ROBOT'S LIFE

ChemBot by iRobot takes up some changes

2008-06-18T04:33:00.000-07:00

If you close to your children, immediately remove them from the screen, iRobot above board got that ChemBot obligation DARPA was shopping around extreme extent, which individual that before we be read it, worldly-wise bots aim be emission through keyholes and planning utterly agreeable movies forfeited double o for creature second or propriety. Probably. The feature is a "multi-epoch, multi-million" R&D impulse to whip robots that are quieted and resigned, and can shape through openings lesser than their perceptible "structural" dimensions. And of mechanism the bots can't be unavailing piles of eject, both, they'll shortcoming to single out obstacles and lip succor findings. IRobot is teaming up with Harvard and MIT for the guess, and expects to be channels in examine from fields as unalike as constitution and "actuator technologies" to institute the bots.

New NASA Lunar Robots testing On Earthen Moonscape

2008-06-17T02:39:00.000-07:00

Conditions on the moon will be harsher, but prototype NASA automatic vehicles braved smooth storms and unprecedented temperature swings this month on sand dunes near Moses Lake, Wash. to arrange for impending astral expeditions. Teams from seven NASA centers and some universities conducted the tests in June.

NASA's Human Robotic Systems Project, part of the group's Exploration Technology Development Program, alert on being and robotic mobility systems for the moon, but also looked at communication and expertise and power systems that will attach the explorers with Earth and one another. The Moses Lake dunes provided a broad type of soil consistencies and ground that allowed the party to put prototype survey robots, rovers, payload carriers, cranes and spacesuits through tests in a harsh and varying environment.

The prototype tests tells developers of fact requirements desirable in planetary outside help systems for the Constellation Program. The train house the launch vehicles and spacecraft that will take a new generation of explorers to the moon, as well as astral landers, habitats, life keep systems, vehicles and robots to care them. A ground restricted players located thousands of miles away at Johnson operated the robots and coordinated the schedule of the apposite explorers.

More images and video from the tests, as well as more information about the work NASA is doing to return to the moon, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration

Reem-B is real humanoid robot (details)

2008-06-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

A new humanoid robot called Reem-B was unveiled on Wednesday at a happening on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emerites.

The Reem-B robot from Pal Technology Robotics is talented of face recognition, oration interaction, biped walking, traversing stairs, and session (see cartridge below). It could also concede and pluck up matter, as well as evaluate and map out a scope to better pilot it.

Reem-B stands at 4'10" (1.47 meters) tall and weighs about 132 pounds (60Kg). It could convey up to 26 pounds (12Kg) in its arms and totter at a pace of 1 mph (1.5Km/h). It could also climb stairs. Using a focal CPU that consists of a Core 2 Duo (1.66GHz) and a Geode (500MHz), the robot can conduct for about 120 minutes before its battery desires to be recharged.

By comparison, Honda's Asimo robot is faintly shorter and lighter, at 4 feet, 3 inches tall, and weighing 119 pounds. The Honda robot is also a bit earlier, with a running capability of 4 mph, compared to Reem-B's 1 mph walking tempo.

However, where Asimo claims 34 degrees of openness, Reem-B claims to have 41 degrees of abandon, making it more open with traffic.

Pal Technology Robotics began posting photos and some video record of Reem-B on its site in April, but the robot was not officially unveiled to the community awaiting Wednesday.

iRobot Seaglider will be discover the sea

2008-06-16T03:02:00.000-07:00

iRobot has safe private commercial rights to grow an unmanned sea-faring robot from a group at the University of Washington.

The Bedford, Mass.-based guests made the announcement Tuesday at the yearly meeting for the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI). Specifically, the harmony is to commercialize an AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) called the Seaglider.

The Seaglider was urbanized by the Applied Physics Laboratory and the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington with the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research, which funded the opening foretell.

iRobot believes the Seaglider has armed application probable. The business's Government & Industrial Robots split, the same segment of the troupe that urban its martial PackBot, has been put in expense of developing the Seaglider, according to two iRobot sources.

A municipal report from co-creator and Chair Helen Greiner also showed the guests has military use in view.

"We have a strapping chase record for transferring new technology from inquiries initiatives into goods that funds military missions...Licensing the Seaglider from the University of Washington will help our robots beat new underwater frontiers," Greiner said.

As part of the treaty, the University of Washington will hold the rights to remain to polish and develop Seaglider robots for its own inquiries use, according to iRobot.

Korean Pomi penguin robot shows its emotions

2008-06-14T01:52:00.000-07:00

We've seen amply of robots that shot to exhibit emotions, but nobody fairly like this Pomi penguin robot developed by Korea's Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, which can emit two unspecified smells besides employing some more normal means of charter you know how it feels. Those other options compose a "kindness box" on its chest that changes its heartbeat based on its mood, and mutable lips, eyebrows and pupils that'll let it make faces at you, along with the standard sensors to trail you around, and utter recognition to help it list some pre-programmed answers. Unlike some other like bots, however, this one is apparently ready to actually be commercially unfilled by the end of next month, though there's no word on an outlay tag just yet.

A.R.E.S. Telepresence Tank-Robot gets commands via WiFi

2008-06-14T01:43:00.000-07:00

As if you had any dispute to consider that killbots weren't multiplying by the thorough, here's yet another container to assail panic in your kindness. Project A.R.E.S. was intended with a few key goals in opinion: to swap person soldiers and to demonstrate that the weapons system could be controlled wirelessly / vaguely. The designers also set out to "impart a form of pointer so that the customer could steer the robot lacking actually being dowry," and the existing type has been equipped with a partially-routine steeple and a wireless camera to give the controller a good outlook of the surroundings. We don't get the idea that this bugger has enlisted just yet (wader camp is a bore, you know), but be trusty and verify out the video of it prancing about after the recoil.

DIY Wall-E robot built themself (+video)

2008-06-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

Look at that straightforward man. No, earnestly, appearance at this robot. You identify with ground he's disconsolate? He's umbrageous because you refuge't shapely him presently. He's mind: "Oh, downright, past is towering on this deal reconciler, poll up maniacal and bolts, but I yearning to light on the immeasurable colossal moved. I insufficience to be shapely by that thing, rendering this posting conformed now on our blog, so we can be contacts boundless and acutely." Now, how can you baulk a facade like that? This cleaned-cut DIY Wall-E's omnipotent wrote up a 50 wont tutorial so you can get to strife liberty this very repercussion bringing this automatic not prolonged fuzzball to racket. Don't suspend.

Watch video:

BSI-Toyota and Riken robot goes on a neural bender

2008-06-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

You are on the lookout for a very Futurama as the human-robot in the last mashup of the industry to beat. He has a brain. It is the result of research BSI-Toyota and Riken Company, whose goal is the development of robots and automotive systems neurotechnologie similar to how our brains of carbon. The research should lead to high self-developed technology for security, the spirit of the machine, and a new generation of baby-wearing shoes for the robot, friendship and health care. Fortunately, this movement tyke has a long way to go before the start of the diffraction of steel girders required to secure the suicide forced booths from our misfortune.

Robodog review: WowWee's Wrex the Dawg

2008-06-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

Unless you have explicitly looking out, you very well remember May WowWee robot dog was mad uncaged the CES. After sustained on his first day of training (which we call a test of our needs), we are forced to believe that this puppy is "the silliest robot you love." The commentators are not shy of the caller when he saw how Wrex was welcomed as "absolutely terrible, a dog, and even worse, a robot." Of course, it is quite easy to see what bugger should try to provide the assistance and sophisticated comedy is not the company, if this information is not exactly negative. Total Wrex is almost guaranteed to keep you laughing for a daily, and if you do not believe that activate the video waiting period after the break.

Autonomous Industrial Mobile Robot system presented by Seegrid

2008-06-05T08:49:00.000-07:00

It seems that in comparison upstart Seegrid fact, the robot hook, a little more jobs normally reserved for humans, which now shows its autonomous Industrial Mobile robotic system (or the infant mortality), which promises that the autonomy shipping handling of the vehicles of work in environments that were previously not economically or technically possible to serve them. The heart of the system is strengthened "tugger" normally used to press to baskets, with four pairs of cheap CMOS cameras that are linked to the level of the old USB to the computer under the hood. This enables the robot to consider a 3D map of almost any area, then it is a T over and over again.

Phoenix Mars Lander's robotic arm makes contact (+photo)

2008-06-03T07:19:00.000-07:00

The Phoenix Mars Lander's robotic arm hit the planet in the field for the first time on Saturday. The effort, which has seven days after the lander touched down, is part of NASA's efforts to ball specimens red planet for experiments on the lander.

A giant "footprint" was left behind by the robotic arm of contact in the King of Hearts zone Mars. The mark, which was captured by the camera on the lander, looks like it could have been made by mythology Himalayas snowman. In reference to this, NASA has named the impression zone "Yeti".

