tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16574058729337522152024-02-21T16:15:17.279-08:00My Robot'sAndri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.comBlogger980125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-81864020406580534342011-04-23T07:28:00.001-07:002011-08-08T15:52:47.577-07:00Grand Challenge Hijinks<p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.grandchallenge.org/gallery/Day6.html"><img alt="sandstorm crash" src="http://www.weblogsinc.com/common/images/5855386863117264.jpg?0.6010824436237502" align="right" border="1" height="149" hspace="4" vspace="4" width="250" /></a>Reading like a robotic comedy of errors, DARPA has produced a masterfully understated official summary of the performance of each of the teams participating in yesterday's Grand Challenge. Some highlights:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 22 - Red Team - At mile 7.4. Vehicle went off course, got caught on an obstacle and rubber on the front wheels caught fire, which was quickly extinguished. Vehicle has been disabled.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 21- SciAutonicsII - At mile 6.7. Vehicle went into an embankment and became stuck. Vehicle has been disabled, and the team is recovering it.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 5 - Team Caltech - At mile 1.3. Vehicle went through a fence, and couldn't come back through. Vehicle has been disabled, and the team is recovering it.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 7 - Digital Auto Drive - At mile 6.0. Vehicle was paused to allow a wrecker to get through, and, upon restarting, sensors were not able to determine the proper route. After sensors tried unsuccessfully for three hours, vehicle was disabled. </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 25 - Virginia Tech - Vehicle brakes locked up in the start area. Vehicle has been removed from the course.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 23 - Axion Racing - Vehicle circled the wrong way in the start area. Vehicle has been removed from the course.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 2 - Team CajunBot - Vehicle brushed a wall on its way out of the chute. Vehicle has been removed from the course.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 4 - Team CIMAR - At mile 0.45. Vehicle ran into some wire and got totally wrapped up in it. Vehicle has been disabled.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Vehicle 20 – Team TerraMax – Got to mile 1.2. Vehicle then started backing up and after .5 miles, the vehicle was disabled. </p> </blockquote> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">You can't make this stuff up!</p>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-13991628828863048612010-03-23T14:06:00.001-07:002010-03-23T14:06:36.008-07:00Robots Candy-05 Wants To Be The Next Tiger Woods<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/candy.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/candy.jpg" alt="" title="Candy-05 Wants To Be The Next Tiger Woods" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8273" width="500" height="608" /></a><br /></p><p>One of the prototypes from the last round of NEDO (New Energy & Industrial Technology Development Organization) funding is Candy-05, who seems to like Golf a whole lot. Looks like he has no problem getting the ball in the hole. </p> <p>Candy-05 is developed by Nirvana <a id="KonaLink2" target="undefined" class="kLink" style="text-decoration: underline ! important; position: static;" href="http://botropolis.com/page/11/#"><span style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; font-size: 14px; position: static;color:#95acc2;" ><span class="kLink" style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: relative; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(149, 172, 194); background-color: transparent;">Technology</span></span></a> (now the Hajime Research Institute) and stands about 120cm tall. He rolls around on wheels and has stereoscopic cameras which help it locate a golf ball, eye the hole, and putt. His goal in life is to be an entertainment robot for park areas, where golf is popular. Video after the break.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-57261662796392769602010-03-23T14:05:00.003-07:002010-03-23T14:05:56.814-07:00Asimo Brandishes Firearms<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/asimow.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/asimow.jpg" alt="" title="Asimo Brandishes Firearms" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8288" width="500" height="719" /></a><br /></p><p>A tipster sends us word of this image of impending doom. The translation on the page doesn’t help much, but it may just be an action figure. Dear god let it be just an action figure and not a full sized Asimo with guns! Anyway, apparently Asimo and and a female robot were putting on shows at the National Science Museum in Japan. And judging by that image it couldn’t have ended well.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-2930868376297582992010-03-23T14:05:00.001-07:002010-03-23T14:05:31.533-07:00PALRO Robot From Fuji Soft<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/palro.