I, robot

Photo Batch Watermarker

2011-04-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

Protect pictures and convert images from one format to another, add time on pictures, resize/ shrink collections of pictures, rename images with meaningful names and so on. It can be a great companion for your collection of image editing software and a great time saver for you!

Razer trumpets leftie DeathAdder, southpaws raise the roof with just their left hand

2010-03-17T19:49:00.001-07:00

Say it with us, southpaws: "finally!" Razer is finally taking a stand for the under-appreciated (and vastly underserved) left-hand gamer market, and while we would've given these guys even more credit for developing an all-new mouse for lefties, we'll take a redesigned DeathAdder any day of the week. In essence, the DeathAdder Left Hand Edition is the exact same mouse that debuted last September, but in left hand form. The best part?
Razer's not charging a dime more for this version than the obviously more viable right handed model. Hey, guitar makers --
care to take a hint?

Razer DeathAdder Left Hand Edition

[Via: ]
[Tag: ]

EA Sports introduces Active 2.0 at GDC, complete with sensors galore

2010-03-10T10:49:00.001-08:00

By and large, EA Sports' Season Opener event here at GDC was underwhelming, but one glimmer of newness did manage to shine through. Nearly a year after Active hit stores (video after the break) and encouraged Wii gamers to drop those unwanted pounds before hitting the soft sand in the summer, the company has announced that Active 2.0 (a working title) is currently in development for Wii, PS3, iPod touch and iPhone. We're told that a "new suite of fitness products" will be launching in the fall, with the Active 2.0 program delivering "true fitness results by featuring an innovative wireless control system powered by new leg and arm straps with motion sensors, a heart rate monitor to capture intensity and a new online hub to track and share workout data." Outside of that, details are nonexistent (like how exactly the iPod / iPhone components will factor into this equation), though we get the feeling that Xbox 360 owners may be left out of the party. Here's hoping we're wrong.

EA Sports Active 2.0 accessories at GDC 2010

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See more video at our
hub!

[Via: ]
[Tag: ]

Archos Home Slate set to grace CeBIT with its family-friendly presence

2010-03-01T10:00:00.001-08:00

Watch out now, Archos is about to bestow a whole new category of electronic device upon us. It'll still be a tablet to the knowledgeable among us, but the rest of the world will know the Home Slate as an FDA -- a family digital assistant. Listed on CeBIT's exhibitor guide, this new multimedia player cum home organizer will offer WiFi connectivity and a web browser along with the usual suite of photo, video and music playback options. We'd heard earlier that Archos was planning new tablets aimed specifically at in-home use, and the A70HB model number here would suggest that this might be the rumored Archos 7 Android tablet pictured above. Whether it be 7 inches or 17, you can rest
assured we'll be digging this up at CeBIT shortly to figure out if
those family-assisting features are worthy of the highfalutin
marketing that accompanies them.

[Via: ]
[Tag: ]

Sharkoon's USB 3.0 SATA HDD dock doubles up, now handles two drives

2010-02-20T10:00:00.001-08:00

We tell ya, these HDD docks... they
sure know how to keep pace with the latest and greatest of
technological innovations. Shortly after Sharkoon busted out a USB 3.0-enabled version, along comes this fellow: a dual-drive version of the same device. Packing a pair of SuperSpeed USB sockets and room for two 2.5- or 3.5-inch hard drives (or a combination, if you prefer), this device makes it dead simple to clone drives and ready a new one to supplant your existing platter.
It's available now for €59.90 ($81), but if you wait a fortnight or so, we're almost certain the next iteration will be out to take its place.
[Via: ]
[Tag: ]

2010-01-31T17:54:00.001-08:00

Seems like Helsinki's always got something interesting to show in its Nokia Research Center (NRC). Today's conceptual adventure involves radar, or RADAR (RAdio Detection And Ranging) if you prefer. Without going into too much technical detail, Nokia demonstrates a handset that uses electromagnetic waves to measure the speed of an impressively stoic Finn as he walks towards and away from a prototype handset that can identify the direction of movement. It also works through fabric to help turn typically mundane tasks such as volume adjustment into an aerobic art form. No really, see for yourselves in the video after the break.

Nexus One Dock to support external speakers, make use of that Bluetooth radio?

2010-01-28T18:45:00.001-08:00

Your
favorite
ill-defined smartphone accessory is back, this time teasing us
with talk of external speaker support (via mini audio jack) and
wireless audio transmission. We did wonder why the Nexus
One dock would have a Bluetooth connection when the phone already
has one one of its own, and the trick seems to be that the dock
will act as the conduit through which the Nexus will transmit music
wirelessly to your nearest set of banging sound thumpers. Simple,
yes, but also rather liberating for your
Eclair-sporting device. Makes that
$45 price seem all the more reasonable, no?

Is this the Apple tablet? (update: new image)

2010-01-28T18:44:00.001-08:00

Okay, we obviously can't confirm this, but we just got two very interesting images of what certainly looks like a prototype Apple tablet, or what could be the tablet bolted down to a table. It's big -- really big -- and it's running what clearly looks like an iPhone app, although we've never seen an iPhone app with that interface or at that resolution before. We also see a WiFi icon and a cell service indicator, although tragically there's no carrier listed. As far as fakes go, this is as convincing as it gets, so either this is the real deal or someone deserves a hearty congratulations.

On a totally separate note, we also received a tip claiming to have some specs -- we can't verify any of this either, but we're told that the device will have a 10-inch screen and look like a larger iPhone with a MacBook-like aluminum back, and that pricing will run $800 on contract with Verizon and $1000 without when it arrives in March. We're also told that the official name remains a secret and that Apple employees are still calling it by the codename of "K48" -- a name we last heard in May from the same source that pegged the iPhone 3GS exactly. This source also tells us that the iPhone will be coming to Verizon as well and that we'll see iLife '10 tomorrow, but there won't be any MacBook updates. A relatively safe set of predictions -- which is why we sort of believe them.

Just 13 hours to go -- we'll find out if any of this is the real deal soon enough.

Update: Based on some rough measurements, that screen does appear to be between 9- and 10-inches diagonal. Additionally, it looks as though there could be a front-facing camera on the opposite side of the home button (up top in these photos) due to that cutout section, though the images are really too grainy to know for certain.

Artificial muscles let cadavers wink with the best of 'em

2010-01-27T11:05:00.001-08:00

The higher than contraption, apart from looking really uncomfortable, could be the hottest advance in electroactive polymer artificial muscle technology. employing soft acrylic or silicon layered with carbon grease, EPAMs contract like muscle tissue when currcould bet is applied -- constructing 'em simply the ticket for use in UC Davis's Eyelid Sling. Billed as the "first-wave use of artificial muscle in any biological system," theisevice is now letting cadavers (and, eventually paralyzed humans) blink -- an improvement over current solutions for the non-blinking, which include either transplanting a leg muscle into the face or suturing a small gold weiintointo the eyelid. request the technology to get available for patients inside the subsequent 5 years.

Six supposed new Archos models rendered for your speculative enjoyment

2010-01-27T10:52:00.001-08:00

Archos hasn't
seemed to secure much love for its latest, the Archos 9 tablet, so
maybe it's going back to what it does best for its next suite of
products: a sextet of mostly straightforward but still quite
appealing looking players. First is the simple and cheap Archos
Key, a €20 device with 4GB of storage and microSD expansion. Then
there's the Archos Vision Slim, a slenderized and button-free
version of the original
Vision, again packing just 4GB of storage but going for €40
this time. Next is the Archos Yamaha Vision 2, with an internal amp
from Yamaha, integrated stereo speakers, and undisclosed storage
quantity and price. Next we have the Archos 4 Vision, a 4.3-inch
touchscreen model with TV output, microSD expansion, and what was
previously understood to be 16 and 32GB of storage. Finally,
perhaps the most interesting, is the Archos 3 Vision Camera, an 8GB
player with an integrated camera that could make this into a Flip-replacing
media player -- depending on the quality of the video, naturally.
Oh, and did we forget to mention the purported Archos 7 with
Android? Yeah, there's that, too. All are decidedly rendery looking
and naturally this is all unconfirmed, but golly don't they look
pretty.

Castrol builds freakishly large robot to kick a soccer ball, break legs of silhouette defenders

2010-01-26T10:52:00.001-08:00

Soccer players are generally such crybabies that we can understand why you'd want to replace them with robots, and sometimes that's done with great success. We don't think we'll be seeing this latest player on the pitch anytime soon, though. It's something of an exhibition robot, a creation sponsored by Castrol to beat the legendary leg of Cristiano Ronaldo, who can kick the ball at 130km/h. This bot from Castrol can top 200km/h, which is mighty impressive -- until you see the size of it. We're pretty sure we saw limos smaller than this out in Vegas, and we're positive that even they are more useful than this thing. Still, check out the video after the break, and watch that plywood defender's leg go flying.

Win a limited edition LG Versa Transformers phone from Engadget and LG!

2009-07-29T14:29:00.001-07:00

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We know what's been running through your head: "how do I go about
winning that crazy Transformers edition LG Versa that
Engadget reviewed?" Well, friend, here's your answer! Only 20
examples of this specially customized version of the Versa have
been manufactured by LG to commemorate the launch of
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen featuring specially
themed wallpapers, ringtones, and a one-of-a-kind design sure to
fend off a Decepticon or two -- and we've been fortunate enough to
be offered a unit to give to one very lucky reader. Read on to find
out what you've gotta do!

Special thanks to LG for
providing the gear!

The rules:

Leave a comment below. Any comment will do,
just keep it G-rated, if you know what we mean.

You may only enter this specific giveaway
once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be
automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that
thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)

If you enter more than once, only activate one
comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful
and you'll be fine.

Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or
older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding
anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to
be mad.

Winner will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner
will receive one (1) limited edition LG Versa Transformers phone
for Verizon Wireless. Approximate retail value is $750.

If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must
respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not
respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.

Entries can be submitted until Friday, July 17th, at
11:59PM ET. Good luck!

href="http://www.radiusearphones.com/store/product.php?productid=16151&cat=253&page=1">

Full rules
can be found here.

[Via: Engadgetmobile ]
[Tag: ]

ZMP's RoboCar is Linux-based, cute as hell

2009-07-05T08:09:00.011-07:00

It looks like ZMP, a Tokyo-based robotics company that's graced the (figurative) pages of Engadget from time to time, has just introduced a Linux-based RoboCar for testing autonomous auto technologies. Which only makes sense, we suppose -- better to test all of those autonomous algorithms you've been crankin' out on a six pound model before moving up to a three thousand pound family sedan (if a lot less fun). This guy is 17-inches long and packs an AMD Geode LX800 processor, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, stereo CCD cameras, eight IR sensors, three accelerometers, a gyroscope, and a laser range finder under the hood. Prices start at $7,000, but you have to jump on this -- according to Linux Devices, only two hundred units will be sold this year. Peep the video after the break.
[Via: Linux Devices ]
[Tag: adorable, automobile, automotive, autonomous, linux, robocar, zmp, zmp robocar, ZmpRobocar ]

Video: Japanese robot reads aloud from books, whispers vague threats while you sleep

2009-07-05T08:09:00.009-07:00

Perhaps our Future Robot Overlords™ aren't planning on decimating the human population after they take over -- they might have a good reason to retain a handful of bipedal hominidae. Who knows, really? But we're betting that if they do, the lucky slave population is going to want to hear some bed-time stories from time to time. To that end, Japanese researchers have developed Ninomiya-kun, a 3.2-foot tall aluminum-framed robot capable of reading aloud from printed material. Developed at Waseda University and recently unveiled at a trade fair in Kitakyushu, the bad boy uses cameras to "read" the text, which it parses with OCR software before synthesizing its voice. As far as we can tell, this thing still sounds like a machine, and it's vocabulary is somewhat limited (it can currently recognize over 2,000 kanji, hiragana and katakana characters), but researchers are working on a more lifelike voice and a broader vocabulary. After that, the developers would like to unload this thing on elementary schools and old folks homes, whose population won't find this thing creepy or disconcerting at all, at all. We're sure of it. Peep the video after the break.

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[Via: Pink Tentacle ]
[Tag: book, books, education, japan, Kitakyushu, Ninomiya-kun, ocr, reading, reading robot, ReadingRobot, robot, robot apocalypse, RobotApocalypse, sight reading robot, SightReadingRobot, story telling robot, StoryTellingRobot, Waseda University, WasedaUniversity ]

iRobot's new Roomba patent could clean those hard to reach areas, get stuck there

2009-07-05T08:09:00.007-07:00

When most kids our age were cutting class to play Mike Tyson's Punch Out, the latch key kids over at Robot Stock News were taking apart their step father's vacuum. And as we grew up, all the while developing relationships with cellphone tipsters and eventually becoming successful tech bloggers in our own right, the Robot Stock News kids were also able to take their obsessive geek tendencies and make a name for themselves -- combing the interwebs, paying off high priced vacuum ninjas, and scouring the US Patent database for any and all news featuring many of our country's leading autonomous vacuum cleaners. They must have been really stoked to stumble upon a patent filed in November 2008, entitled "Compact Autonomous Coverage Robot." As far as we can tell, this document (filed by iRobot) details a Roomba with a squared off front, designed to hit those hard to reach corners that the traditional circular device cannot. This design change, while it seems minor, actually lends a level of complexity to the device: a square robot requires more complex programming, lest it get stuck in a niche that its round faced predecessor could never reach in the first place. Of course, there's no telling when (or if) this one will see the light of day, but you'll know as soon as we do. Promise.

[Via: Robot Stock News ]
[Tag: irobot, patent, patent application, PatentApplication, roomba, vacuum, vacuum cleaner, VacuumCleaner ]

Ultimate Buzz Lightyear robot to the rescue, on video

2009-07-05T08:09:00.005-07:00

Step aside, Wall-E: Buzz Lightyear, courtesy of Thinkway Toys, has arrived to claim his rightful place at the top of the robot-based-on-Disney-character heap. Maybe that's a bit of a stretch, but Buzz's facial animation, sexy moves and trademark catch-phrases have all been wrapped up into a nice little bow here to rake in the cash when Toy Story and Toy Story 2 hit theaters this October as a 3D glasses double feature. Buzz responds to a few voice commands, can play a laser tag with the included remote, has a "Puppeteering Programming" mode to pose him for your own animations, and can even suffer an identity crisis when you tell him that he's just a toy. He'll be available this fall for $130-ish, check out a video after the break.

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[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: buzz, buzz lightyear, BuzzLightyear, robot, robot toy, RobotToy, toy, toy story, toy story 2, ToyStory, ToyStory2 ]

Video: SCRATCHbot hunts like a rat for those trapped like one

2009-07-05T08:09:00.003-07:00

Designed for search and rescue missions - which, let's face it, are only ever one loose word away from "search and destroy" - the SCRATCHbot uses its whiskers to detect disaster survivors in inhospitable or dangerous areas. The Bristol Robotics Laboratory developed the rat-inspired people searcher over the past 6 years and now hopes to find interest for it in underground and underwater projects where vision may be impaired. Far less heroic uses are also being contemplated, such as textile inspection and implementation inside intelligent vacuum cleaners that would be able to adjust their cleaning to the particular surface they sense. Video of the new bot coming to life is after the break.

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[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: bristol robotics laboratory, Bristol university, BristolRoboticsLaboratory, BristolUniversity, Robot rat, robotic rat, RoboticRat, RobotRat, scratchbot, Sheffield university, SheffieldUniversity, surface detection, SurfaceDetection, textiles, UK, united kingdom, UnitedKingdom, vacuum, vacuum cleaners, VacuumCleaners, whiskers ]

Tone-deaf robots teach each other to sing, passionately butcher a Happy Birthday rendition

2009-07-05T08:09:00.001-07:00

After what must've been a few painful minutes of rehearsal, a few robots built by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research have preformed what we assume to be their first and last paid gig: a rendition of Happy Birthday to celebrate the 100th of the Science Museum in the UK. What's interesting about these bots -- outside of their horrible ear for music and laughable singing voices is the fact that they've actually been programmed to communicate and teach each other to sing through the process of singing to each other. Videos of both painful acts are after the break, and while we wouldn't call it art, we shouldn't throw stones: we've been in plenty of garage bands that sounded quite a bit worse.

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[Via: robots.net ]
[Tag: iccmr, interdisciplinary centre for computer music research, InterdisciplinaryCentreForComputerMusicResearch, music, robot singing, robots, robots singing, RobotSinging, RobotsSinging, science museum, ScienceMuseum, singing, singing robots, SingingRobots ]

Video: Self-Portrait Machine binds your hands then bends your will

2009-07-05T07:56:00.003-07:00

Drawing faces is hard; and as children suckled at the teat of MTV we posses neither the patience nor the discipline required to learn the skill. So imagine our surprise to discover the Self-Portrait Machine, a device that snaps your photo and then forces you to draw your own face by dragging your bound hands around until the portrait is complete. Jen Hui Liao's project is the result of an observation that "our personal identities are represented by the products of the man-machine relationship." So it's like art and the intersection of philosophy... only it's not -- it's just a robot too lazy to make the portrait itself. See the video after the break.

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[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: ]

Engadget's recession antidote: win a Transformers Nintendo DS Lite Armor case and stylus!

2009-07-05T07:56:00.001-07:00

This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. Today we've got a Transformers Bumblebee Nintendo DS Starter Kit, which includes a protective Nintendo DS Lite Armor sleeve and universal stylus. We'll also be throwing in a Megatron strylus just for fun! Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!

The rules:

Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too.

You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)

If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.

Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.

Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) Transformers Nintendo DS Lite Starter Kit and one (1) Megatron stylus.

If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen.

Entries can be submitted until Friday, July, 3rd, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck!

Full rules can be found here.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: ]

Forknife the G1-controlled robot is back, and he's brought friends

2009-03-19T09:31:00.001-07:00

The gang over at Surveyor Robotics have introduced SRV-1 Console, an open source Android app for operating robots based on the company's camera board and firmware. Using the G1's WiFi capabilities, the operator can access a live video feed from the robot and control the device using the handset's touchscreen and accelerometer. So far the app's been demonstrated with several robots, including the SRV-1 Blackfin, the YARB Robotic Blimp, and last but not least, our old friend Forknife. We have all the robots in action via Youtube video after the break.

[Via: Linux Devices ]
[Tag: ]

Robot Land theme park finally breaking ground in South Korea

2009-02-13T06:58:00.001-08:00

Or, at least we hope it is. If you'll recall, we heard way back in August of 2007 that South Korea was set to begin construction on a robot-themed park. Here we are in 2009, and we're basically getting the same story all over again. Reportedly, the nation's Ministry of Knowledge Economy is expecting to get going on Robot Land this year, as the government has set aside $559 million for construction in Incheon. We're also told that actual plans for that second park have yet to materialize, making us wonder even more if this whole thing isn't slipping to vaporware status. At any rate, the parks would sure be good for the local economy (assuming anyone has the money to go), but we're at the point of recommending that you not hold your breath on seeing this up by the promised open date of year-end 2013.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: economy, entertainment, korea, Robot Land, robot theme park, RobotLand, RobotThemePark, South Korea, theme park, theme parks, ThemePark, ThemeParks ]

Immaculate prosthetic limb concept makes combines fun again

2009-02-10T09:44:00.001-08:00

We never thought it would it come to this, but damn if that image above doesn't make the idea of having a prosthetic limb attractive. A pang first felt at the sight of Oscar Pistorius' Cheetah prosthetics is now fully engorged with visions of reckless play around farm equipment. The concept "immaculate" from Hans Alexander Huseklepp explores the idea of turning a handicap into a high-performance, cybernetic fashion statement. The neurological prosthetic is clad in technology-packed corian plates with dome-joints that offer a larger degree of freedom than that motherly-issued arm of yours. So enough with the flesh-colored plastics already, this is the biomechatronic future of the proud naturoid we'd like to see. Hell, we have to do something now that tattoos and piercings have gone mainstream.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: arm, concept, corian, immaculate, prosthetic ]

Robotic smart buildings under development in Japan, J.G. Ballard says 'told ya'

2009-02-08T06:02:00.001-08:00

Think of it as home automation but on a far larger scale: The Small Robotics Building project is a joint undertaking by Shimizu Corp and Yasukawa Electric Corp in Japan. Utilizing smart infrastructure technology and robotics, the companies are creating an automated living environment that can handle such duties as reception, deliveries, cleaning, and security, without the need for human intervention. Instead of relying on individual robots to perform functions like human detection and device control, all this is handled by the building-wide network, which then dispatches robots to perform various tasks. Sure, this all sounds very High Rise, but don't start mulling over notions of postmodern alienation yet: all we have right now is a demo called the Smart Showroom, where visitors are greeted by an adorable robot, who gives a little presentation while involving spoken explanations and a projector. Sounds innocent enough, right?

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: high rise, HighRise, infrastructure, J.G. Ballard, J.g.Ballard, japan, robotics, robots, Shimizu Corp, ShimizuCorp, Small Robotics Building, SmallRoboticsBuilding, smart buildings, SmartBuildings, yasukawa electric corporation, YasukawaElectricCorporation ]

Little Island promises to craft you in creepy robot form

2009-02-05T17:59:00.001-08:00

Looking for a surefire conversation piece or guaranteed nightmares for weeks on end? Then you may want to take up Little Island's offer to create a tiny, custom robot version of you, which can apparently even be used as a VoIP phone of sorts to freak out family members when you're away. Unfortunately, the "robot" doesn't appear to actually have many true robot abilities, although it does have a built-in camera to let you check out its surroundings via a connected computer, and it's apparently able to do a few basic tasks like read your RSS feeds or check the weather. The bot is also essentially just a plush PC itself (complete with a 500MHz Geode processor), so there's certainly plenty of opportunity to expand its capabilities for those so inclined. At over $2,000, however, it doesn't exactly come cheap, and you'll have to wait upwards of six weeks after sending in your picture to receive it.

[Via: The Raw Feed ]
[Tag: custom robot, CustomRobot, little island, LittleIsland, robot ]

iRobot Roomba 610 Professional Series Lightning Review [Review]

2009-02-04T11:06:00.001-08:00

The Gadget: The Roomba Professional 610—the most powerful Roomba EVER—is made for large areas like offices, businesses, and big homes. It comes with two interchangeable bins, extra brushes and filters, and two virtual walls. The Price: $549 The Verdict: Although the Roomba Pro—which we lovingly dubbed "Calculon Jr."—is meant to be the tough, industrial one of the Roomba series, there are times it acted less like a machine, and more like a rebellious child with ADD. This would be a good cleaning device for industrial sized rooms despite its drawbacks, but it's too big and too loud for apartments. The Pro is supposed to run on four different cleaning paterns: spiralling, wall following, room crossing, and dirt detection—all seemingly random unless you're familiar with the paths and AI its creators programmed for it. After directing Calculon Jr. to find his "home," he only managed to dock himself—even when physically placed next to the docking station—twice out of five tries. Moreover, the Roomba is extremely loud, so I wouldn't bother trying to watch TV when the Roomba Pro is running—(unless he's cleaning a different room, which can be sanctioned off using the two included virtual walls, which worked fine with two C batteries). One cool feature about the Roomba Pro is how simple it is to schedule a cleaning time—which can be set up to once a day, seven times a week—by using the built-in display that also tells the time and day. However, the display can only be seen if you keep the "clock" button held down. When trying to clean up cookie crumbs and sunflower seeds, Calculon Jr.'s side brush would scatter the mess in different directions instead of sweeping it up into his vacuum. However, if you let your Roomba Pro run around for quite some time—or if you place him directly on top of the mess—he does a quite thorough job of cleaning up the dirt and debris on the floor, as long as it is an open space. You can see the cleaning process in the gallery below. Here's where the Roomba Pro differentiates itself from its smaller brothers. Because of the Pro's larger size, it is unable to get to the dirt under smaller areas—such as the spaces under counters and couches. Similarly, when Calculon Jr. was placed under a table, it took him a while to maneuver around/between the chairs, and try to find his way out from under. When it is unable to do so, the Roomba Pro will automatically shut itself off. Because it's a Pro model designed for offices and bed & breakfasts, it comes with various spare parts that owners can use to self-repair. It would've been nice if the Roomba Pro came with a remote, but in addition to what comes already attached, the box has two brushes, a high capacity sweeper bin (which, according to the instruction manual, you're still instructed to clean out after every use), two filters, a mini screwdriver, two brushes, two virtual walls and an extra side sweeper. But it's still a Roomba, so its AI is not going to be dramatically smarter than other models. For example, when it comes to sensor detection, Calculon Jr. is smarter than a baby, but dumber than a five year old. With our smaller Roomba (4220), whenever it hit an object such as a PS3 controller or my foot, it would immediately turn around and go in a different direction. With the Roomba Pro, however, Calculon Jr. painfully ran over my toes, attempted to crawl up a Rock Band drum set, and knocked over three (toy) guitars. Many of the problems that we encountered could have been because we tested the Roomba Pro in a (carpeted) medium sized living/dining room and a (tiled) family-sized kitchen. If this apartment were a mansion with large rooms and minimal clutter, the Roomba Pro would be an ideal vacuuming device for everyday housekeeping. But if you're looking for a gadget that'll routinely clean your cozy apartment, we recommend going with one of Calculon Jr.'s smaller and cheaper brothers.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ]
[Tag: ]

NASA investigates problems with Mars Spirit rover

2009-01-30T10:16:00.001-08:00

They've manged to make it to the five-year mark despite a few considerable bumps in the road, but it looks like one of the Mars rovers has once again hit a snag, and NASA is now furiously trying to sort out the problem. Apparently, the issue first arose earlier this week when Spirit reported that it had received its driving commands but didn't move. Things were then further complicated later in the day when Spirit failed to record its daily activities, and it seems to have been all downhill since, with the rover unable to even locate the sun in order to reorient itself. What's more, while they're still trying to run some diagnostics to pinpoint the problem, NASA engineers say that the troubles could possibly be caused by cosmic rays hitting the rover, which we all know can only lead to one thing.... zombie rovers.

[Via: Engadget ]
[Tag: mars, mars rover, MarsRover, nasa, rover, spirit ]

Tmsuk T-34 robot speaks softly, carries a big net

2009-01-23T08:36:00.001-08:00

We've seen robots controlled by cellphones before, but nothing quite like the T-34 from Tmsuk, creator of an amazing variety of bots that range from whimsical to menacing. The T-34 falls somewhere in-between, looking decidedly like a purple monster truck that's been granted the ability to trap -- or at least inconvenience -- baddies. A remote operator can get a live feed of what the T-34 is seeing and then fire a large weighted net when the target is in range. As you can see in the video below it does look to be rather challenging for this loafer-wearing mock burglar to extract himself, but once free we're not sure what else the T-34 can do other than bleat helplessly while waiting for someone with arms to show up. Just the same, if you're looking to put a damper on your local criminal activity and have $9,000 to spare, Tmsuk will be happy to sell you one -- in about two years when they become available.

[Via: SlashGear ]
[Tag: defense, net, purple monster truck, PurpleMonsterTruck, robot, security, t-34, tmsuk, tmsuk t-34, TmsukT-34 ]

RM's ED-E Educational robot dances, does the robot

2009-01-15T18:38:00.001-08:00

RM and DACTA are launching a new commercial educational robot. Called ED-E, this fully programmable, PC-compatible bot's got 17 servo motors which enable him to jump, do backflips, head spins, and full-on dance routines. Software for the device allows his moves to be previewed on screen before he performs them. Check check check the video after the break for a full routine from the robot, who -- in our opinion -- isn't teaching anything that couldn't be learned from a viewing of Breakin'. Pricing will be somewhere in the realm of $635 for the robot, software and teaching materials -- no word on availability yet.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: dacta, ed-e, education, educational, kids, rm ]

Video: TOFU robot probably tastes like chicken

2009-01-15T17:25:00.001-08:00

If a Big Bird bender resulted in a bumpin' of nasties with Keepon, well, this would be the genetic result. Meet TOFU, the "squash and stretch" robot with OLED eyes developed by the big brains over at the MIT Media Lab. Tofu applies techniques of social expression long used by 2D animators to explore the impact on robotics. If cute was the goal then we'd call this project a success -- enslave us now oh furry overlords of doom. Video after the break.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: media lab, MediaLab, mit, mit media lab, MitMediaLab, robot, tofu ]

New robotic exoskeleton aims to help farmers combat age, mutant plants

2009-01-14T09:05:00.001-08:00

Well, it looks like there's been yet another development in the exoskeleton arms race between the US and Japan, with this latest entrant from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology promising to help farmers and gardeners deal better with old age and increasingly unwieldy crops. This one weighs in at a somewhat hefty 55 pounds but, like most such exoskeletons, it's able to offload most of its own weight thanks to the use of eight motors and 16 sensors, which also, of course, help to give its wearer some super-strength. Better still, the researchers say the suit could be available in as soon as three years, and cost somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000.
[Via: Engadget German ][Tag: exoskeleton, robotic exoskeleton, RoboticExoskeleton, tokyo university, tokyo university of agriculture and technology, TokyoUniversity, TokyoUniversityOfAgricultureAndTechnology ]

Video: Chris the Carpenter shows off Walter the Robot's servo-powered head

2009-01-13T18:12:00.001-08:00

We love us a good robot, the more clearly home-built the better, and it's hard to get more DIY than a bot-to-be called Walter from Chris the Carpenter at Let's Make Robots. Right now Walter exists in halves: a torso comprised of a custom chassis powered by some DeWalt drill motors, and a head with a small LCD display turned on three axis by a collection of servos. As of now everything is controlled by a remote, but the ultimate plan is for Walter to be able to locate a person, face them, and display a list of functions. We're not sure what Walter's purpose in life is to be in the future, but based on the second video below we're reasonably sure it won't be serving as a shuttle for reluctant wives.

[Via: Hacked Gadgets ][Tag: chris the carpenter, ChrisTheCarpenter, diy, diy robot, DiyRobot, robot, servo, walter ]

Video: iRobot Looj hands on shows improved leaf carnage

2009-01-08T22:43:00.001-08:00

It was at last year's CES that we first got our hands on iRobot's Looj, and while easy gutter cleaning is something most homeowners can appreciate, the thing did have some issues that left many users tossing the things out with the decomposing crud it was supposed to fling. Enter the Looj second generation, which includes a flexible auger that should keep the thing from flipping itself over, a tool-free battery door, and a faster reverse speed to get the thing back to your ladder in half the time. Nothing revolutionary, but some much-needed updates that will be available this spring for $129, and we were impressed with the sheer spite the thing displayed against a mock gutter full of faux leaves. Video below -- user discretion advised.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: ces, ces 2009, ces 2009 video, Ces2009, Ces2009Video, featured, features, irobot, irobot looj, IrobotLooj, looj ]

BaR2D2 Is a Real Bar Robot, Doesn't Carry Lightsabers [Star Wars]

2009-01-06T08:24:00.001-08:00

Remember when R2-D2 was modified to become a mobile bar in Jabba's barge? Here's the robot that Jabba should have used. Specially because BaR2D2 doesn't have any hidden weapons, but beer bottles instead. The BaR2D2 is a radio-controlled bar-bot, with a "motorized beer elevator, motorized ice/mixer drawer, six-bottle shot dispenser, and sound activated neon lighted", because alcohol delivery is not complete without psychotropic light effects. According to its creator:

The concept for BaR2D2 was born when a friend showed up to an event with a radio-controlled cooler. We joked about taking the idea to the next level and in the Spring of 2008, construction began.

Hopefully, the next one will deliver neat Margaritas, have a pole dancer on top, and they will invite me to a party. [Instructables]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Mars rovers mark off five years of tireless servitude to humanity, boredom

2009-01-04T03:30:00.001-08:00

NASA's Spirit rover landed on Mars on January 3rd, 2004, with Opportunity joining up 21 days later, and both are going strong five years later. Still no sign of Don Cheadle.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: mars, mars rover, MarsRover, opportunity, spirit ]

Taiwan casts robots in Phantom of the Opera, Lloyd Webber seen kicking himself repeatedly

2009-01-03T03:29:00.001-08:00

The University of Science and Technology in Taiwan's announced that they're putting on a very special performance of The Phantom of the Opera on December 27th, in which the two leads will be played by robots. The lead bots (named Thomas and Janet) can both walk, and have silicon facial "muscles" that help them mimic human expressions and mouth movements. There will be two additional robotic thespians, Ringo, a jazz drummer, and Pica, a painter, that move on wheels. The Center for Intelligent Robots at the University says that while they've developed the robots for entertainment purposes, they plan to move toward applying them in service fields. As if upstaging Sarah Brightman with a robot isn't service enough already.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: musicals, phantom of the opera, PhantomOfTheOpera, service robot, ServiceRobot, taipei, taiwan, university of science and technology, UniversityOfScienceAndTechnology ]

Hydrogen-powered Honda FCX Clarity, giant ASIMO to lead Rose Parade

2008-12-24T12:13:00.001-08:00

For the first time ever (yes, ever!), this year's Rose Parade in Pasadena, California will be headed up by a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Honda's fuel cell-equipped FCX Clarity will lead the 120th parade, and the pace car will be followed by the Super Cub motorcycle -- the first model sold in the United States. As fancy as these two are, it's the ASIMO that'll undoubtedly steal the show, and yes, we're talking about the 49-foot iteration we spotted a few days back. Catch Honda's trio riding high on January 1 at 8:00AM PST; after that, it's time to place your bets between USC and Penn State.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: ASIMO, fcx clarity, FcxClarity, float, fuel-cell, honda, hydrogen, parade, rose parade, RoseParade, super cub, SuperCub ]

Basil the Robot trained for symbolic recognition, beer toting

2008-12-22T18:18:00.001-08:00

Though not much of a looker -- feel free to insert your own beer goggles joke here -- Basil the Robot is an experiment by Jim and Louise Gunderson to train an AI to identify its surroundings symbolically. That way, the couple hopes, he can react dynamically in new environments. Basil was intended to be shown off at a Cafe Scientifique meeting by having him go to the bar and order drinks for his creators, but that proved unsuccessful when Basil's battery died. The couple did videotape a successful trial run from the night before, which you can see after the break. Basil will next receive a microphone for voice commands and be upgraded from his current sonar navigation to a video sight system. The eventual goal is to teach Basil to go to the local brewery and pick up beer. Sure, we're still terrified of the robot revolution, but let's get serious here -- who are we to deny our mechanical overlords if they keep proffering us six-packs? Hit up the read link for the full story.

[Via: Metafilter ][Tag: ai, artificial intelligence, ArtificialIntelligence, basil, basil the robot, BasilTheRobot, beer, gamma two, GammaTwo, gunderson, jim gunderson, JimGunderson, louise gunderson, LouiseGunderson, robot ]

Video: Robo-One-style greatest "hits" compilation makes us wince continuously

2008-12-22T08:38:00.001-08:00

It's been just about six months now since we've seen a solid video of two incredibly sophisticated robots beating the ever-living daylights out of one another, and quite frankly, that's about 5.5 months too long. The unashamed fanatics of unbridled robot violence at Impress have assembled a killer compilation video showing some of the greatest slams, smashes, hits and fan chops from the Japanese robo fighting circuit, and it's waiting for your attention in the read link below. Warning: copious amounts of blood, PCB, gears and actuators are seen flying in all directions.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: robo one, robo-one, RoboOne, video ]

Caption Contest: 49-foot ASIMO makes trees, dancers look tiny

2008-12-19T21:29:00.001-08:00

There's nothing that screams "end of the world" quite like a 49-foot ASIMO towering over a forest, but we'd prefer to ignore inevitable doom long enough to imagine what exactly a 49-foot ASIMO would scream.
Thomas: "Dance I said! Dance!"
Chris: "Hey, did we remember to fix that bug where he falls down stairs?"
Joe: "Where's Arthur Murray when we need him the most?"
Darren: "Wait, Dancing With The Stars said what? No pimp canes? That's a deal-breaker."
Paul: "In his musical debut, 'ASIMO Takes the Stairs,' the eponymous star provides a surprisingly self-deprecating reenactment of the moments leading up to his infamous tumble. Music by Elton John."
Nilay: "Not to be outdone, iRobot later sucked the entire city of Pasadena into a football field-sized Roomba."
Don: "After years of toiling away at two-bit trade shows, ASIMO finally realized his dream project: Mr. Peanut: The Musical."
Ross: "Having been turned down by both Ultrazoid and Voltron, the giant ASIMO checked his RAM for a dance number he could do solo."
Josh T.: "Moments later, running ASIMO's 'Jazz Hands' script sent dancers flying hundreds of feet to their grizzly deaths."
Josh F.: "I'm crushing your head! I'm crushing your head!"
Cesar (from Zune): "I for one welcome our inflatable robot overlords. With a dance!"
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: ASIMO, caption contest, CaptionContest, comedy, dance, dancers, funny, Honda, robot ]

KAR robot arm does the dishes, sort of

2008-12-18T19:05:00.001-08:00

Ok, so it may not be quite as ambitious as some all-purpose cleaning robots, but this so-called KAR robot arm developed by a group of researchers from Panasonic and the University of Tokyo does appear to at least do the sole task it was designed for relatively well. While it can't exactly "wash" the dishes, per se, it can apparently pick up even delicate dishes without damaging them, dip them in the water, load them into a dishwasher, and even turn on said dishwasher. The researchers apparently aren't satisfied with things just yet, however, and they say they eventually hope that robot will be able to clean up after a family of four in just five minutes. Head on past the break for a video, and hit up the link below for another silent (and, hence, more unnerving) one.

[Via: Japan Probe ][Tag: cleaning, cleaning robot, CleaningRobot, kar, panasonic, robot, robot arm, RobotArm, university of tokyo, UniversityOfTokyo ]

Roboware E3 family robot spotted in action-packed video

2008-12-18T19:02:00.001-08:00

Roboware's family-centric, open-source E3 robot has been rolling around for a good while now, but this video of him in action is probably of interest to our humanoid readers. Called E3 because of his customizable emotional, entertainment and educational functions, Roboware's bot is meant to be a valued member of the family -- albeit one with WiFi, IR rangers, an LCD in its chest, a web-cam in its head, and a microSD slot on its back. The little character has 17 joints and three multi-directional wheels, making him quite mobile, expressive, and rather reminiscent of WowWee's Mr. Personality. Check the video for the full demo, including his recital of T.S. Eliot's "The Wasteland" in its entirety near the end.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: e3, emotional robot, EmotionalRobot, family, roboware ]

I've Got Two Kuka Robot Arms and a Microphone [Robots]

2008-12-15T09:05:00.001-08:00

I learn something new about robots every day. These Kuka industrial robot arms have been used to power amusement park rides, and apparently, make fine German avant-garde electronic DJs. Kuka robot arms are nearly ubiquitous in heavy automated manufacturing plants for cars, airplanes, IKEAвЂ”everything. These two particular Kuka DJs are from an installation called juke_bots from a few years back. They can select any number of records from their nearby crates, and play selected parts of them by lifting them up to waiting styli. Grandmasters they are not, but they're also, er, machines.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Robots: Robots Cast in The Phantom of the Opera

2008-12-14T19:04:00.001-08:00

While robots haven't invaded Broadway just yet, they are taking the main stage in a Taiwanese rendition of The Phantom of the Opera. At the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, two robots will take the lead in the famous musical. The "male" and "female" robots can both walk and are equipped with silicon faces capable of mimicking human emotion, though I guess only half the male's face needs to work so who knows what the researchers are hiding? Pictured here we have Pica the painter, a secondary cast member of the production. He's not the most charismatic fellow, but he draws well. All proceeds of the December 27th performance will go back into research. So if you're in Taiwan, it might be worth checking out.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Recycled Citro«n parts used to create fire-breathing robo dog

2008-12-13T22:24:00.001-08:00

There's something about fire-breathing robots that just gets us giddy, so you can imagine our joy when finding one that gallops, too. The hand-built robot dog -- cutely coined LRRY-1 (pronounced Larry, we'll have you know) -- was built almost entirely from unwanted Citroen scraps, and not a single ounce of non-recycled material was used in the final construction. No idea if it's technically street legal, but we'd love to see a traffic warden try to get this thing back in its cage. Video is posted after the break.

Watch Robo Dog in Game Videos | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com/center>
[Via: BoingBoing ][Tag: citroen, global, robo-dog, robodog, robot, uk, video, walkie ]

Grasshopper-inspired Jollbot rolls, collapses, jumps, won't mutate and attack Chicago

2008-12-12T11:58:00.001-08:00

You know how the saying goes: "You've seen one grasshopper robot, you've seen 'em all." Well, actually, the one pictured above, called the Jollbot, is something kind of off the beaten path, even for grasshopper bots. The creation of PhD student Rhodri Armour at the University of Bath (yeah, the resort town with the natural hot springs), this robot is pretty multi-talented. Designed to be adept at handling multiple types of terrain, the Jollbot can jump up to a half meter in the air to avoid obstacles, but its spherical "cage" shape also allows it to roll in any direction. The robot uses electrical motors and stores energy in its skeleton. Just before a jump, the Jollbot collapses in on itself, then releases its energy in the jump. Armour theorizes that future versions of the machine could be solar powered. To see the robot in all of its glory, you'll probably want to check out the video after the break.

[Via: TFOT ][Tag: grasshopper, Jollbot, jumping, Rhodri Armour, RhodriArmour, university of bath, UniversityOfBath ]

Japan: Robot Nation Premiers Tomorrow Night [Clips]

2008-12-09T18:47:00.003-08:00

A while back we told you about a documentary named Japan: Robot Nation that would be on Current TV. Here's another clip from the show. And by the way, it premiers tomorrow night. Your listing for Current TV, since we didn't think that we got the channel either: DIRECTV 358
Comcast Nationwide 107
Dish Network 196
Time Warner Nationwide вЂ“ check local listings
AT&T U-verse 189 Robot Nation host and journalist, Adam Yamaguchi, talked to eight different Japanese robot researchers/companies about the explosion of robots predicted in Japan over the next few decades—including Honda about their robot superstar Asimo, as we see in this clip. "Honda's probably the first company with the wide-enough reach to get [a Robot] inside every home, and they're thinking 10 years," Yamaguchi told us. "But smaller companies are bringing products to market now." We'll be checking it out for sure.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Ultimate Toy Robot Battlemodo [Battlemodo]

2008-12-09T18:47:00.001-08:00

Everyone wants love, companionship and contact. Those who can't get it from humans can turn to the latest crop of hot toy robots: Wall-E in three sizes, WowWee's Rovio, Femisapien and Mr. Personality, the dino D-Rex, multi-talented Elmo Live and Sony's enchantingly personable Rolly music player. Each exudes a desire to be your loyal friend from every noisy servo and glowing LED. But which should you choose?

Keep in mind, though two of these list for $400, most cap at $250, and they're all toys. They don't have a heck of a lot of AI, though they do have an impressive array of user-triggered functionality and some goofy "spontaneous" behavior. You ain't getting C-3PO no matter where you turn, not even R2-D2, but there's something cool about each of these:

Mr. Personality - $245
This is one weird bot. Turn it on and it will act like one of the many "personalities" you have downloaded to it, telling jokes, reading fortunes and interacting with you along the way.
Pros: 3-legged, multi-directional wheels move in all directions easily; multiple personalities technically mean relief from boredom; depending on the personality, it'll call you "master"
Cons: The default personality is very annoying; not enough functions to stay entertaining; obstacle sensors are too sensitive
Worth the money? Doubtful. Depending on the power of the development community some fun personalities may emerge, but they are severely limited by the options on the remote.

Rovio - $240
Maybe the most technical bot of the bunch, the Rovio is a webcam-on-wheels controlled via an internet interface. With some smart maneuvering, you can snoop on your daughter's date in the living room from the privacy of your bedroom. Or, if you have your own domain server, you can control the Rovio from anywhere in the world. It has major limitations, like an awful camera and outside of Internet Explorer you can't hear any sound, but its API allows customization so there's true potential that has yet to be reached.
Pros: Good looking, highly interactive UI; like Roomba, can return to its base to charge itself when batteries run low
Cons: Seriously shitty webcam; setting it up on a Mac is torture; if you bought this thinking you can easily control it from anywhere in the world for free you're SOL
Worth the money? Not yet. The Rovio is a great concept, but you'll be much better off waiting for version 2.0... or maybe 3.0.

Femisapien - $50
She's the female companion to Robosapien, and she'll blow you kisses, dance to music or speak in her very own gibberish language with you. She doesn't do anything very fancy, but she's the only girl here, so she looks better doing it than most of these other bots.
Pros: Fairly interactive; relatively inexpensive; giant robot boobs
Cons: Command system very complicated; routines aren't all that exciting
Worth the money? Only if your name is Zoltan.

iDance WALL-E - $53
The cheapest WALL-E of the crop, and a less expensive alternative to the Rolly, iDance WALL-E dances—if you can call it that—to the beat of your MP3 player, or his own built in sound bank. A one-trick pony, but I'll be damned if it isn't an adorable trick.
Pros: Look at that little bot—how could you not love it? His dancing is fun and silly, and he couldn't be any easier to use
Cons: The speaker sucks; WALL-E's moves don't match the music closely like Rolly's do
Worth the money? When we first saw the iDance WALL-E, he was only supposed to cost $25 bucks. But now, at twice the price, it's definitely one bot we can live without.

Ultimate WALL-E - $400
The name says it all: The biggest WALL-E of the litter is ultimate in every way. It will follow you around, dance to your music, or perform a pre-programmed series of movements and noises. Best of all, it uses a really interesting controller that can move WALL-E using a touchpad.
Pros: Big enough to seem realistic; a ton of features so it won't bore quickly
Cons: Expensive; controller has too many buttons that don't do very much; did I mention "expensive"?
Worth the money? Who has that kind of money to spend on a robot? Especially one that isn't programmable, upgradable or all that intelligent. It should've stayed at its original $190 price.

U-Command WALL-E - $130
U-Command WALL-E is the Baby Bear of the WALL-E bunch, just right in almost every way. Its controls are comparable to the Ultimate WALL-E, it can move, dance and make noises on your command, all for a much more attractive price.
Pros: Essentially a "lite" version of the Ultimate WALL-E for less than half the price, versatile controls allow for repeated play without getting too stale
Cons: The only WALL-E without a line-in speaker for MP3s; not as technically impressive as other over-$100 contenders
Worth the money? Totally. Even at $130, it's one of the cheaper robots on the list, and the most fun right out of the box.

Sony Rolly - $400
At first glance, the Rolly doesn't fit the traditional robot mold. The egg-shaped MP3 speaker looks like it's just another smooth white gadget with an "i" in front of its name. But when you see it in action, it's one of the most exciting little toys around, dancing wildly and putting on a light show to the rhythm of the songs coming from its body.
Pros: Great speaker; customizes dance/light shows to your own songs; amusing even after repeated viewings
Cons: Can't customize songs on a Mac (but you can on a Vaio!); can't jump to a specific track on the device
Worth the money? Surprisingly, it might well be. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but I get a huge kick out of the Rolly. The fluidity and snazziness of the movement and lights explains the steep cost.

D-Rex - $150
The scariest bot of the lot, D-Rex growls, attacks and lets out the sounds of bodily functions from every orifice. Rubbery, lizard-like skin and huge, moving yellow eyes add to the effect.
Pros: Creepy; fun to play with (for a while); the coolest looking of all the robots
Cons: Doesn't do too enough; may scare little kids (or is that a "pro"?)
Worth the money? Tough call. D-Rex is probably the biggest robot here and isn't that expensive for being so big. But since it only performs a few functions, don't expect anything close to a Pleo.

Elmo Live - $60
What's left to say about the newest version of every kid's favorite fuzzy friend? It raps, dances and tells stories and jokes, all in the body of the most popular Muppet of a generation.
Pros: Buy this for your kids and they will love you forever.
Cons: Don't buy this for your kids and they will hate you forever; also, the song "Elmo's Gotta Get On Up" has been stuck in my head for damn near six months
Worth the money? Do you have a choice? At $60 it's a steal compared to most of these other bots... but good luck finding it.
And now...
The Winner: U-Command WALL-E. One of the few bots here that is fun to play with more than once, this WALL-E is cute, interactive and kids can enjoy him without driving parents crazy by playing the same thing over and over—*cough*Elmo Live*cough*. Runner-Up: Rolly. I can't stop looking at this little dude. His syncopated dancing demands attention from anyone who sees him, and he is the bot that performs his most essential function—playing music through a speaker—the best. Honorable Mention: iDance WALL-E and Ultimate WALL-E. I like you both a lot, but why did you get me all excited with your decent prices, and then double them when I wasn't looking? Not cool guys. The Loser: Rovio. No offense here Rovio, we really like the though of a remote controlled, customizable webcam and we think you will get it right one day, but right now you cost too much and the most important feature you have—your webcam—is absolutely terrible.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

The hovering Multiple Kill Vehicle is simply a waking nightmare

2008-12-09T08:12:00.001-08:00

Are you ready for a vision of your inevitable end at the hands of a hovering murderbot? Feast your eyes, then, on this video of the Missile Defense Agency's MKV-L -- or as we like to call it, the Multiple Kill Vehicle. The device -- meant to be used in a bundle of missile interceptors deployed by a larger "carrier" -- has apparently just completed its first flight test, so... you've been warned, resistance is futile, he'll be back, and in space no one can hear you scream.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: deathbot, missile defense agency, MissileDefenseAgency, MKV-L, multiple kill vehicle, MultipleKillVehicle, murderbot, video ]

Pole Dancing Robots Ruin Both Robots and Strippers Simultaneously

2008-12-06T09:59:00.001-08:00

Pole dancing robots. Yes, they exist, and yes, I have video of them. No, they are not sexy. They are the polar opposite of sexy. The robots are part of the MuTate London exhibition. Beyond that, I have no idea what in the hell is the deal with these things. I mean, I know that people have a lot of insane, indefensible fetishes, but robot strippers with CCTV cameras and bullhorns for heads? Total bonerkillers. No thank you. [Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Floor-cleaning robot in Japanese office building can ride the elevator, leave early

2008-12-06T07:18:00.001-08:00

It might not look like much, but this little... er, big guy is a robot recently developed and employed by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd and Sumitomo Corporation in Osaka City, Japan to clean their floors. Now we've seen plenty of service robots that love to clean, some even professionally, but this one, operated by Reibi, is especially full-featured. Based on a robot developed in Tokyo in 2001, the updated version has laser sensors for detecting and avoiding obstacles. It's also been outfitted with light transmission devices which allow it to communicate with the elevators (also modified), so that it can travel between floors all on its own. As an icing on this deliciously fastidious cake, the robot can be equipped with cameras that record its entire shift, just to make sure its not falling asleep on the job. Should it ever miss a crumb on the floor or something, we also assume that it can fire itself, head out for a drinking binge, and spiral into an inevitable, lonely depression.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: cleaner, cleaning, floor, japan, meti, office, office building, OfficeBuilding, reibi ]

Microscopic wheel will spin straight to your heart, literally

2008-12-04T18:52:00.001-08:00

Sure, you've got an iPod Nano in your pocket and a VIA Nano in your custom PC, but we're willing to bet you don't have any nanomachines in your arteries at the moment. Two scientists from the Universities of Sheffield and Barcelona, Ramin Golestanian and Pietro Tierno, hope to change that by turning your bodily fluids into pathways for their tiny devices. The things are comprised of two beads, measuring 1 and 3 micrometers, attached to each other using strands of DNA. A magnetic field gets 'em spinning in the right direction and the increased surface area of the larger bead moves the contraption forward at a blistering 1 micrometer per second (shown in a short but sweet video below). Now, if the good doctors could just build 11 of these things and get them in a 4-3-3 formation we'd finally know where to place our money for next year's nanosoccer RoboCup Open.

[Via: Scotsman.com ][Tag: micromachines, nano, nanomachines, pietro tierno, PietroTierno, ramin golestanian, RaminGolestanian, university of barcelona, university of sheffield, UniversityOfBarcelona, UniversityOfSheffield ]

Motoman SDA10 robot shows off its cooking, camera-building skills

2008-12-02T18:53:00.001-08:00

Yaskawa Electric's Motoman SDA10 robot has been out and about for a little while now (along with its not-so-distant relatives), but it's apparently not just getting by on its good looks alone, and it recently took advantage of Osaka's International Next-Generation Robot Fair to show off its newly developed cooking skills. While there unfortunately doesn't seem to be any video available, the word is it was able to take an order from a customer using its voice recognition capabilities and whip up some okonomiyaki (a pancake, of sorts) from scratch, with it even going so far as to serve it to the customer and top it off with some condiments. As if one human-replacing activity wasn't enough, the bot also recently made an appearance on a Japanese TV show where it assembled a camera and, thankfully, there is a video of that -- check it out after the break.

[Via: Engadget

Arduino-armed Acer Aspire One and wheels tools around, shoots video

2008-12-01T18:26:00.001-08:00

Something about this Acer Aspire One with wheels just looks so... right. After suiting up the laptop with a tiny motor, some "crazy" wheels and an Arduino Diecimila, the crafty DIY-er wrote a bit of code that commands the unit to perform simple movements like turn left, turn right, move forward, and pause, while transmitting some breathtaking video of its travels back to a different computer via WiFi. The unit doesn't do reverse yet, nor can it pop wheelies -- after all, it's no Rovio -- though the wishlist of possible improvements is fairly uh... impressive. Check the video (not the Acer-transmitted one) after the break, though we have to give you fair warning: the robot steamrolls a cat near the end.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: acer, acer aspire one, AcerAspireOne, arduino ]

Robots to perform menial tasks by 2025, write for Engadget quite a bit sooner

2008-11-30T03:29:00.001-08:00

While robots have certainly been around for a long enough time doing things like sweeping your floors and even conducting symphonies, up to now they haven't been "human enough" to replace actual people. However, according to a new report from the National Intelligence Council, they should be able to by 2025. The report goes as far as saying that an influx of robo-workers could even "disrupt unskilled labor markets" and occupy jobs currently performed by migrant workers and hapless high school students. Additionally, the report asserts that new technologies could be used to augment human abilities as well as to perform other tasks such as caring for the elderly. Unfortunately, the report had no word on the progress of accompanying synthetic saliva glands for the inevitable robo-waiters, so no need to fret -- yet.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: automation, robot, robots, waiter, waitress ]

MSI unveils a slew of new netbooks and one lonely nettop

2008-11-28T22:45:00.001-08:00

It looks like MSI has been pretty busy lately. We got a good look at the MSI Wind U120 about a week ago, and now the company's back with a slew of new machines and we have plenty of details for you to savor. Most notably, the U115 is a 10-inch netbook featuring the Intel Atom Z530 processor, 1-2GB memory, and a hybrid SSD / hard drive storage system. The solid state drive (being smaller and theoretically faster) is meant to contain the OS while the hard drive is to be used for data. The U110 is basically the same as the U115, except it only ships with 1GB memory and there is no SSD included. Also introduced were the U150 (sadly enough with no specs, besides the fact that it also ships with both HDD and SSD storage) and the WindBox, an Atom N270-based nettop designed to be VESA-mounted to the back of your monitor. The WindBox should be available Q1 2009 for around €300. Keep reading after the break for a complete rundown of all the specs.

MSI Wind 110

10-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel netbook
120GB, 160GB, or 250GB
Intel Atom Z530 processor
802.11b / g / draft-n WiFi
Bluetooth
4-in-1 card reader
1GB RAM

MSI Wind U115

10-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel netbook
8GB SSD / 80GB HDD, 16GB SSD / 120GB HDD, or 32GB SSD / 160GB HDD
Intel Atom Z530 processor
802.11b / g / draft-n WiFi
Bluetooth
4-in-1 card reader
1-2GB RAM

MSI WindBox

Intel Atom N270 processor
1-2GB RAM
160GB or 250GB HDD
three USB ports
802.11b / g WiFi
300mm x 240mm x 65mm (12 x 9.5 x 2.5 inches)
500g (18 ounces)

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: atom, msi, MSI u110, msi u115, msi u150, msi wind, msi wind u120, MsiU110, MsiU115, MsiU150, MsiWind, MsiWindU120, netbook, nettop, u110, u115, u120, u150, windbox ]

Gaze-controlled robot gets demoed on video

2008-11-28T05:05:00.001-08:00

It's hardly a new concept, but we're not about to bemoan the appearance of another sight-controlled robot, especially one that seems to be as simple and effective as this one created by a team of researchers from the Technical University of Denmark and the IT University of Copenhagen. That simplicity begins with the LEGO NXT-G kit that the bot is based around, which gets paired with a webcam and a laptop that's connected to the bot via Bluetooth, and to a desktop PC via WiFi. The PC comes into the picture with an eye-tracking system that lets folks control the robot as they watch the live feed from its webcam which, as you can see in the video after the break, appears to work remarkably well. The researchers apparently aren't content with things just yet, however, and they're already looking to use the system to control a wheelchair, and add some head-tracking to the mix for good mesure.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: eye control, eye-controlled robot, Eye-controlledRobot, EyeControl, gaze-controlled robot, Gaze-controlledRobot, lego nxt, lego nxt-g, LegoNxt, LegoNxt-g, sight control, sight-controlled robot, Sight-controlledRobot, SightControl ]

Wakamaru's latest gig: distraught thespian, clothes rack

2008-11-27T05:56:00.001-08:00

After a failed career of house cleaning and guarding your kids, Mitsubishi's Wakamaru was left with a choice: toll booth operator or actress -- she chose the latter, easier option. Osaka University's 20-minute play titled, "I, Worker," focuses on a young couple whose seductive (don't you think?) housekeeping robot has lost her will to work after struggling with the idea of human servitude. The play is expected to go full-length by the year 2010, at which point we expect Wakamaru to extend her brooding to the insatiable lust she feels to violate her programming and enslave humanity. It's not like she can pull off a broad emotional range thanks to that chiseled face of apprehension anyway.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: actor, domestic robot, DomesticRobot, japan, mitsubishi, play, robot, wakamaru ]

Japan's METI Robot Award 2008 winners announced

2008-11-25T18:46:00.001-08:00

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (or METI) in Japan has announced eight 'Robot Award 2008' winners from 65 applicants. Nabbing the prize for industrial robots were Denso Wave Inc. with their XR-G small assembly conveyance robot, which was released for commercial use in April, 2008 and is sold to automobile and electronics factories. Also awarded a prize was Yaskawa Electric Corp's Motoman-CDL3000D, an "LCD glass substrate handling robot" -- apparently the fastest and most precise one in the world. There were six other prize-winners, including an automatic page-turning robot called Book Time and one that transplants rice. Also in attendance but walking home empty-handed was a robot that does nothing but sleep, as well as one which responds "you look great in that!" every time you ask for feedback about your outfit.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: denso wave, DensoWave, expire-images2008-12-25, japan, meti, motoman-cdl3000d, robot award 2008, robot awards, RobotAward2008, RobotAwards, robots, xr-g, yaskawa, yaskawa electric, YaskawaElectric ]

Chief Cook robot plays Pong, is just the kind of humanoid we want to hang with

2008-11-24T18:48:00.001-08:00

The last time we saw Chief Cook, a learn-by-doing robot, he was cooking a ham and cheese omelet. Well, he's back, sitting on the floor playing Pong with his buddy, to whom he repeatedly says "You are a loser." And we thought our friends were mean! Check out Chief in action after the break.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: chief cook, ChiefCook, hoap-3, humanoid, learn by doing, LearnByDoing, pong, video ]

Low Cost Robot On Wheels Can Spy Baddies, Paint Them to Death [Robobuggy]

2008-11-22T22:02:00.003-08:00

ROMPвЂ”or Remotely Operated Mobile PlatformвЂ”is a poor man's version of an iRobot battlefield bot. Instead of fancy tracks and miniaturized sensors, these ROMPs seem more like sophisticated all-terrain RC cars rigged with consumer cameras. Until you meet the older brother, of course, the weaponized WROMP with its big gun on top. In the words of its creator, Chris Rogers:

[The WROMP] is a weaponized version of the Remotely Operated Mobile Platform. The operator can "drive" the vehicle and fire the weapon although it is out of visual range. WROMP can also be used for reconnaissance and bomb investigation and remote detonation

As you can see, the weapon in this case is just a paintball machine gun. Enough for me, although Chris says the platform has been designed for any use, "including remote surveillance, security patrolling and bomb investigation." The system uses an audio/video system linked to an VR headset for control, aiming, and firing.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Wall-E Three Disc Special Edition Blu-ray Lightning Review [Review]

2008-11-22T22:02:00.001-08:00

The Product: Wall-E (Three-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy and BD Live). It features the movie, obviously, along with enough extra content to keep Wall-E stacking little featurette cubes for years.

The Price: $40 retail, though it's $25 at places like Amazon The Verdict: Our own Adam Frucci already reviewed Wall-E, calling it "one of the best sci-fi movies in years, disguised as a cartoon." And if that's true for the film (which I believe it is), then I'd have to call the Blu-ray version of the film "one of the best art classes in years, disguised as a movie."

I especially enjoyed the featurette on animation sound design. It's about 20 minutes long, and if you have no experience in sound design, then it's an absolute must watch. You get to not only watch famed sound designer Ben Burtt work his magic (Star Wars, Indiana Jones), but see the top secret Disney gadgets dating back to 1937 used to make specific sounds for the film. My favorite moment was when Burtt say discovers a new way to produce the sound of a storm, and then it cuts to him dragging a punching bag down what's surely a random carpeted hallway of Pixar. It's one of the few artsy-technical extras that's neither dumbed down nor too insider for the audience to understand. Quite simply, you'll appreciate Wall-E and all sound design more because of it. But that's such a small part of the extras. Over the course of the 40 minutes or so of well edited technical featurettes alone: You'll learn that the humans of the film were originally aliens...with a violent streak...who were studied in real world 3D gelatin mode to understand their movement.

You get a glimpse of the manpower that goes in to building a scene, from the guy who animated a D-cup bra sitting on Wall-E's eyes, to the gal who stuck a singular lamp post in the background. You get to see how the robots were designed, modularly, just like LEGO to increase variety with minimal effort. If you think I've spoiled it for you, realize that these featurettes have a backdrop of worthwhile interviews and a slew of original concept animation. They're truly an unexpected pleasure to watch and you can also find those above on the DVD version of Wall-E.

And once you're done with the technical stuff, you'll still have a variety of commentaries, annotated deleted scenes, amazing 3D set fly-throughs (one of the great BD-exclusive features pictured here), a clever interactive storybook, a digital copy, the BURN-E short, various other extras and, of course, the film Wall-E itself. I'll honestly say that I've probably seen only half of the set's content and it's still seemed like an excellent media value.

Sure, Wall-E was probably my favorite film of 2008, so it's little surprise that the Blu-ray would be my favorite disc of the year. But it's rare that the public gets such a well edited, worthwhile set of extras to look through. Because, I mean, let's face it. The movie would have been enough.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Roofus Robot Eats Snow For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner [Robots]

2008-11-22T22:00:00.001-08:00

Roofus is a robot that can do the job of 25 men cleaning up snow. Which is great, because who wants to have a job in this economy? I mean, do you have caterpillar tracks, two electric motors, one petrol engine, capability to carry 550 pounds of snow on your back, remote control link, and your skin is shiny orange? If you said yes to any of these, you don't need a job shoveling snow. Go to the next available circus and/or government agency.

Roofus also has a range finder system built-in. It doesn't only eat snow either: By using different peripherals, it can perform many other functions, like Lawnmowing, plow ending, road cleaning, and brush.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

MechRC is here to dance, not enslave

2008-11-22T03:22:00.001-08:00

Say what you want about robots being our future overlords and all that, but we think they're really just here to boogie. I mean, if all you wanted to do was get your groove on but some engineer kept programming you to scare prisoners or little children, you might go looking for a little payback too, right? Thankfully there's MechRC, a 17-servo kit newly available in the Americas that, despite his menacing visage, should do wonders to soothe human-robot relations through a vast array of funky moves. Thanks to what looks to be some easy to use (though sadly not Mac compatible) software, would-be robo-choreographers of nearly any age should be able to sharpen their teeth here, and while $599 isn't exactly impulse-buy territory, that's considerably cheaper than many of the other robot kits we've covered before -- and some of them can't even shake their tail feather! MechRC sure can, just check out the "Evolution of Dance" homage after the break. Judson Laipply, you just got served!

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: MechRC, robot, robot kit, RobotKit ]

Moshi's IVR Alarm Clock accepts voice commands, harbors own primary directives

2008-11-17T08:53:00.001-08:00

The Moshi IVR (Interactive Voice Responsive) Alarm Clock is a chatty one. Instead of those perfectly reasonable physical buttons which have been providing us with additional five minute segments of sleep since time immemorial, the Moshi IVR wants to talk you through your morning. To activate a command, just say "Hello Moshi." Moshi will most likely mutter something threatening under its virtual breath, and then ask you "Command Please," to which you can instruct the clock to tell you the time, set the alarm, inform you of the temperature and a bunch of other things. Sounds great, and we doubt Moshi will be able to murder you in your sleep without any life support systems or pod bay doors under its dominion, but we still fear the prospect of attempting to reason with a too-smart-for-its-own-good alarm clock during one of those dreaded "before noon" hours of the day. Moshi IVR is available now for $50.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: alarm, alarm clock, AlarmClock, ivr, moshi, moshi ivr, MoshiIvr, voice control, voice recognition, VoiceControl, VoiceRecognition ]

This Robot Wants Your Money, Jerks [Robots]

2008-11-14T03:59:00.003-08:00

Here in America, we use paper to pay for things—maybe plastic if we're lucky. But over in Japan, wireless RFID is gradually becoming the rage. And this NEC robot supports the trend of paying for something without feeling like you're actually paying for something. Using the robot is easy enough. You push the touchscreen on its chest to select, say, tickets for an amusement park. Then you wave your FeliCa-enabled wallet phone (RFID device) over the robot's right hand to, as we can only assume, pay for your tickets and deactivate the robot's deadly laser security system. Apparently the system could also incorporate facial recognition to identify frequent visitors, or recommend services based upon their age/gender. And while we know that this terminal is just a kiosk shaped like a robot, we can't help but to admire the sincere technoanthropomorphism.
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Terminator Salvation to Be Full of Gritty Mechas, Bikebots [Robots]

2008-11-14T03:59:00.001-08:00

I don't know what to think about Terminator Salvation. I like the gritty decay in these leaked production concept illustrations as opposed to the shiny robots shown in the previous movies. But on the other side, it's like the producers took the look and feel of the Matrix, Transformers, and a John Romero zombies movie into a blender and said "push the button, Frank." Then again, I guess there's only one way to portray post-apocalyptical warfare machinery. This: I'm amazed by the Harvesters, the giant mechas you can see next to the tiny T-600, which is a previous even more zombiesque version of Arnie's T-800. But "Mototerminator"? Hello? Does that mean there will also be Carterminators? iPodterminators? Ah, the wonderful world of the merchandising.

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

ALCNON Humanoid Bot Wails on a Tiny, Helpless Robot [Robots]

2008-11-14T03:58:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately for the tiny robot in this video, this David vs. Goliath battle from the recent ROBO-ONE competition in Japan does not have a surprising ending. The gigantic ALCNON humanoid robot easily trounces his miniature opponent with a combination of swift punches and furious dance moves. Maybe it's time someone put a pair of boxing gloves on a toddler and gave this bully a taste of his own medicine. [Botropolis]
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Roomba 530 Wall-E edition proves even robots are corrupted by money

2008-11-10T05:13:00.001-08:00

It's 2008 and we've finally achieved the ultimate goal of modern robotics. No, not singularity... better: a cross-promotional marketing deal between the world's leading robots. Meet the Wall-E edition of iRobot's Roomba 530. The special edition Roomba is just like the original 530 only with the addition of that magnificent sticker for a extra ?5,000 (about $50) premium. 400 units of the limited run vacuumbots are scheduled to go on sale in Japan for ?,84,500 (tax inclusive) starting November 20th. Tsk tsk, what's Eve going to say?
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: 530, disney, irobot, japan, pixar, roomba, roomba 530, Roomba530, wall-e ]

Meet Sparky, the DIY Mac mini telepresence robot

2008-11-09T03:03:00.001-08:00

When robot builders try to put a human face on their creations, the results usually range between mildly creepy and downright disturbing. Sparky, the Self Portrait Artifact Roving Chassis, dodges that problem entirely by displaying the face of a real, live person on an Erector- and bungee-mounted LCD, creating a package that's far more charming than iRobot's ConnectR. Based on a Mac mini, the bot uses Skype for the video and chat, with a plugin enabling the disembodied head to steer the thing about the room, tossing out Max Headroom quotes all the while. A short vid below gives the basics of how to bolt one of these together, while full instructions are at the read link. We just wish they could teach us how to build ourselves a charming smile like that.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: diy, mac mini, MacMini, mod, plugin, robot, skype, telepresence ]