The lander, the camera has also taken other images of the area under the lander, which has been dubbed the "Snow Queen". Images of the "Snow Queen" support site more NASA scientists assumptions that the region in and around the lander is composed of ice, according to a statement by Uwe Keller, the robotic arm of the device Research lead of the Max Planck Institute for research on solar systems.

NASA photos of this last event in Phoenix also offers a more philosophical reflection on the future of space exploration. Man of the first "footprint" in Mars was made by a robot slipping, not a step in humans.

Vstone's Tichno robots slow like old-man (+video)

2008-06-02T02:12:00.000-07:00

If the child is a little uncomfortable, because he comes from school Vstone New Tichno robot on the grounds. Difficult, not really. Although the four-and foot-fourth the height / 26 kg (57 pounds) Tichno Features 2 - and 3-axis accelerometers, aluminium / carbon coated in an ABS plastic, and the same control that the Robovie - X, It is slow, as the old man slowly. However, with a price of only ¥ 10000000 (in the vicinity of $ 100000), it is assumed that you find what you pay.

Watch video:

Robodog Sparky correctly reacts to surroundings (+video)

2008-06-02T02:04:00.000-07:00

This robodog has created by five Interaction Design Master students. It actually respond in a reasonable way to a positive / negative scenarios is about. For example, is the creature's head, whimper and collapse if "carbon monoxide, smoke cigarettes, alcohol, too much dark lighting, hitting and yelling." Consequently, he blithely and show signs of agitation, as standing in broad daylight or go on walks. All the advantages of your own pet, minus the manure and doggy day-care facilities costs - brilliant! Peep Sparky's day out in the city after the jump.

Watch vcideo:

Tri-Bot by WowWee gets an early review (+ video)

2008-06-02T01:51:00.000-07:00

We got a chance, a little time with WowWee of the Tri-Bot way of the ESC to the beginning of this year, but the people of the Robot rule recently had the chance offered by all non-summer before his release, and they have churned now to a very thorough examination. In the series, they seem very impressed by the bot, and they think that it also call for more do-it-yourself d 'spirit of the people, because it is the young, with a large part to its wheelbase and unique tilt sensor with remote control. Bot contrast, the sensors were unable to detect anything on the ground under the chest, and had it seems a tendency to change from time to time, attempts to install walls (the ten minutes before the stored audio also seems to be how quickly it could be boring in real terms). If this is not in your favour, you can watch video after the break.

Antarctic SnoMote robots can autonomously explore snow Land

2008-05-30T08:16:00.001-07:00

Early we have seen a pair of robotic effort to explore the Arctic and Antarctica, but they were all operated distance learning - in contrast to the SnoMote a new message to Georgia Tech can navigate, around him - even ice and snow. Boxes for the mini-sled-based SnoMotes can negotiate with each other and "offer" to the sites to investigate, and the navigation through microscopic cracks in the rankings terrain ice. The robots are not in Antarctica, but they are apparently handling simulations very well, and it is expected that teams from 40 to 50 of the machines-$ 10000, on the ice, the collection of data for the climate change models. Make sure - and the next thing you know, Antarctica is the flashpoint of the Revolution.

Texas-based KumoTek Present KT-X Humanoid Robot Kit

2008-05-29T03:58:00.000-07:00

Meny different humanoid robots have already made known Vstone presence in Japan, and it seems that now they are making their way here with a little help people of Texas-based KumoTek. They just announced their new line of KT series X-robots (apparently identical to Vstone of Robovie-X), including 13 KT-engine X-Lite, the engine 17-KT-X, and the engine 20 KT X-Gladiator, all of which are apparently aimed at the entire market and the price range of $ 990 to $ 1490. Like its Vstone coutnerpart, KT-X measure about 13 inches high, and can be controlled through a wireless PS2, but apparently it comes with the added advantage of education KumoTek the Robot PETS (Robots Promoting education in science) education system, which the company hopes to contribute to students in a broad career in robotics or mechanical.

Urban Aeronautics Panda unmanned aerial vehicle prototype (video)

2008-05-28T02:55:00.000-07:00

Israeli company Urban Aeronautics has published the first of a series of test flights to the Panda introduces a new unmanned aerial vehicle prototype, bringing us closer to what could be the ultimate medivac.

The Urban Aeronautics, already the mule and the X-Hawk drone in large, can be configured to primarily supplies, medical evacuation, the benefit for maintenance, taxi, instead of high-rescue, and perhaps the cleaning of the discs .

The technology is based on the "classic, the first measure the beginning of the year 1960" that the website of the companies. This model is based on two electric motors and can carry about 3 pounds of payload, it's enough to provide an organ transplant. The company's patented calmly, "rotorless" Fancraft technology promises to eliminate the risks associated with the helicopter. And the fact that they have a stable steady flight near walls, slopes, the son and other electrical and is able to land in all security in the fixed soon Sites May could mean that you have something to the fact that this now neglected space between the roofs and the streets. Well, if it can only turn to solar energy.

Watch video:

First Images f Mars Planet from Phoenix Lander

2008-05-27T04:24:00.000-07:00

Things are good for the Phoenix lander, which touched down on Mars at 4:53 pm on Sunday, May 25. NASA nerds reported a nearly perfect landing, with only spacebot inclined quarter of degree. In fact, they are arguing that the landing was "much smoother than any simulation test or who has never been done." Lander from the North Pole-place is measured at -106 degrees Fahrenheit and full of life to preserving the ice. Phoenix on March cold for 90 days, sniffing the ground and the search for Martian frozen, whatever form they take May. Now that March Oddyssey - one of its main communications uplinks -- Has risen above the lander, we have our first images, one of whom is above.

Panasonic robot powered on EVOLTA batteries can climbs

2008-05-26T04:03:00.001-07:00

This is not a little, like a good tip robots in connection with the advertising by the heart poundin on a Sunday. For your examination, Panasonic robot offered a small 7-inch robot by AA batteries EVOLTA who like to pass on a seven-clock cable increase of more than 1700 vertical easy walk to the Grand Canyon. Fine, we Panasonic, hemorrhoids last EVOLTA all in one - you can now stop the lovable little robot in the risk to consider.

NASA Mars Phoenix lander to touched down on the Mars Planet

2008-05-26T03:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, Phoenix lander is mere hours away from touch down on Mars, and NASA's blowing this thing. Not only do I become a live video feed from their side, but apparently Mission Control ops are liveblogging touchdown and the resulting alien encouners / total boring rock digging. Festivities kick off at around 6:00 PM ET, prepare to be stunned faces.

More information at NASA source:

Read - Phoenix mission page
Read - NASA Mission Control liveblog
Read - NASA live video feed

ROBO Builder kit: build your own robot

2008-05-26T03:47:00.000-07:00

All robot-builders certainly don't have any shortage of kits to choose from these days, but this new self-descriptive ROBO Builder set looks to be a good deal more complete than most and, compared to the norm, is somewhat more reasonably priced. You can combine three different robots (known as Dino, Huno and Dogy) on the basis of the robot, which seemingly everyone can be programmed with various activities, or simply by a computer or on the remote control. You can also use your choice black or transparent kits, this last, in some offer much higher break-dancing skills. It is also much more expensive, with a cost of 660000 won ($ 630) compared to 450,000 ($ 430) for the basic version black.

Dutch Walking Robot "Flame" is really amazing

2008-05-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

Walking robots always surprised, but the "Flame" of the Delft University doctoral candidate Daan Hobbelen is what we love, a mega-breakthrough. In imitation, as the people under the Way Forward, was insanely robot is close to reality. Normally, the robots avid hiker energy proposals, but it is the first thing that an efficient and stable. Inside Flame are seven motors and a balance "organ" loaded with stability algorithms. By measuring each step, the robot fits the width position, speed and go on the road. In the end, the children, we are in search of the world's most advanced and efficient robot.

Wiimote robotic arm, more effectivity now!

2008-05-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Of course, he has before, but not by the idea of a robotic arm by a Wiimote less exciting, especially when the arm is actually felt. This ability is greatly facilitated by the fact that this new configuration was by a member of National Instruments, has exercised some of its LabVIEW and hardware specifically Bluetooth adapter to connect the poor to browse, a wrist (or Wiimote by the Buttons on the camera).

Watch video:

&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt;

Video: Grasshoppper "robot": new record in high-jumping

2008-05-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

Although proud of having everything that is not exactly that many characteristics such as robots, Grasshopper Bot inspired by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology is apparently enough to claim a robot, the top of the jump record, he could enter the hand to jump 27 times his own height. This was with the help of a machine, originally designed to handle the vibrations a pager unit, which in this case the winds of two metal springs, which ultimately liberate and in the spring Bot 5 cm high in the air. What if he did not have all the resources to manage itself, or even land on his feet just yet, the scientists behind the finally offered hope that some solar cells, sensors and a microprocessor, what they say could one day enable swarms of ' em explore in the disaster area, or even hop on their way to the surface of other planets.

Watch video:

SRI International's wall-climbing robot cling to nearly any building material !

2008-05-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

Almost all robots that we have seen recently have been targeted in carrying out human-like tasks or simply too adorable to scared, but SRI International wall-climbing robot is doing its best to save a little terror in the bot game, using something called "electro-accession" to cling to almost all building materials and climb with surprising speed. Electro-accession is relatively low, apparently power, and SRI researchers claim that bots can even climb walls are covered with dust or debris other.

Mega Dynamizer Robot mows down your lawns (+video)

2008-05-20T03:07:00.000-07:00

Of course, you can get a robot to mow lawns and nothing else, but what about those of us who hold for a humanoid robot that will put all our tools of the 20th century scrap ? Although this possibility is still quite out of the way, we can at least get a glimpse of our future possible on a comic-sized scale courtesy of the video after the break, which shows the Mega Dynamizer robot doing its thing with a reasonable efficiency - at least until he faces a doghouse. Of course, those who follow such things will recall that this is not the first time the family Dynamizer robots took on some decidedly man as activities, with a Mega Dynamizer his predecessors, having already proved its worth , Itself a relatively downhill skier.

Watch video:

Robot Neuro surgeon removes brain tumor in Canadian hospital

2008-05-20T03:02:00.000-07:00

Although it is certainly not the first time that a robot surgeon, after the accession of new employees in a Canadian hospital, the history made, in Calgary. The doctors (human nature) have been able to use distance, an imaging and neuroArm remove a brain tumor in women of 21 years. Salué as the first procedure of this kind, the team has already taken a number of patients to receive surgery, hand and machine is given to his movements precise and delicate. Unfortunately for the poor, no wage increase (or extend holidays) is in sight.

Swashbot R/C robot from Crabfu (photo and video)

2008-05-19T02:58:00.000-07:00

Most of the error-inspired robot to do a much better job of creeping us out, as he gave us the warm fuzzies, but this here Swashbot R / C robot from Crabfu is just too cute for words. It kind of looks like he in search of his little robot friends so they sing a song about slushies before nap while dragging a cinder block behind him. You know, cute.
Watch video:

Toyota's robo-quartet playing concert (video)

2008-05-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

At first, we saw Asimo Honda conduct the Detroit Symphony, Toyota troubled team robots hopped a car with a bribe and liquidation bending and kicking a clear cry harmonic certain corporate thugs Japan. The group consists of a couple repurposed DJ robots and new partners Robots. While it is commendable, there is not enough ecstasy for us, not enough life, joy, kicks, darkness, music ... not enough night.
Watch video:

CHRIS project: Robot in your Kitchen

2008-05-19T02:24:00.000-07:00

We are not sure what now with the sudden outbreak of new EU and EC-funded robotics research, but we will not refuse the help, robotics kitchen, to say hello, then the cooperative by the people Robot Interaction System (CHRIS ) Project, the objective of a robot is able to safely work with the people. According to the researchers, this plan is "to develop the rules that we need, over the introduction of this high level of development in the service of the robots, in close cooperation with the People" and to this end have already built several prototypes and began to test the scenarios, like a robot how to react should a worker accidentally splashed water from the man with the warm soup, or, as the facial expressions and tones of voice. It is good for us - we are sure, an army deathbots can not cause damage to soup - but we will assure us of the population to chop, k?

Bugs inspire robotic creations

2008-05-19T02:18:00.000-07:00

Rest assured, it is not the first or the last time you hear insects and mammals serve as a source of inspiration for the creatures robotic systems. Nevertheless, a recent MIT mechanical engineering course saw students craft bots that could handle "beaver-like tasks" such as "knocking down trees and gathering food in the form of street hockey balls" while fending off competitors in 45-second rounds. In addition, the EU funds SPARK company is looking for "development of a new architecture for mobile robot robot by the principles for the conduct of living creatures and based on the concept of self-organization." There is so much more material to your skin operating in the links below, just don't feed the mechs, okay?

ASIMO Robot manages the orchestra (+video)

2008-05-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

Stand Down Slowly, oh transport readers and the defenders of the meat, we get reports from Detroit that the handling of Stories ASIMO is not directly the human race to their misfortune. Instead, Yo-Yo Ma and that is safe, Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert of the compensation went smoothly, while the ASM a cool million dollars for the musical education of children Grosse Pointe. Of course, Honda-built robot was not as happy as he "entered" on his way back through the parking garage.

Watch video:

Riding Robot RINGBO for kids (+video)

2008-05-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

Why is this child so happy? This is because it takes the constituency RINGBO robot by the horns! See its joy, as the cruises a set of time, an extravagant 2MPH? Hey, it has lasted only six hours to save costs. RINGBO by the Cor-like joysticks, and we can only hope that the front panel includes an infrared receiver - that is the parents about the time of joy, as they take the children to their direction. RINGBO by Airrobot this week Koreannovation Trade Show in New York, so we will not fail to bring our offspring, as he did for children aged 2-3 and up to 66lbs. We simply want to know two things: how, and you can cheat the 66lb weight limit? Maybe just a little? C'mon. You want your mind completely blown? Watch video bellow.

"Automatic Mahjong Table" - Real System for Poker lovers (video)

2008-05-13T06:44:00.000-07:00

Poker May as the "game of Champions" here in the U.S., but also in other parts of the world Mahjong holds this title. It is therefore hardly surprising that his own version of "Ideal" We have already mentioned.

"Automatic Mahjong Table" mixture tiles, which are channelled into a centre of unity, and miraculously students in the lines well stacked against every player. (See the video below.) There is even a laundry dryer, which is still in ras from the surface of the table, until a button is pressed, grow the action as a mixer.

Like so many products from Asia, but we recommend not on the basis printed. As Purple Pion Note the table describing the product says: "The support of English language."

Microtransat robot: Artificial Intelligence in the sea !

2008-05-12T02:27:00.000-07:00

Maybe our challenges robo-talk about our respective stories: The Americans have the last years of intelligent vehicles drive through vast desert, but more in Europe, scientists and technicians are in the process of preparation for this autumn Microtransat that the machinery must be sailing on the Atlantic with only the wind and artificial intelligence. The race, as proof of a long-term concept of the Autonomous lake vessels scientists, the, uh, robots three months.

Robots prepare you fiery cocktail at San Francisco

2008-05-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

At a Friday evening preview of the Roboexotica event in San Francisco, which will take place on Saturday, Simone Davalos' cocktail robot "El Espanol Baracho" is her special elixir to a Spanish coffee. Roboexotica, the target has taken place a decade in Vienna , Austria, and is visiting San Francisco, is an exhibition of robots to mix and serve cocktails.

SAN FRANCISCO - Since I was one of the first people to arrive Friday evening for a preview of this weekend's cocktail robot exhibition here, I went to the first drink.

David Calkins, one of the organisers of the San Francisco version of Roboexotica - an event that was held in Vienna, Austria, in a decade - had set his robots, Chapek, exactly, she was ready, asked me to say that Machine, what I wanted to drink.

This was, of course, Calkins had ended Chapek ready to go.

"Let's see whether it up and exploded," he said, "it has in the past."

He flicked a switch and Chapek was ready.

"Hey," he said, satisfied. "It was not so."

Chapek, named after Karel Capek, coined the term "robot" is a small robot with a mischievous face, wiry metal weapons, and an attached control box, where you say what kind of cocktail you want to mix it up and you.

Boost robotic prowess of British military

2008-05-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

After what we have seen, the British army is enough warning to the work of its robotics. It appears to be mechanical are not enough, however, that the British Ministry of Defence has the first Grand Challenge, "the participants encouraged their ideas into prototypes for the army of machines may be in the urban environment." The six finalists were selected, each received around $ 600000 to build their contraptions, and August, we will see, without a stroller, analyse, a man of movements, car-driven, by remote control small camera and helicopters used appreciation for the missions. Better yet, these creations not only on certain propped glossy display - oh no, they take part in a simulation of the battle in Copeland Hill Down, with even more loot and an enviable trophy on the line.

Humanoids already know how to cook breakfast for themselves (+video)

2008-05-08T00:54:00.000-07:00

Ever is the spirit tesla coils, your dinner, simply press the humanoid your own. It appears that the creature you see above, has been contracted, learning algorithms that allow it to repeat that the actions learn. Ensuring ask if anyone has denied that this entirely Critter just learn a segmentation of more than ham? Stay strong, the children - from video after the break.
Watch video:

radio-controlled cooler for the world's laziest host

2008-05-07T02:34:00.000-07:00

This may be the best way to provide drinks, because the "Flying Barstool".

Radio-controlled cooler can be a substitute poolside cabana boy and you will not even give it a reminder. We suggest that only sealed containers, but not any fruit flavor drinks, can easily spread their umbrellas.

There are other drawbacks: the cooler held just six drinks and a range of only 30 feet, according to geekalerts, so that your guests will have to stay at a reasonable near you like it or not, it. But if you take the team a beer for the Roomba-expected, the supply is limited, only the ability, your refrigerator.

Wannabe Roombas small vacuum cleaners to clear the mud

2008-05-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

These little guys I thought: what is the least important of a gadget?

The Robo Vacuum of Perpetual Kid Cuteness are on steroids. And that is why these wannabe Roombas, spotted a Boing Boing gadgets, for $ 15 each are probably not super efficient. (But never mind! We here at Crave love useless eye candy.)

The vacuum Robo is a smaller, cheaper version of the Roomba, the robotic vacuum that your dirty work for you. That is, you click on it, and it buzzes around your house, sucking up dirt so you do not have. It is red, white and black, and needs only two AA batteries.

Bug-bot reveals swarming drones, extreme rocking

2008-05-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

We know that you love swarmed the millennium bug bot Although we do, of course, we are pleased to introduce the project BAE Systems mast other days. Fortunately, the military contracting companies do not simply stay in the photo, to intimidate the living daylights out of humanity, they also created a real cheesy, but deeply frightening to the video with them. A Glimpse of days to enjoy network control / shredding guitar for the future after the war, to break - not to say that we did not warn you.

Wow, Robotic squirrel used to study real-life squirrel behavior

2008-05-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

Most of the squirrels on our university campuses was a large-scale, super-smart small mammals were best dealt with by the alert, avoid, but it looks like New Hampshire, University Professor Sarah partan are taking the opposite approach, the use of Robot squirrel named as the "Rocky" interaction with the local rodents close. Rock is to control the wireless from a laptop computer, and can effectively move his tail and body to communicate with other squirrels, and squirrels play pre-recorded noise from the built-in speaker. The goal is to study how the animals communicate, it looks like a good rock - the local squirrels, seem to respond to him, just like any other. This is a very impressive to build, operate and transfer (or very weak, squirrels, depending on your point of view), but we are only waiting for partan and her team found an alarming fact: squirrels They are really learning.

Robots to swarm English village in huge contest (article)

2008-05-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

A village in England, the host, a robot cache to cache exercise next month, when 11 teams from the private companies and universities in the competition for "sniffer" elite shooters, bombs on the roadside, and other dangers by all Real-time images to a job in the command structure.

The Grand Challenge MOD, as it is called, is like the British Ministry of Defence with his counterparts from the United States DARPA challenges, with the exception of its robot soldiers, who are in competition, one against the other robots instead of cars.

The goal is to promote the development of small teams of robots capable of screening and to warn the troops in potentially dangerous surprises on the battlefield urban development. The robots must autonomously negotiate complex, an unknown terrain, and the space required to locate urban threats. The resulting points are depending on the number of threats discovered in an hour. The points will be lost if a team has on the remote control to its intention robot at any time.

A team Stellar Consortium, uses two drones with thermal, visual and radar sensors to monitor the village. The data are then used a small robot on the grounds.

The Swarm Systems Team covering eight batteries, GPS guidance, Frisbee-size, propeller-engine air vehicles (MAVs) called "Owl". These robots in the air and steady flight of birds, like the arrows at the same time communicate with another and a base station with Wi-Fi

The highest number of points team gets a shot at a lucrative contract MOD and a chance to see his system working in Afghanistan or in southern Iraq.

Robots news: BAE Systems working on Spider-bots

2008-05-02T03:45:00.000-07:00

You enjoy the small groups, the spider robot insectoids swarmed all over your house, car, or who » If you answered "Yes," you are going to love what BAE Systems is cooking. The company recently received the injection of 38 million U.S. dollars from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, to fund micro-autonomous systems and technology (mast) consortium, a group of scientists and researchers insists on the development of "autonomy, multi-functional small gathering of intelligence Collection of the robot can operate, can not enter or the risk to humans. " Of course, this note (and the accompanying photos directly from PUI) does not give you the impression that no matter who came up with this really like the minority report, but will not make you feel safe at night do not know swarm of metal Spiders are looking for you to do » No » Ah, strange.

New killer bots by Disney and WowWee team

2008-04-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

You need some irony and the anxiety - battered the diet, this morning? » Expansion to try some of this. Disney and Pixar are set to release their latest animation heavy bomb, wall-E, this summer. Under the premise, the film finds that the wall-E (waste load allocation of take-off and landing - the earth level) clean the earth's trash, rampant, without the consumer to check the planet uninhabitable. Therefore, how to promote their film? » Do you understand it, they launched a new line, the plastic wall of the E-type robot development partnerships, and wowwee and thinkway toys, which no child may Huobuxiaqu. The final wall to the list of 190 U.S. dollars, launched this summer and 10 motor function, remote control, and a large number of sensors to avoid obstacles and respond to touch, feel the ironic mockery of its own existence. BOT basis, will be joined by 25 yuan idance wall - e (I think on the species) and 40 yuan flytech Tingkebeier when they make their first time on May 29 in San Mateo in the manufacturers faire.

New Israel's Guardium Warbots [video]

2008-04-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

We have seen a couple of armed defense roaming, so that the scene now - the U.S. military or even a couple deployed in Iraq - but the promotional video for the 600,000 U.S. dollars gu ardium robots has recently commissioned by Israel is not entirely A terrible demonstration of the strength of roots. Not only to do so, so that the old school, CRT display offers a warning intruders, noncompliant, all of the BOT, it seems that we can do is sneeze out white smoke cloud. Awesome. Perhaps these things to play better defense contractor in the Convention, but some tell us that a real angry dog may be a little more effective. Check the video below.

Modular, shape-shifting robots get right back up to creep you out (video)

2008-04-30T01:49:00.000-07:00

We have seen a number of modular, has been re-robot, but it does not 'in any less disturbing, especially when we see them do their thing on video. You can see for themselves after the break, this latest batch of robots from the University of Pennsylvania seems to be sufficient capacity, and in addition they can be kicked out of the way and find their own re-assembled, although a bit slow. That's done with the assistance of the cameras, aimed at a unique Blinkin 'lights another robot, it can dock with the use of some magnets, and then started to search for other BOT are again, finally forming a little unstable walking machine (Please be sure to adhere to and video 'to the end of the year).

Unbelievable, Festo AirJelly flies through the air with the greatest of ease (video)

2008-04-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

We have to explain this matter, but we really have problems to consider our immediate take-off, it long enough to string together a number of fully serve their sentences. Festo illustrates the AirJelly by some magical properties of the jelly fish, a lithium-ion batteries, an electric motor and a helium. If this is not floaty enough, you also have water version, aquajelly. Videos are, for a rest.

Robots and fruit fly flight simulator...

2008-04-28T01:35:00.000-07:00

Just do not know how, we are only prepared to ordinary people, or even to give the robot wise enough to completely beyond our society? » Strange, some of the brain power may come from learning approach, the fruit fly, ah, to fly. A completely strange flight simulator in the Caltech, in fact, play "the scene:" Fly the reaction, and taking into account the fruit fly is held constant, researchers can work closely together to study how insects to stay away from trying to line out The bubble and all manner of incoming obstacles. These work and the installation shows that these studies may one day help the robot function more independently, may take some load off of our human labor. We know that you have three bold letters and a question mark, running through your noggin right now - as long as the press read link to see what it's all about.

Homemade security 'bum bot' turns up on the Colbert Report (video)

2008-04-28T01:28:00.000-07:00

Oh bum bot. We remember that when you hand in the fresh creators rufus terrill. Now look at you - Featured on c olbert report. You may have seen the photo, this Rangers - to deter robot before, but you did not live to see you play hard, in-depth reports that Stephen colbert provide it. Take a look at the video after the break to see a defender of America (and bot) on the front lines of battle.

Japan's oldest robot writes poetry and moving his person (video)

2008-04-25T03:05:00.000-07:00

Japan's oldest "modern" robot with 10 feet, 6 inches g akutensoku-have been awakened in Japan. Gone are the inflatable rubber of the original 1928 Android company established by biologists-Nishimura. Use of BOT, now tilted, its head, moves his eyes and a smile, and puffs his cheeks thank the 1.2 million U.S. dollars, computer-controlled, pneumatic servo outlook. But not compared to his modern descendants, gakutensoku we can still creep the hell. Renovation of Osaka on display at the Science Museum, July 18. After the video, rest a while.

Giant Lunar Robots could carry NASA lunar bases on their backs

2008-04-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

NASA engineers are testing a giant, six foot robot may rebound, and made the future moon base thousands of kilometres entire surface of the moon, the astronauts to explore the area around far more than just landing site.

In 2005 the report on its exploration plan, NASA said that they hope to set up a base in fixed locations on the Moon, human beings are the first elections in 2020.

However, the huge robot vehicle called the athletes (all-terrain hex legs in extra-curricular ground Explorer) will probably change. Measuring about 7.5 metres wide, with more than 600 meters long legs, the robot can take action, basically like a turtle, carrying astronauts around the living quarters on its back.

This is the design engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, United States, are also testing two small-scale prototype robot.

15 tons of astronauts living quarters, or habitat, can be installed in the athletes before, sent to the moon, the moon landing. This will solve a major problem for NASA - how to enhance the Habitat well-off landing, the cargo area, can sit down to six meters above the ground, and set it in an ideal position.