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/palro.jpg" alt="" title="PALRO Robot From Fuji Soft" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8292" width="500" height="448" /></a><br /></p><p>The PALRO robot from <a id="KonaLink1" target="undefined" class="kLink" style="text-decoration: underline ! important; position: static;" href="http://botropolis.com/page/11/#"><span style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: static;color:#95acc2;" ><span class="kLink" style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: relative;">Fuji</span></span></a> Soft merges Fuji Soft’s software capabilities with an open architecture that offers developers a whole lot of room to experiment. PALRO is just 15″ tall and lightweight at just 1.9kg. He’s expensive, but not as expensive as you might think at $3.300.</p> <p>PALRO has a built-in camera, microphones, speakers, an LED array with an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor running the show. Not bad. Vstone’s Robovie-PC costs $1,100 more, so PALRO seems like a good deal.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-84333568892469279592010-03-23T14:04:00.003-07:002010-03-23T14:04:59.619-07:00Evolving Robots Navigate A Maze, Prey On Each Other<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/robot-maze.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/robot-maze.jpg" alt="" title="Evolving Robots Navigate A Maze, Prey On Each Other" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8297" width="250" height="178" /></a><br /></p><p>It isn’t just us humans who have to worry about getting killed by robots. Other robots should worry too. We told you about this project <a href="http://botropolis.com/2009/08/evolving-robots-lie-to-each-other/">last year</a>, but it’s worth revisiting. Especially since several blogs think this is new news. Some boffins at the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems in the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale of Lausanne have been working on “evolving robots” for awhile now. Their latest breakthrough is the most astounding yet. And sort of terrifying.</p> <p>A group of robots programmed to use Darwinian selection in order to learn, evolve and mutate have successfully moved through a maze and helped each other in tasks like pushing tokens around in order to achieve a common goal.</p> <p>Thing is, some of the creatures displayed early signs of a predator-prey relationship. In short they are learning to deceive, lie and probably warming up to a kill. Video below.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-51611943900472343162010-03-23T14:04:00.001-07:002010-03-23T14:04:35.029-07:00Pneumatically Powered Robot Walks On 24 Oxygen-Tubing Legs<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/REzrYWOzhWc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed style="visibility: visible;" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/REzrYWOzhWc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />What has 24 legs and walks with the power of oxygen? This robot here. It’s a pneumatically powered walking robot with legs made of hospital oxygen tubing. It was built in 2005 and was controlled by a Mac Mini. The project took about 5 weekends and nabbed two first prizes (for best demo and best presentation) at Hackers’ <a id="KonaLink0" target="undefined" class="kLink" style="text-decoration: underline ! important; position: static;" href="http://botropolis.com/page/11/#"><span style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: static;color:#95acc2;" ><span class="kLink" style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: relative;">Conference</span></span></a> the same year. We just love to watch it walk, with the accompanying whirring sounds.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-3790087428991070972010-03-23T14:03:00.002-07:002010-03-23T14:04:10.730-07:00RP-7 Wi-Fi-Enabled Virtual Doctor<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/rp-7-robot_Q6oxt_54.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/rp-7-robot_Q6oxt_54.jpg" alt="" title="RP-7 Wi-Fi-Enabled Virtual Doctor" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8304" width="500" height="399" /></a><br /></p><p>The RP-7 robot admittedly looks pretty goofy with a doctor’s face that you just want to punch. Smug bastard. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t useful. In theory anyway. It has been functioning as an around-the-clock physician at the Ryder Trauma Center at the University of Miami/Jackson Medical Center in Florida. </p> <p>The bot stands about 5 feet tall and is Wi-Fi-enabled. It comes from InTouch Health and just likes to roam around the wards in the trauma center, letting the patients and staff communicate with the off-duty doctors wirelessly via the monitor. That’s where the goofy face comes in.</p> <p>The idea is that the robot will connect doctors to patients, allowing the two to converse even when the doctor is not on duty. It’s a great idea, but come on. