can be yours for $5.25 and that includes shipping.

Via Blacklist Studio

Giant Gundam Takes Over Odaiba

2009-06-30T13:08:00Z

This past March, we mentioned that the Gundam franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a giant 18 meter tall version of the robot that lights up at night to freak out Japan. It is now here and located on Odaiba, a human made island. From the images, the real thing looks freakin' awesome!

Via Pink Tentacle

MyDeskFriend Shares Facebook

2009-06-30T01:06:00Z

MyDeskFriend is a prototype penguin that will be available from the Swiss company Arimaz. Place him next to your PC in his docking station and he will interact by following your finger without falling off your desk, respond to voice commands and can memorize up to 15 short key words. His eyes change color depending on his mood. Connect him to your Facebook profile and you will actually have to take care of him, virtually anyway, since he displays when he is hungry or tired. If you invest the $99.00 and can get your friends to interact with him on the social site, you will know you have a winner.

Via Arimaz

Robots Adorn Onesies

2009-06-29T13:10:00Z

Next time you are stuck going to a baby shower, show your robotic love with the organic cotton Robots Dancing Onesie from Foco Loco. Choose between five colors and 2 sizes. The same design also comes in a long sleeve version and t-shirt, both with the same options.

Via Foco Loco

Must Have: Robot Alarm Clocks

2009-06-27T00:56:00Z

We can think of nothing we would like better than to wake up to the sound "Beep, Boop, Bop." Luckily we found this Robot Tech Alarm clock. With a dark blue frame, at least it will great you with a smile and comes with 3 AA batteries. But if you like your robots the strong silent type, you might want to opt for the Silver Robot Tabletop Alarm that stands all of 4" tall and needs 1 AA battery (not included.)

Via Robot Alarm Clocks

Medical Bot Detects Shrapnel Autonomously

2009-06-26T12:52:00Z

This incredible medical robot can locate shrapnel and guide a needle to the location in the body without human assistance. Developed by bioengineers at Duke University, they used a basic tabletop bot with a 3D ultrasound probe and an AI program. They attached an electromagnet to the probe so that when the shrapnel vibrated, its motion was detected. The autonomous medical bot may also have future applications as placing and removing radioactive "seeds" when treating cancer.

Via Science Daily

Beware the Abominable Snowbot

2009-06-26T01:06:00Z

Get ready for winter early with the Snowbot. He has an adjustable scan light in either red or blue, rotates his arms, has a control knob and an "authentic snowbot sound." Hook him up to your USB port and he will defend you against the Summerbot. (We figure there must be an arch nemesis out there somewhere.) The toy comes with a cable that extends to 30" and an off-seasonal price of $7.99.

(Thanks, Jim)

Via Think Geek

Buzz Lightyear Doesn't Quite Hit Infinity

2009-06-25T12:56:00Z

Probably our first exposure to robotics was the procuring of a toy demo for Mr. Gameshow in the 80s. When he got too annoying, I gave him away, but now he appears to be back in the form of Buzz Lightyear, who will be available for the holiday season for about $140.00. It has two modes, puppeteer and voice command, but we expect he will soon become as obnoxious as Mr. Gameshow, for a whole lot more money.

Via Gizmodo

JAST Robots Anticipate Human Needs

2009-06-25T00:50:47Z

The European Commission's Joint-Action Science and Technology researchers built a service bot that they say can anticipate needs of humans. The robot is programmed to help them put together a toy, pays attention to what part the person has, then finds the right tool to use. If a piece can be used in multiple ways, the bot will ask what the human is building to try to deal with a possible mistake.

The JAST team is hoping that it will lead to cooperative service bots who can anticipate and question human actions, as opposed to those that are pre-programmed. We figure that if they can let us know where our keys are, we are all for it.

Via JAST

Movie Cyborgs We Love

2009-06-24T12:58:00Z

If you like cyborgs (who doesn't?) and anime, you will love the flick "Appleseed Ex Machina." Produced by John Woo and directed by Shinji Aramaki, it is based on the science fiction manga by Shirow Masamune ("Ghost in the Shell",) so put them both on your must see movie list. Want to complete the series? See the original "Appleseed", not nearly as gruesome or flashy as the other two, but fun nonetheless.

Via Shirow Masamune

Robotic Iguana Not Too Scary

2009-06-24T00:52:00Z

We are not sure that it looks all that realistic, but this Iguana bobs its head up and down and crawls around your floor and may freak out your cat or the neighbors' kids. At a size of about 19", it has soft, pliable skin, needs 2 AAA batteries (not included) and can join your household for $19.98.

Via Things You Never Knew

Studio Mister Robot-o Webcam

2009-06-23T13:04:00Z

Last week it was the Mr. Roboto Watch, this week we pay tribute to the Mister Robot-o Webcam. Okay, so it is not technically a robot, but the sucker automatically follows you around, so it is close enough for us. At a size of 2.2 x 3.5 x 2.5", it adjusts 204º horizontally and 140° vertically. Easily mountable, it works with Skype, Windows Live, AOL, Yahoo and other IMs.

Via Mister Robot-o Webcam

Ferret Narc Seeks Out Evils

2009-06-23T00:54:00Z

The University of Sheffield is in the midst of creating a robotic narc. This "ferret" uses lasers and fiber optics to find drugs, weapons, explosives and illegal immigrants! (Do you suppose it checks for a green card?) The 30cm long cargo sniffing bot will be placed in a container at airports or seaports and relay information as it moves inside. Sensors can detect evil drugs and carbon dioxide, which indicates a human. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the prototype will be tested in about 2 years and ready for work in about 5 years.

Via University of Sheffield

Willow Garage Self-Feeding PR2

2009-06-22T13:10:00Z

Willow Garage's alpha robot PR2 (Personal Robot 2) has some amazing abilities. On display at the beginning of June, he walked through 8 doors and maneuvered around obstacles, including humans, that may have been in his way in less than an hour. But the kick here is that PR2 also plugged himself in for a recharge 9 times and knew enough to not break into a door that was locked. Attaboy!

Via Willow Garage