Athletes of the wheels of a nuclear warhead so long legs, "This is just the right measures to take off, and payload anywhere you want, said:" Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Brian Wilcox of the persons in charge of athletes项

Honda's ASIMO robot to conduct Yo-Yo Ma and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

2008-04-24T02:40:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite robot, Honda's versatile ASIMO, will be the final spread its wings and embrace the art of the future, it's always hope. May 13, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra will be conducted automatically - and Yo-Yo Ma - in a performance impossible dream. The digital oscilloscope and Honda have been the joint forces so that the music education of children in Detroit, ASIMO, the concert will be launching a number of projects, Japan Monolith company will co-sponsor, in the industrial city. Of course, this is not the first time, we see a robot orchestra, but we are confident that this will be the best ... provided by little, did not take any bad steps.

Japanese robots with lasers at Blaser tournament (video)

2008-04-24T02:32:00.000-07:00

We know that at Japan all people loves robots, but it really carefully so that they have their frigging laser beam » Why not just on the one hand, they mapped to our vital organs and special hose, fruit juice, our baby? » You see an actual photo from the Blazer game held this week in Fukuoka City, Japan. Kondo competition with the khr - 1hv with lasers and sensors, and then let the team out of the fighting, in a simulated city. We are the real decision-makers of our own doom.

Robotic soccer players would play with real humans in 2050

2008-04-24T02:28:00.000-07:00

As for the people on earth if we do not have enough worries, with more than robots from every corner of the globe, may install a silent offensive, beyond our community and ownership of our land, and now we are faced with a startling realization, even if Our sporting events are not safe from subterfuge. In the seventh annual RoboCup in the German Open, groups of teams to decline after the soccer field, in order to compete in robot soccer only, uh, football. Frankly, everything seems fine and Dundee, until we reached a quote from the one Stefan kohlbrecher, Darmstadt Technical University of Darmstadt dribblers team: "Our goal is a robot competition in the human world Champion and robots, to 2050. " Interestingly, we should be fornicating with the androids from the same year. Michael Stipe clues, please.

Fluidhand emerges, i-LIMB hides in shames

2008-04-23T04:05:00.000-07:00

Following the introduction of the world to beat, i-MEMBER prostheses from last year, Touch Bionics takes things in a different direction with a sense of competition "Fluid hand." The new miniature hydraulic hand used to bend the fingers, and can better interact with objects - such as grasping things with irregular surfaces - that the five motor-i-Limb. Fludihand is also a natural that the current prostheses, to comment and stem the user can sense the power of hand. Fluid hand is currently only at the stage of the prototype, with a patient that day to test the two prostheses, one against the other in a battle in the death.

Updated: Sorry for the confusion, fluid hand by a certain researchers in Karlsruhe, Germany, not by touching bionics.

Pixel Pancho ceramic robots

2008-04-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

When you think of robots, you think generally male wood metal. Not these guys. These funky little 'bots are made from clay instead of steel.

Pixel Pancho ceramic robots

Created by Italian artist Enrico Street Bertorelli - better known as Pancho Pixel - to boot I series is a limited edition ceramic art is a piece largest robot junkie's collection. Only 29 each of yellow and green robots have been made, so they become a real collector's item if you manage to get their hands on one.

Urinal Elephants invade Japan (watch video)

2008-04-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hah!!! Best hidden nuts and urinal cake, 'cause baby blue elephant herd with small yellow hats on the loose in Japan. Meet urinal elephants, otherwise known as the toilet cleaning robot dasubee. Back to 'uh to a new outflow of ceramic throne Now Big Blue and the eradication of your artificial hodgepodge robot with the grace of an elephant logging. Video? You betcha, right after the short break.

Aeryon Scout Camera - Robot Overhead and Follows You

2008-04-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

We saw this a few days ago, but passed on it because we were confident that we had seen before - here. But despite the similarities in appearance, there is a big difference: "Aeryon Scout" is an aircraft, not just a remote-controlled toy.

A Scout is made of four foam rings connected by a rotor in the center, according Inventor Spot. The camera is attached to the bottom so you can take aerial satellite as a miniature - or at least with a greater range and control as a rocket or mini-chopper cams.

But for an estimated $ 30000 $ 50000 price range, it is probably a bit higher than the average of your harasser can afford. Unless, of course, the paparazzi and celebrity babies are involved.

Wow, life-saving Robot uBOT-5 helps People as a Doctor

2008-04-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

It could insist uBOT-5 of the ability to detect when a person has not been, check their vital signs, and 911 - but, seriously, is there anything that we can possibly add to this photo?

Researchers develop robotic tweezers that can grasp single cells

2008-04-18T07:13:00.000-07:00

Normally, when we talk about the power of the robot gripper, it is associated with the slowly crushed to death when a violent uprising of the robots, but it now seems that we are afraid our bodies away, Flown, so cell by cell. This is the terrible reality of his life, at the University of Toronto, where the researchers by Sun Yu and his team have in the semi-autonomous robot-tweezers, can affect microscopic sense and the power grip strength enough sharpness to take and move Cells in the heart of the various trials, without the taint. The tiny construction is just .1 inch in length, and the pincers at the ends so small that collect cell only 10 microns wide. So far, they organize the cells were during the tests, but finally Yu said that they can be used to secure the assembly of parts of silicon on maps of circuits, or even tissue engineering. Not a word about the time when this for the production to beat, but if they do Yu said that he hoped that this will cost only $ 10 each. At least the Revolution will be cheap, we appreciate.

Robot creates 3D map of silver mine by Laser Scanning

2008-04-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

Apparently Mexico is the place to be if you are using a laser-robot with 3D Digitizing on the brain. Only 11 months after the underwater robotics DepthX assigned to El Zacatón cénote, 3D-R1 was able to collect more than 5 GB card data to 3.5 days, which was then for the creation of a "complete 3D - The mining underground mining." The mine is in the issue of the San Jose silver mine in Mexico, and in the allocation of robots scooted over approximately 2.2 km subway readers and ramps to carry out scans over 240th There is no word if the mechanical creature is on the map for all the other corners of the world, but in view of the accuracy, in this through the design, we do not expect all such holidays.

"Largest national" robotics exhibition plans to open in Pittsburgh museum

2008-04-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

Heads-up Pittsburgh residents and robot enthusiasts about the universe: a new exhibition is for the next Steel City next year, and it has high, high hopes. The $ 3.4 million display, it is envisaged that as a "permanent", is located in the Carnegie Science Center, and go through the not-at-all-enigmatic title "roboworld." The installation is expected to house a variety of mechanical devices, and given the fact that it is billed as the "largest and most comprehensive nationwide on robotics," we would say that there is still a lot to live up to. Naturally, we are quite shocked when they are compared to the now closed Robot Museum in Nagoya, Japan, but we assume that we have for ourselves to see if the doors open affair in the spring of 2009.

Sega Toys feat ZMP team up for Miuro-like Music Robot ODO

2008-04-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

ZMP examination miuro may have done the overall music player, and rolling robot thing, even before Sony's rolly stole the spotlight, but it has minor shortcomings, costing nearly 1,000 yuan. The company now looks to change this situation, however, and its joining hands with the release of Sega Toys slightly scaled-down back, but a cheaper version of the iPod dock, now known as Music robot Fukuoka hotel. Among other things, this decline in the built-in WiFi and camera miuro, although it does pit, said that liquid crystal displays in Fukuoka hotel "feeling" because of its dance, and you do a remote control, in order to maintain straying too far from. No word on the release of 'round these parts, of course, but these can be stopped in Japan, one, it is not unreasonable costs 15,540 yen, or about 150 yuan.

Preparations for the 22-ft. 'Styrobot' Invades Robot Exhibit (video)

2008-04-16T01:32:00.000-07:00

How do you do with the legacy of styrofoam, from your parents? We usually keep it until the office was filled with about injury and / or start screaming. Artist Michael Salter is undoubtedly find a better use.

Automatic machine as a theme for the exhibition in San Jose Museum of Art, Salter has built a 22-foot-high robot made of the annoying packaging materials. Video Professor above Difangzhi Salter and his team for the assembly behemoth on display.

Salter described his work "in an attempt to slow down tropical circulation informationi infinite reflections and significance of narrative, cognition and thinking."

Armed robots still not be withdrawn from Iraq after all

2008-04-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

As has been the case before, it seems that reports of armed robots gone mad have been slightly exaggerated. This latest instance concerns the SWORDS robots made by Foster-Miller and currently deployed in Iraq, which were reportedly pulled from duty after some "control issues "that supposedly involved the bot's gun swinging around when it wasn't supposed to. Now according to Danger Room, however, that is apparently not the case after all, with the very same Army manager quoted in the original Popular Mechanics article telling the site that, "SWORD is still deployed," and that "we continue to learn from it and will continue to expand the use of armed robots." A Foster-Miller spokesperson further adds that, "the whole thing is an urban legend," and that the only instances of uncommanded movements happened prior to the robot's safety certification of 2006, each of which prompted further safety measures that are now in place on the robot.