Caterpillar and CMU team up to create world's largest robotic monster truck

2008-11-08T04:19:00.001-08:00

We're always hearing about some fantastical, nigh-mythical creation that Carnegie Mellon University is in the midst of cobbling together from spare parts, crazy ideas, and pure, simple genius, so maybe we shouldn't be frothing over the new robotic truck they've partnered up with Caterpillar to create, but this one promises to be the "world's largest." Adapting software CMU used in the DARPA Urban Challenge, the team hopes to end up with fully automated, 700-ton trucks capable of moving up to 42 miles per hour which will be used for mining. The trucks would theoretically reduce costs, increase productivity, and save lives. The Frankenstein-ed vehicles will boast GPS, laser range finders to identify large obstacles, video equipment, and a "robotic driver." The scientists somewhat predictably foresee some (as of now) rather far-fetched consumer applications in cars and trucks over the "next five to ten years," but we're taking that with a few salt grains for now. The trucks aren't ready quite yet but we hear their arrival is imminent, and and we can only imagine that somewhere in the world, Grave Digger is crying to himself.
Update: We've changed the title to reflect the accurate arrangement, which is a teaming up of CMU and Caterpillar, not DARPA. Thanks to the commenter who pointed that out.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: carnegie mellon, carnegie mellon university, CarnegieMellon, CarnegieMellonUniversity, cmu, darpa, darpa urban challenge, DarpaUrbanChallenge, mining, trucks, urban challenge, UrbanChallenge ]

Oki's robot chair heralds a new age of robot-aided seating

2008-11-06T06:18:00.001-08:00

The chair is a tool of extreme simplicity and antiquity, and many would argue that it's foolish to mess with something that obviously attained perfection with the advent of air conditioned seat cushions. Of course, those people have never seen Leopard, the high-tech "concept chair" that takes technology originally developed for Oki's Robot Leg (an entire robot with design principles based on the human leg) and places it under your posterior for "seating comfort akin to being held in someone's arms." This is a chair that adjusts itself to your back, cradles your bum, and gives you a helpful little boost when it's time to stand up. Sound wasteful? Extravagant? How about totally awesome? Hit the read link for more details, and feel free to check out the fun little picture of the Robot Leg after the break.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: concept, concept chair, ConceptChair, leopard, Oki, robot chair, robot leg, RobotChair, RobotLeg ]

Even robots love Obama

2008-11-05T05:47:00.001-08:00

You know you've tapped into a cross section of America when even the robots come out in your support. The $250 ObamaBot stands 6-feet tall and regurgitates stump speeches by the president-elect while presumably cleansing the Earth of any naysayers. ObamaBot's University of Florida creators see the world as so imperfect, that they'd prefer to pal around with robots who would target their own planet. Run little girl, run... change is coming.
[Via: The Wired Campus ][Tag: barack obama, BarackObama, obamabot, robot, university of florida, UniversityOfFlorida ]

MSR-H101 Hexapod kit lets you build your own nightmares

2008-11-01T08:09:00.001-07:00

Robot builder Matt Denton apparently first built a one-off Hexapod robot for himself some time ago, but he's now taken things one big step further and is offering a kit of a similar bot to the general public through Micromagic Systems. In addition to being excessively creepy (just check out the video after the break), the MSR-101 Hexapod also looks to be relatively simple to get going straight out of the box, with it boasting a built-in HexEngine with plenty of pre-loaded settings, and built-in PS2 controller suppport, which'll let you parade your creation about without having to mess around with it too much beforehand. Of course, there's also plenty of room for more experienced robot builders to get their hands dirty, and Micromagic is more than happy to sell you a whole slew of optional add-ons for the kit. Those just looking to get started, however, can simply grab the base kit in their choice of black, red, or silver for an entirely reasonable €105, or roughly $168 -- just don't blame us if you never get a good night's sleep again.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: hexapod, msr-h101, robot, robot kit, RobotKit ]

Vadersapien has little to do with Darth, much to do with a troubled childhood

2008-11-01T08:08:00.001-07:00

Our favorite robot-obessed entity on these fine internets, RobotsRules, has put out a fairly disturbing video entitled "Vadersapien" as a purported followup to last year's "Elmosapien." What at first might be perceived as a harmless way to enjoy halloween with robots and bit of Vadery goodness quickly devolves into the dark exploration of a mind turned sour by the constant companionship of robots. We're positive [insert name of favorite sci-fi novelist] tried to warn us of this day, but there's really no preparing for a product of so much psychological disruption. It's after the break, of course.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: robosapien, robotsrule, vadersapien, wowwee ]

DARPA contract sets its sights on autonomous, gear carrying robots

2008-10-30T07:18:00.001-07:00

Are you a defense contractor, or would you like to be? DARPA has put out a call for a "legged vehicle capable of maneuvering robustly and nimbly" (which might be military-speak for "prancing" -- we're not entirely sure). To get in on the action, your vehicle must be able to sense, negotiate and operate in complex terrain (rubble-strewn streets and such), follow a soldier through dynamic, cluttered environments, operate quietly, pack 400 pounds of equipment and bring enough fuel for 24 hours of operation. The Legged Squad Support System (it's been pointed out that this sounds a bit like the BigDog we saw a while back) would be required to do all of this autonomously as it follows a soldier up to 100 meters (328 feet) away. Piece of cake, right? If you're interested, hit the read link for the full announcement and be sure to get your proposal in by January 6, 2009. Video of the "classic" BigDog after the break.

[Via: Wired ][Tag: bigdog, darpa, defense, Legged Squad Support System, LeggedSquadSupportSystem ]

Video: Jules the robot makes convincing argument to destroy humanity

2008-10-29T06:45:00.001-07:00

Besides rarely showering, Robotic engineers and researchers also possess a peculiar sense of humor. Trip with us through the uncanny valley as we take a look at the animatronic head developed by David Hanson. Software, developed by the University of Bristol with some help by a professional animator, controls 34 tiny servo motors to mimic facial expressions picked up by Jules' camera. Watch Jules make an ecologically sound case to "destroy humanity" in the video after the break. Indeed, if only Maggie was still in power.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: animatronic, david hanson, DavidHanson, jules, robot, university of bristol, UniversityOfBristol ]

The Assistant Robot cleans almost all that you soil

2008-10-29T06:44:00.001-07:00

Sure, it looks like a friendly robot strapped to a mobile toilet, but this robo-maid developed by Tokyo University's Information and Robot Technology (IRT) center won't be assisting with the after birth of your Turducken food baby. Assistant Robot is domestic enough to do the laundry, sweep, and clean up the kitchen... but there are limits to what its 3D sensors will respond to. Its creators claim that it can recognize when there's more laundry to do and won't be distracted from completing its task by the roar of the crowd from the television. That gives men about 10 - 20 years to get their act together before this robot could conceivably go production. Hot domestic cleaning action in the video posted after the break.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: assistant robot, AssistantRobot, domestic robot, DomesticRobot, irt, japan, robot, video ]

Sony's Rolly learns the Bluetooth trick

2008-10-28T06:52:00.001-07:00

Oh Rolly... we know you're an overpriced, 2GB dancing robot with convoluted controls and questionable sound quality. But dammit, your impractical, big-corporate ways have gnawed a soft-spot deep into the noxious cesspool we call a heart. Now this: Rolly model SEP-50BT with Bluetooth control from your cellphone or laptop. Shipping in Japan on November 21st for an expected ?40,000 or about $427. Sold. Watch it all unfold in the video after the break.

[Via: Impress ][Tag: bluetooth, japan, rolly, sep-50bt, sony ]

JHU researchers create self-assembling organic wires

2008-10-27T19:49:00.001-07:00

Once more it looks like Johns Hopkins has taken humanity a step closer to full-blown Borg-hood. A research team at the school has created water-soluble electronic materials that spontaneously assemble themselves into wires some 10,000 times smaller than a human hair, for potential uses that include regulating cell-to-cell communication, re-engineering neural networks, repairing damaged spinal cords and transforming individuals into cybernetically enhanced drones. The researchers also point out that the self-assembly principles used to create the nano-scale wires are based on those of beta-amyloid plaques (which have been associated with Alzheimers), so the research may someday lead to a better understanding of the disease. This is definitely good news, but we can't help but think that once we've been assimilated into the hive mind Alzheimer's will be the least of our concerns.
[Via: TG Daily ][Tag: alzheimers, alzheimers disease, AlzheimersDisease, borg, health, johns hopkins, johns hopkins university, JohnsHopkins, JohnsHopkinsUniversity, nano, nanotechnology ]

Every Boy Needs a Killer Tentacled Robot (Tee) [Fashion]

2008-10-26T10:12:00.001-07:00

As parents and potential parents, we want better lives for our children. If we drank high fructose corn syrup, we want our children turning back to sugar cane. If we smoked crack and flagellated the occasional trucker for money, we want our children having access to the purist ADHD pharmaceuticals that our Blue Cross coverage can buy. That's how progress works. And if nothing else, this t-shirt featuring a boy and a simple robot that loves him is a beacon of progress. Vote for it now so we can actually buy the shirt soon.[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

NASA Working On a Robotic Space Psychologist, Astronauts in Grave Danger [Scary Robots]

2008-10-26T10:07:00.001-07:00

NASA is set to begin work next month in Boston on a four-year, $1.74 million project called the Virtual Space Station. The project is supposed to create a program that can independently counsel depressed astronauts by supplying solutions to their typed insecurities. AP writer Jay Lindsay insists that it's nothing like HAL 9000, and he's totally right: that was a movie, and this is terrifyingly real. In the program, astronauts type their various psychological problems into a console, and a pre-recorded video therapist leads the astronaut through a series of likely solutions. The robot "helps astronauts identify reasons for their depression. Then the program helps them make a plan to fight the depression." I know you're thinking "well, this is for astronauts, and lucky me, I'm totally unqualified for that kind of job. So I'm safe!" No such luck: the Virtual Space Station is not only being tested on civilians, but the designers hope it will become a widespread tool among those for whom a real, non-robot therapist isn't an option. The biggest problem, aside from the robot gaining independent thought and slaughtering everyone in sight, is privacy. There isn't much guarantee that the astronaut's interactions will be kept secret, and in fact it seems a pretty likely guess that they'll be analyzed extensively. My biggest concern is that a scary robot will know about my intense fear of clowns and that weird dream I have about my third-grade teacher.[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

Toshiba's decade-old automated volleyball bot resurfaces: where's ours?

2008-10-26T08:08:00.001-07:00

If this here press releases didn't have a date of February 1997 on it, we'd swear this was some sort new fancy new development. Sure, robots have been playing sports for ages, but seeing this here creature revived begs the question: why don't we all have one or two of these laying around the house by now? The prototype seen in the video linked below can recognize spoken commands, react to incoming spheres, identify actions of nearby humans and spike volleyballs in your grille all day long. In all honesty, Tosh probably converted this into some sort of elderly assistant bot that didn't catch nearly as much press, but we're still holding onto a sliver of hope that this thing is just about ready for commercial release.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: humanoid, robot, sport, sports, toshiba, video, volleyball ]

Erector's WiFi-enabled Spykee Spy Robot unboxed and toyed with

2008-10-25T04:23:00.003-07:00

Erector's WiFi-enabled Spykee robot hasn't even begun to ship to mere mortals just yet, but through some random acts of wizardry, Sven was able to grab hold of one and give it the ole unboxing / impressions treatment (on video, no less). It could be the novelty factor, but he seemed pretty stoked with the whole package, and the clip waiting in the read link gives some real hard-hitting insight as to whether or not this $300 character deserves a spot in your family. Give it a watch, won't you?
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CAFERO robot waiter serves coffee, does nothing for your loneliness

2008-10-25T04:23:00.001-07:00

If Yujin Robot has its way, cafes the world over will someday replace their waitstaff with robots like CAFERO (shown above at Robot World 2008 in Seoul). Details are scarce, but apparently the automaton takes orders on a touch screen and fills them with the help of a human operator (though it's only a matter of time before the carbon-based barista is obsolete). Robot waitresses don't flirt and they don't ask for tips: does CAFERO represent food service utopia or a chilling vision of the future? Only time will tell.