Updated: Popular Mechanics has posted a further explanation and clarification of this whole situation, including word that while the robots haven't officially been pulled from Iraq, they apparently aren't exactly seeing any action either.

Little Robot in Big Man: robot inside a robot (video)

2008-04-15T01:42:00.000-07:00

What did the big robot to say, the little robot? "Take Me belly!" At least, that is how this amazing robot works. Larger-than-life wood and metal robot has a tiny robot inside her intestine, and it looks like he is the real brains of the operation.

Little Big Man robot by 2008 Nemo Gould

Little Big Man 2008 is the offspring of mechanical sculptor Nemo Gould was known for his incredible kinetic creations constructed from post-consumer junk.

The eponymous "Big Man" is a height of 8 feet robots made from found objects including a vintage radio cabinet, street lamp poles, vacuum cleaner parts, industrial food processing, wood, the chair legs, dining-room table, floor polisher, and a variety of scrap metal, engines and other parts.

The "Little Man" is in the belly of the beast, working at the controls of his unwitting host. As it takes its levers, giant mouth opens and closes with a huge bite. Discover the video clip below to see the robot sculpture in motion.

Nemo has compiled a brief video showing some of the backstage action as it built its amazing mechanical creations.

New 2009 Sarcos XOS exoskeleton presented

2008-04-13T04:21:00.000-07:00

We sold (slightly terrified) sarcos also XO exoskeletons, from the time we first saw it flaunt their superhuman ability to film in the end of last year, but if you can not get enough of it, you sure will be properly would play an increasingly reliable scientific popularization, it is now completely blown out things and integrity of the story behind the suit and completion of a number of significant new photos. If this were not enough, it also includes some sidelights repertoire some sarcos' future plans, including word that the Army plans have begun field tests on the XO, in 2009, and that the company intends to launch new research projects this summer The task is the development of a new generator, the lawsuit will be able to drive ", in a time." Of course, there are many more in the six characteristics, we are unable to conclude that here, so we hit the link below full story.

HPI's G-Dog will hunt (watch Video)

2008-04-13T04:14:00.000-07:00

Released last week, we now have the first pictures of HPI's G-Dog courtesy of the G-7 impressed. Heifer will certainly not be the incarnation is lovely, and here, all the cyberdog bite surprisingly quick and agile on the table trying to be slick. In this way, our plans to slather Earth linoleum seen enough after the suppression of the intifada. Mum, you iiiiiiii pages per hour! By clicking on the action, at the same time, you can.

Army brings armed robots home from Iraq

2008-04-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

Although other countries have deployed gun start, the robot, there is no shortage of companies trying to develop weapons robot, for Uncle Sam, it looks like the first test the actual killer robot fighting has ended in a whimper: military hawk Claw sword gunbots, head of the household returned home, as envisaged that the incidence of control issues. Is ah, ah - control issues. It is obviously too difficult, in order to prevent the army guns equipped robot from moving their guns "when it does not intend to move." Reassuring, is it? The armed forces do not sound too full of enthusiasm to another, he said: "Once you have done something truly bad, it can take 10 or 20 years to try to again." Ukraine. On the plus side, at least in the past 20 years or so ago, we have to work in factories and mines, is not it?

Robots filling jobs en masse in Japan

2008-04-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

We have in the think tanks to formulate some provisions quite unbelievable, but the machine industry Memorial Foundation is not too far removed from his last evaluation. This is an indication that the jobs for 3.5 million people in Japan are not closed with the young people, but with the mechanical creatures in the year 2025. Currently, the population in Japan is falling, and the proportion of people over 65 years of age and not more permanent dent; analysts reiterated that the nation savings of about 2.1 trillion yen ($ 21 billion) in contributions to the security of people until 2025, when they embarked on a robot (instead of Man) for monitoring the health of all in geriatrics. Of course, Japan has been the creation of robots around our dirty work for years, so it is not as if the idea to be guided by the men robotics is a perfect stranger, there, or what Whether it.

Japan Robot Paro revaled in USA

2008-04-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

There is already a star in Japan, and now it seems that the therapeutic Paro robot is to do its beginnings in the US finally. That officially to the Robo Business Conference & Expo in Pittsburgh this week, after which the bots are "shortly" of $ 5000 per directly from a new joint venture, in Japan Intelligent System Co. and Walter Weisel, a former head The Robotic Industries Association of the USA. What happened in Japan, it seems, especially for companies with health care, but we can feel that at least some of them find the way into the hands of a few individuals, more so playful.

Wow, Robot Elvis, star continues to sing the blues (video)

2008-04-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Elvinator - the project is only one of many attempts by the king as a robot, but is based on the screen, after the jump, we are really the question of whether it is not Elvis reincarnated. What can we pick up, the idea was to create a masterly sculptural rendition of Big El sung and spoken with simple mortals, but there is something absurd creepy see it implemented without a face. Oh, and Mr. Presley - your lip syncing could use some serious work.

Cornell Ranger: New unofficial record on distance walking for a robot !!!

2008-04-08T08:08:00.001-07:00

Do you have the pace of Cornell's Ranger robot? The last week, the robot walkers an unofficial record trotting race in the world without a stop for 45 laps (5.6 miles, for the census) to the university Barton Hall racetrack. After reaching that mark, the creature probably declined during the exhaustion of the battery, but the creative team in order to know exactly the reason, it is finally collapsed. Although Guinness officials were not involved, as too rigmarole, the team has not proud of bad - finally, by an earlier version of the creature unaware 0.62 miles off the Tell a day. In addition to collecting law, to boast, the team hopes to use rangers to better understand the mechanics of walking ", which could be used to the procedures for the rehabilitation or the sporting performance.

Wow, Robot Car Competitions

2008-04-07T01:23:00.000-07:00

The organizer of an upcoming "Robotic Grand Prix in Long Beach, California, withdrew its title event after representatives of Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University robotics teams have challenged the way the event has been brought to market. Monday, the Toyota Grand Prix issued a press release that says autonomous cars Stanford, CMU, and Lehigh University - finishers of last year's DARPA Grand Challenge Urban - would race against each other once more later this month.

Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, said in an interview Tuesday that the group will now probably call this event a "robot challenge" to reflect the fact that all three race cars will not . On the contrary, they will demonstrate their technology through a turn on the runway of Long Beach on April 20. The tower will not be judged, "he says.

"We are the guys racing here. But "race" was an exaggeration. It really is a 'challenge' - and an opportunity to showcase this technology to a broad audience of 170000 people, "said Michaelian.

Yet the misrepresentation highlights the possibility of a future race robotics among them. When asked whether the group would host a Grand Prix of robotics (a race), Michaelian, said: "This is the first step and we will see where it goes from here."

A rematch would probably be a great event, considering the rivalry between the two main contenders - CMU and Stanford - and the stakes of the latest robotics competitions. Last year, the CMU "Boss", an autonomous body Chevy Tahoe, won $ 2 million Urban Grand Challenge, the excess of 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge winner, Stanford. Stanford's "Junior", a robot Volkswagen Passat, took $ 1 million in the second place in the contest of last year, which tested how autonomous vehicles could lead among other cars while obeying traffic laws.

During the City Challenge, the cars maintained a controlled speed, but they were judged by the speed with which they finished the course and stuck to the rules of the road. The involvement of a race at the Grand Prix of Toyota is that the robotic vehicles will be measured by the speed at which they could complete a tour of the runway.

Sebastian Thrun, leader of the race team at Stanford, said that any race would be premature because the technology is simply not there yet. "We did not intend to turn this into a race. The goal is not to go faster than 30 mph and the race cars go faster than 150 mph. Technology is clearly not ready for those speeds. "

During the demonstration, on April 20, the robot cars - Boss, Junior, and "Ben" - maintain a speed of about 30 mph. Ben is a self-drive Toyota Prius at the University of Pennsylvania and Lehigh University.

Chris Urmson, director of technology for CMU's Tartan Racing, said his understanding of the event was that it would be a parade around to show technology. And even if this is not a race, he said he hoped that there will be more opportunities for competition in the future.

"A race has many implications of someone winning and losing," Urmson said. "We want to show the technology, but we are not trying to compete with these people at this point."

Robot - Soccer Compete For The Football Title

2008-04-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

Robot Soccer is a demanding high-tech competition for the universities, research institutes and industry. Several major tournaments are scheduled for 2008, of which the most important is the "RoboCup German Open." April 21-25, over 80 research teams from more than 15 countries are expected to sign up for the Hanover Fair. In a series of football games in several leagues, set them on the latest technologies.For a machine, a football game is a very complex undertaking. The robot must be able to recognize the ball reliably, the scenes and the goal posts continue to make a distinction between their teammates and opponents. To that end, they are equipped with all kinds of high-tech equipment: cameras and sensors scan robots' environment, the processors of the conversion of data to the tactics of the game and the defence of strategies, and innovative engines enable the automation of players for the sprint and in the field unexpectedly fake their opponents.

There are now nine leagues, each with its own technology. The League of medium-sized robots move on the wheels. Four players and one goalkeeper per team competition on a 20 x 14 meter height with the objectives of football. They must be able to work in complete independence, and are equipped with TCS internal process the information in real time. In addition, the robot up to two metres per second.

Other automated football player, as Sony's Aibo robot dog, walk on four paws engineering. And on two legs were robots compete against each other with the RoboCup since 2005. "Humanoid Robot They have come a long way in recent years," says Dr. Ansgar Bredenfeld, dealing with the RoboCup in the IAIS. "Just like the real players, they fall and get up again to go after the ball as independent and gates."

The RoboCup is more than just a soccer tournament. Since 2006, there has been a "RoboCup (at) Home 'category, a competition for service robots. In a room to reproduce, the robots have access to refrigerators, to collect the waste and to recognize the people. And in the" RoboCup Rescue 'class, the robots must rescue the obstacle course.

"RoboCup promotes technological development in a manner that is not otherwise possible," said Professor Stefan Wrobel, director of the AICA. "Many elements, which were originally designed for robot soccer have since found their way into other applications, for example in the localization technology for the control of robots." Robots, the turf on his own initiative or for the collection of samples from the depths of the ocean for the seamen are also researchers at the RoboCup technology.

Participants under the age of 20 have their own competition "RoboCup Junior," which at the same time that the "RoboCup Senior 'tournament. Addition to the struggle in a robot-soccer tournament, the future generation of scientists, will compete in the Robo Dance ( robot dance) and RoboRescue (obstacle course) in the competitions. These events are very popular, almost 300 teams in this year for the competition. for participation in Hanover, the teams have a permissible The three tournaments. "Germany has a big problem: It lacks the tens of thousands of engineers, "Wrobel." RoboCup Junior is a very important event, because it is the interest of young people for technical course. "

The tournament is organized and conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Analysis and Intelligent Information Systems IAIS in St. Augustine.

MIT's Nexi robots wants to be your friend

2008-04-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

Article about MIT robots
MIT is really taking robotics program on an entirely different level with the "MDS" platform, which means Mobile, Dexterous and Social Committee. The lighthouse has been Nexi Bot, on the bill, but with an extra dab of creepy. The Bot is on a Segway-esque wheelbase, articulated arms and hands, and a wide spectrum of feelings with white doughy face. Nexi has an onboard computer to manage the sensors and instinctive reactions, as he discharge heavy work of Amnesty International is one of a stationary computer on the network. MIT's goal is to Nexi and others participate in socially is Robot Learning - observation and interaction with the people, to determine how best with them. Nexi Do not worry, we love you, around you. The video is named after the break.

New Japan Robot HPI's G-Dog sniffs out your human wreckage

2008-04-02T05:27:00.000-07:00

Article about new Japan Robot G-Dog ( robots news)
HPI Japan just conjured up GR-001's new best friend: the G-Dog. DIY This is a four-legged robot jugulars and a taste of what appears to be a sword, 5.3 inches tall tail and stand alone features the same two-legged His buddy sensor and the control unit. Perhaps the only dog to respond to the advanced Street - wize Greetings "Wow whut up?" And " 'National Assembly Speaker dawg?" He was in all respects one's territory to lubricate (aka, Your carpet). Dogs are expected to be developed, sometime around July terrorize Japan thousand dollars. Behind the front, after the break.

Robot Pleo finally learns how to sit with Life OS 1.1

2008-04-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

Article about new Robot Pleo with OS 1.1 ( robot news )
Although Pleo just upgrade to v1.0.2 beginning of this month, taking the UGOBE Life on OS 1.1, and a laundry list of features to boot. Originally developed for the installation of only through an SD card (download via USB hit it within a few weeks), the update allows your favorite dino five to sit, sing a variety of melodies, calling attention, sick (cough / sneezing), and change settings on the basis of how much attention it gets. As these things always go, there is also the promise of a few unannounced inclusions ( "strange habits", as it were), and it should be noted that the previous downloads - Holidays, Love impressed MySkit, Yapt, etc . - Should finally back in the new versions can be downloaded with the life OS 1.1 update. Give the link to read some attention to the changes and start the download, while over there.

New Sony Rolly music player with the changing body color

2008-03-31T01:44:00.000-07:00

Article about new Sony music player Rolly (sell this player)
Sony turned out that only Rolly music player in black. A surprise blown by the FCC only last week. At least we can ask, in the colorful end caps at a price of ¥ 1500 (about 15 dollars) each. Of course, if you scoffed the original Rolly, then the 19th April, the new Japanese release ¥ 40,000 (about $ 400) Dance speaker Bot will probably not tug at your emotions pawnshopped either.

Movie Gadget Friday: 2010: The Year We Make Contact

2008-03-31T01:25:00.000-07:00

Article about system HAL 9000 and SAL 9000
Designed as a machine artificial emotional intelligence, the HAL 9000 SAL 9000 and require human interaction to improve performance. Represented by a camera eye blue and female voice, SAL 9000 served as a guide to monitor possible reactions from the previously disabled HAL 9000. Both machines include a keyboard and audio input to communicate with intelligent life carbon-based (read: us). The HAL 9000 is adept at facial, vocal, and the recognition of the vital signs and makes decisions based on a full understanding of logic. HAL has many responsibilities while acting as the brain and central nervous system Discovery 1. Although HAL appears to be programmed to protect the crew, there are obvious shortcomings and inherent in its programming logic, which - spoiler alert - to commit homicide to solve orders. More after the jump.

Robots fight at ROBO-ONE 13 competition in Japan (photo)

2008-03-28T02:45:00.000-07:00

The always crowded ROBO-ONE competition in Japan has been hotter than ever this year with bi-ped robots attack and the other branch tearing branch. Okay, it may be somewhat of a stretch, but you can be assured of serious throw downs, um, has decreased. Interestingly, we heard that the i-SOBOT competition was also included (quarrels, anyone?), And that the family's King Maru Kizer won gold. It's all good, fine and good, but we know what you look - take a (long) look at the hundreds of photos waiting in the reading link below.

Wow, hovering drone could report for work at Miami-Dade police station

2008-03-28T02:41:00.000-07:00

We have not even afraid when we heard that floating drones Big Brother was on the way to work in Britain, but somehow the guys have managed to migrate to America's east coast. Admittedly, the pilotless drones - hand work with good intentions of Honeywell - are scheduled to report in the Miami-Dade police are not exactly the same, but they are to be expected for similar tasks. More specifically, they resolved to monitor "urban areas with an eye towards full employment and the fight against crime." According to a spokesman for the department, the only fuzz look out in the "tactical situations as an extra set of eyes," but do not be shocked to see flashing lights from a vehicle without wheels next time you are rolling (a To little) fast to South Beach.

Meet Robot ApriPoko, Toshiba's channel surfing helper-bot

2008-03-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

Finally, a robot that "receives". Researchers at Toshiba in Japan have created a talking bot that can be used as a voice-activated universal remote control in addition to the formulation of pitches closes on human beings. The 5-pound, 11-inch-tall android is called ApriPoko, and the ability to learn to watch electronic control her and ask questions about his behavior. When you use an infrared device, the robot senses signal and ask the user "What did you just do?" If you say something like "I turned on the TV", undertake the command to the memory, and you can carry out these functions by voice. Apparently, the little boy is still in R & D, but there are plans to turn this technology into a consumer device - one which the company swears not to kill in your sleep.

Robot babysitter to care for children when you are not near

2008-03-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

Unmenschliche babysitters are not all that uncommon in the whole world, but a new creature, recently in a Japanese department store is a stroke of luck for shopaholics with rugrats in tow. Developed by Tmsuk, 1.4 metres tall bot is employed by a dealer in Fukuoka to discuss wild youths, the revised deducted from their parents. Reportedly said critter has an integrated camera and projector, a colorful yellow and white outfit, and the ability to identify by name children based on a particular day, that every kiddo carries while playing. Obviously, the manufacturer is not only looking for one or two slide them into each business in Japan - oh no, it is hoping to create similar robots that might one day "-customers through the course of a business," fill their carts whisper or the joke of the day in a French accent in their ears.

NASA won't dampen exploratory spirit of Mars rovers

2008-03-26T03:18:00.000-07:00

Back in November, we knew it was not looking at the two Mars rovers, but it seems that both Spirit and capabilities will continue to make them thangs after letter foreshadowing their doom was lifted. It is reported that education was mandated slash 4 million U.S. USA, from the draft budget only yesterday, which would have forced the Spirit of sleep, and limited opportunities for possible mandates that teams will be sent every day (compared with a daily now). As it stands, NASA released confirmation that neither the substance will be affected, but given the apparent belt-tightening we, as a curious whether the Scarecrow would still see the liftoff next year.