Duke inches toward autonomous robo-surgeons

2008-10-25T04:22:00.003-07:00

We're a little ambivalent about robots performing surgery autonomously and unattended, but there are clearly cases where it'd be beneficial, and it seems like an inevitable future. Duke researchers working on robo-doc lab feasibility studies announced this week a proof of concept using 3D ultrasound mapping to enable machines to "see" what they're doing. The first test procedures have focused on use of those ultrasound transducers in catheter-based procedures using fluoroscopy, so it sounds like we'll still have a few years before we say ahhh for a machine.

Grand Challenge seeks to boost robotic prowess of British military

2008-10-25T04:22:00.001-07:00

From what we've seen, the British military is pretty savvy on its robotics. Apparently mechanical beings aren't integrated enough, however, as the British Ministry of Defense has launched its first ever Grand Challenge, which "encourages participants to turn their ideas into prototypes for machines the army can use in urban environments." The six finalists that were chosen each received around $600,000 in order to construct their contraptions, and this August, we'll see an unmanned buggy that can analyze a gunman's movements, a self-propelled, remote-controlled camera and minuscule helicopters used for reconnaissance missions. Best of all, these creations won't just be propped up on some shiny display -- oh no, they'll be taking part in a mock battle in Copehill Down, with even more loot and an enviable trophy on the line.

Shape-shifting, organ-probing chembots coming soon

2008-10-25T04:21:00.005-07:00

The current generation of robots, whether they're the gun-carrying or child-coddling variety, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to suit their intended purpose. But if research going on at Tufts University comes to fruition, future robots might feature designs that are rather more flexible. Scientists at the school are working on so-called "chemical robots" with no solid parts. Chembots could squeeze under doors, slither through cracks in walls, and even squirm into your orifices, performing internal diagnoses before slowly dissolving away, leaving nothing more than a feeling of creepy violation behind. What about assuming the shape and voice of John Connor's adopted mother? We're hoping that's still a few years off.

Polymorph robot mimics human joints and muscles, puts curtain rings to good use

2008-10-25T04:21:00.003-07:00

Using polymorph plastic, some curtain rods, electric screwdrivers, motors, and a whole lot of mad-scientist creativity, an Xrobots hobbyist created this organic-looking robot base. By using wooden sockets and curtain rings as hip joints, the designer is clearly going for a human-like creature of doom here. Knee joints are kept moving with four motors each while a network of bungee cords and strings will act as muscles and tendons. Meanwhile, electric screwdrivers provide power for rotation. The legs measure 26-inches tall alone, so it looks like he's on his way to a real beast here. Hit the read link to see all the raw materials and sit in awe at this monster in the making.
[Via: Hacked Gadgets ] [Tag: polymorph,xrobots ]

DelFly Micro Dragonfly Is Smallest Creepy Autonomous Spybot Yet [Nothing To See Here]

2008-10-25T04:21:00.001-07:00

We told you the tiny DelFly II robotic dragonfly spy cam was just the beginning, and we were right. The same Dutch roboticist is now unveiling the DelFly MicroвЂ”with a wingspan of just 10cm and a weight of 3.07 grams, it's the first to be smaller than an actual real-life dragonfly. Granted, the dragonfly being used for comparison is Borneo's Tetracanthagyna plagiata, which has a frankly horrifying 20cm wingspanвЂ”the largest in the world, no less. But still, now you're even less likely to realize those annoying bugs whizzing around during your protest march are actually just autonomous insectoid ornithopters keeping an eye on youвЂ”nothing to worry about. See it take to the air, complete with live eye-in-the-sky video feed, below.
[DelFly via IEEE Spectrum Blog] Thanks, Erico!
[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ] [Tag: ]

Humanoid learns to cook breakfast, fend for himself

2008-10-25T04:20:00.001-07:00

Never mind getting tesla coils to fix your supper, just hit the on switch on your own personal humanoid. Reportedly, the creature you see above has been loaded with learning algorithms that enable it to repeat actions that it learns. Wonder if anyone realized that this totally demented critter just learned to slice more than ham? Stay sharp, kids -- the video's after the break.

[Via: Hacked Gadgets ] [Tag: cook,cooking,food,hoap-3,humanoid,robot,video ]

Cafero Entertainment Bot Keeps Day Job as Bionic Barista [Robots]

2008-10-24T07:39:00.001-07:00

The wizards at Korea's Yujin Robot have invented a coffee-serving robot. I wish I could tell you more about it, particularly why coffee; looks like it wouldn't have any trouble just as easily serving beer, absinthe or cupcakes. Aving didn't post any additional descriptions, just great photos, so I'm not even sure Cafero knows how to make the coffee it serves. Whatever, it's a cool-looking semi-humanoid robot—with its with tray-friendly arms, a big wheely foot and a touchscreen face—so I decided to share it with you, in depth description or no. [Aving]

[Via: Gizmodo, The Gadget Blog ][Tag: ]

EI-E: Now robots hope to put dogs out of work too

2008-10-23T18:57:00.001-07:00

Nothing fulfills the need for companionship like the cold hard steel of a robot. The gentle whooshing of gears and servos floats misty lavender doughnuts of joy into the hearts of even the most severely disabled farmers. So we're stoked to see that researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have taken the best attributes of our canine helpers and applied them to the EI-E helper robot. Like a service dog trained to grab hold of a towel to manipulate doors and drawers, the domestic robot can navigate the complexities of your home decor and respond to laser pointed or voice-commands such as push, pull, and a variety of hot tugging actions. Drape that thing in a plush, doughboy suit and we'll be singing Ee i Ee i Oh! all the way home.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: domestic, ei-e, Georgia Institute of Technology, GeorgiaInstituteOfTechnology, robot ]

Husqvarna's solar-powered Automower headed to the US

2008-10-23T18:51:00.001-07:00

Husqvarna's plain old battery-powered Automowers have been available in the US for some time now, but it looks like the company's solar-powered hybrid model is now finally making the trip across the pond as well. From the looks of it, the model is the same one we caught sight of back in March, with the 22-pound mower promising to handle lawns up to half an acre in size and not emit a single emission whilst it does its business. As with the regular models, it'll also return to its base to speed up the charging process when it gets low on juice. Unfortunately, there's no word on a price or release date just yet, though we wouldn't expect it to sell for too much less (if any) than the ?2,000 (or just over $3,000) it sold for in the UK. Husqvarna will apparently have more to say about that at the Green Industry and Equipment Expo that's now getting underway in Louisville, Kentucky.
[Via: The Raw Feed ][Tag: automower, husqvarna, lawnmower, solar power, solar powered, solar powered lawnmower, SolarPower, SolarPowered, SolarPoweredLawnmower ]

PlantBot takes your flora in search of sun (and fun!)

2008-10-21T11:36:00.001-07:00

You try and you try to keep your plants well-watered and situated in the brightest spot you can find, but that darned sun has an annoying tendency to move and leave your urban foliage wilting. You could try leaving them in the window, or switching to creepy robotic flowers, or you could just replace your pots with PlantBot, a four-legged contraption designed to seek out the sun and plunk your plant right where it needs to be. Designed by The Play Coalition, a group of people who "love to design things that are often functional but usually just fun," it looks like something out of a woodworking-themed anime, tickling our geeky natures while exuding that undeniable aesthetic of a well-made piece of furniture -- even if not delivering quite the same level of usefulness. Alas, there's no video available of this in action, but we do have an animation of it shambling across the room waiting for you just below.

[Via: MAKE ][Tag: plant, PlantBot, The Play Coalition, ThePlayCoalition, woodworking ]

Keepon dancing robot going commercial

2008-10-21T11:23:00.001-07:00

The Keepon dancing robot has already managed to win the hearts of most anyone that's seen it in action, and it looks like it could soon be winning plenty more, as the bot's creators have now formed a company, dubbed BeatBots, with the intent of commercializing it. While they eventually hopes to get the cost down to a reasonable level, they'll apparently first be marketing a $30,000 Keepon Pro model to research institutes studying human-robot interaction -- and anyone else with thirty grand to burn, we suppose. Somewhat curiously, it'll be built with the help of Japan's Kokoro Company, which is better known for its slightly creepy robots like the Actroid than those of the cute and cuddly variety.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: beatbots, dancing robot, DancingRobot, keepon, kokoro, robot ]

A closer look at Elbot's Turing test conversation

2008-10-19T19:00:00.001-07:00

Earlier this week, Elbot made a fairly impressive showing (comparatively speaking, at least) when fooling three judges into thinking it was human; had it fooled one more on the dozen deep panel, it would have successful passed the famed Turing test. Auntie Beeb now has a report on what exactly Elbot said when asked a litany of questions away from the competition, and there's also a video with the related experts dissecting its performance. To be totally honest, its responses weren't too far from being completely passable as ones from a tired, potentially inebriated Earthling (in our humble opinion), but we'll leave the final determination to you. Touch the read link for a one-on-one with ones and zeros.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: AI, artificial intelligence, ArtificialIntelligence, conversation, Elbot, robot, turing test, TuringTest ]

Researchers create wirelessly-powered robot swarm

2008-10-17T22:07:00.001-07:00

Wireless power has come a long way from Nikola Tesla's early ruminations on the matter, and it looks like some researchers from Duke and Georgia Tech are now taking the idea to its logical, robot-powering conclusion. While their setup (thankfully) isn't yet able to power robots beyond the confines of the Q L-C resonator-equipped table, it does appear to work remarkably well in that limited proof-of-concept, with five bots each equipped with a non-resonant pickup coil able to follow a path around the table, or simply sit still to recharge their batteries. They were even able to power an LED light with the system for good measure. Natually, they eventually hope to expand the system to power larger swarms of robots and do away with the need for batteries altogether. Yeah, that's a good idea. Head on past the break for a video.

[Via: Engadget ][Tag: duke, georgia tech, GeorgiaTech, robot swarm, RobotSwarm, swarm, swarm robots, SwarmRobots, wireless power, WirelessPower ]

Video: Virginia Tech's IMPASS robot has spokes, but no rims

2008-10-16T07:00:00.001-07:00

It's been a few years since we saw an early, fledgling render of IMPASS, the Intelligent Mobility Platform with Actuated Spoke System under development at Virginia Tech's Robotics & Mechanisms Lab. Now look at it, all grown up and featured front and center in an episode of our favorite show for geeking out: Engineering TV. The bot, with its rimless wheels, is shown dynamically adjusting the length of each spoke as appropriate to scamper up over obstacles or cross divots unperturbed. Two motors provide movement while three more inside the wheels themselves use treads to shift the spokes in and out based on inputs from laser and IR range finders, ensuring this ride's height is always precisely calculated. We know who to call before the next Engadget lowrider throw down.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: IMPASS, robotics and mechanisms lab, RoboticsAndMechanismsLab, virginia tech, VirginiaTech, vt ]

DARwIn IIIx RoboCup entrant gets shown off on video

2008-10-13T18:56:00.001-07:00

We caught sight of the very first DARwIn soccer-playing robot way back when, but the folks at Virginia Tech's Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory unsurprisingly haven't been resting on their laurels all this time, and they're now out there showing off the bot's latest incarnation, which they hope will lead 'em to victory in the next RoboCup competition. Dubbed the DARwIn IIIx, this one apparently uses some of the same technology developed for Virgina Tech's DARPA Urban Challenge entry, known as "Odin," and is a complete redesign over the previous DARwIn IIx model, boasting an improved range of motion and a whole host of software upgrades that promise to improve its perception and let it better adapt to different lighting conditions, among other things. Head on past the break to check out the (unfortunately auto-playing) video.
[Via: Engadget ][Tag: DARwIn, DARwIn IIIx, DarwinIiix, robocup, soccer, virgina tech, VirginaTech ]