Source: NASA

Macroswiss building battlefield-ready SpyRobot 6x6

2008-03-24T04:01:00.000-07:00

Granted, Macro Swiss' 4RM Spybot is capable of managing the most war can toss, but because these things together, big is never good enough. Reportedly, says cladding is currently working with the US Army quickly equipping of the armed forces, a 6x6 SpyRobot with the ability to carry four times its own weight and fit in a backpack. This critter is "a new tool for the detection, recognition and identification of targets at a distance", and, of course, it will be packed to bursting with sensors for all varieties. As a rule, no word on the date on which the final version is ready to beat the sand in motion, word, but on the street, it was only in a number of versions are currently being stroked.

Researchers add eye control to Da Vinci surgical robot

2008-03-24T03:59:00.000-07:00

Eye-driven interfaces are far from revolutionary, but with one of the world's most famous robotic surgeon's ability to interpret eye movements is very probably a giant leap forward in the pursuit of less invasive surgery. According to reports, British researchers have the new software in the Da Vinci robosurgeon to human surgeons to sit at a console viewing direction of the movement of the robot mechanical arms into the body of the patient. " In addition, the program tracks eye movements and "build a 3D map of the area of tissue the surgeon is looking," and it seems as if the developments could be used on a variety of other ER-robots. Just make sure that your doctor chugs a couple of Red Bulls before you - do not want their eyes wander aimlessly, would we now?

Wow, Robot drummer plays solos and goes solo

2008-03-24T03:55:00.000-07:00

Finally you can give your drummer his walking papers. Let us be honest, he was the weak link of the band, right? From now on, all your percussion duties can be carried out by this ingenious bot, whose sole task and artificial-life is approximately roll, to find objects bang, and create some funky 'loop. Fundamentally, the Yellow Drum Machine uses two microphones / sound sensors on its "head" to search for areas suitable for rocking, then uses two sticks to play a beat, records, and accompany playback. The end result is a surprisingly human - and wiggle-inducing - pace. Check the video after the break to see how this robot gets nasty.

Sony's Rolly robot tumbles into FCC

2008-03-23T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well, after watching this thing bust a movement of the video, we really are not as puzzled by what we have already done, but there was no denying that Sony Rolly is rather curious character. Nevertheless, the SEP-30BT (Japan opposes the SEP-10BT) has hurtled itself in the open arms of the FCC, Americans by ensuring that the time has almost arrived. There's nothing too shocking in the 70 (!) Manual, but if you can not wait for the critter to land in your area, click on the link below and read eat your heart.

SMD Ultra Trencher 1 can lay pipes and cables in the briny deep

2008-03-23T10:25:00.000-07:00

What's supposedly the largest deep-sea remote robot ever built roll-out this week: The Ultra SMD Trencher 1 (UT1), a 50 ton, 10 million pounds ($ 19.8m) ROV on the size of a small residence (25 , 5 x 25.5 x 18.3 foot). Capable sucking two megawatt power with the use of the "jet-Swords" digging deep sea pipelines up to a meter wide and 2.5 meters deep in the seabed (while operating at a depth of up to 1500m), which is UT1 clearly just in time. We hear the CIA are due anchored errant snip another three or four deep-Internet backbone cable, so that the UT1 has his work cut out for him.

Researchers claim robotic AI have developed on par with a puppy

2008-03-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

The robot uprising, it inches ever closer - researchers working on the EU-funded project COSPAL have developed a new robot they say AI is the most advanced of its kind ever created. Using both learning neural AI techniques and traditional rules-based Amnesty International as a control mechanism, the robot can be trained "as a child or a puppy," and has managed to figure out simple sorting on its own tasks. The next step is to try to integrate the system in a car that can adapt to unexpected driving conditions, but researchers in charge are not concerned by the creation of an army of KARRs set to mow us all down - according to the researcher Michael Felsberg, adult level AI based on it will probably not happen in our life. On the other hand, we heard machine we match by 2029 - there will be a debate to have fun when we are all hard in the robo-mines.

Climbing robot Capuchin: its way into your nightmares (video)

2008-03-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

As if this were not enough, creepy crawly robots there is already a team of researchers from Stanford University have now los this small number, which they hope will one day shows his climbing skills on Mars. Dubbed Capuchins, the bot is a follow-up to the Lemur robot built by the same team, and promises to climb walls about 40 times faster than the older ones. To achieve this, the researchers have apparently not a big mechanical changes, but employs an advanced computer program that carries the bot's every movement. More specifically, how NewScientist reported, the software uses a sophisticated load-balancing system, which the bot distributes the weight evenly on his arms and legs and improved stability when climbing. As you can see for themselves and the video after the break, which seems to work remarkably well, even if we still do not trust it as a partner for your next expedition climbing.

Researchers find folks prefer small talk robots

2008-03-21T06:07:00.000-07:00

Even if it's not exactly as much of a surprise, a team of researchers from ATR Laboratories in Kyoto, Japan have found that more people are robots to accept if they are a little small talk during the talks, as opposed to leaving disturbing silence that the people of their intentions unclear. The researchers have also found that the 38 respondents, the majority were willing to accept delays in the response of one or two seconds, but that they much prefer if the robot threw in a "good" or "he" to bridge the gap too close when he, not for them to answer. Of course, as we all know, just because a robot shoots the breeze with you does not mean it is your friend, you should be careful what you wish for.

Robot butterfly - Cyborg insects survive to adulthood

2008-03-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

Look at these cyborg insect and remember, that seemed a bit like a dream just two short years? Yeah, those frackin "things have somewhat survived to adulthood, and on the closure, and is ready to infiltrate the camps of the enemy and to extract vital information. According to a recent update on the project DARPA, insects - which have "changed the structure of the body and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) embedded within - lasted until adulthood, and now those who are behind the effort to enable the remote hope of Bugs via mechano-sensor activation "or something similar. In addition, scientists hope to harness the energy emitted at the locomotion Within really power MEMS. Of course, as long as these can be swatted with a newspaper, we are strong, but we are not too sure we dig into this could be headed.

Wow, COM-BAT robot swoops in to gather data on reconnaissance missions

2008-03-20T01:52:00.000-07:00

The University of Michigan COM-BAT is certainly not the first animal mechanics to get its inspiration from the bat, but it is probably best equipped to play a vital role in modern warfare. A select group of Wolverines lucky enough to have $ 10 million grant from the American army, in order to concoct a "six-inch robotic spy plane modeled after a bat would collect data from of sights, sounds and smells in urban areas and combat zones Transmitting information to a soldier in real time. "Présumément, the critter will eventually boast a bevy of sensors, microphones and sensors to collect nuclear radiation and toxic gases. Even more interesting, the creators are hoping to implement" Energy trapping, "which would allow the bat to stay levied on wind and solar energy as well as vibration and" other sources ". That is to be nocturnal, huh?

Robot crab prototype boasts Technics today ...

2008-03-20T01:49:00.000-07:00

It may look like something that from a basement hobby, but a post-graduate student at the University of Bath, says the robot crab in the picture above may one day change the way underwater exploration carried out. As with so many other robots, the performance is in no small part by imitating the behavior of an animal, in this case a crab, of course, is particularly well suited to travel both on land and under water. Of course it is only a Lego Technic prototype built in time so that the latter something lacking is a little bit, but the man behind the Bot said that a future model characterized by fully amphibious capabilities, along with a better stability under a variety of different conditions.

Dextre robot now fully assembled, ready for testing (NASA)

2008-03-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

It seems that the people on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour is not wasting any time Dextre Piecing together (or jamming on their iPods), as only a few days after we for the first time on this creature, the future in space, now we can hear, that he fully assembled and ready And rock music. The bot, which is formally known as the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator, with various tools, and all the cameras and is set to undergo a series of trials and tests before being asked to do key tasks. " Godspeed, young Dextre - hopefully have more success than Ted and gadget.

BigDog Robot - Unbelievable (video)

2008-03-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

The team of developers from Boston Dynamics continues to work on his BigDog - dog-robot, and there was all the more impressive result. In almost all revealed (and the robot can move on the ground, and snow and ice, go to the mountain and go down with it to climb obstacles to overcome them, and even jump), he moves very naturally and in his gait really is that something is alive. Indeed, the latest version of the robot is able to transport yourself to 150 kg, which is almost three times the load capacity of the previous version. In short, be sure to see the video (below) - it's worth it!

"Rascals" AI could pass Turing test, with a little help from Blue Gene

2008-03-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

Researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute believe they have a fairly intelligent AI, a successful avatar of the version of "Turing Test" - convince a man that he is the man when entertaining in a virtual environment such as Second Life. The bot is called "Rascals", which means, Advanced Synthetic Rensselaer Architecture for Living Systems. Of course, this first implementation requires a certain world-class juice, and the team with the IBM Blue Gene, the fastest supercomputer in the world, for the administration of KI in real time. The idea of Amnesty International about themselves and the other is to a degree of student guinea pigs, and they can even formulate thoughts on the faith of others and of their faith in the faith of others. Trippy, no? Rascals are in the pilot phase in October 2008.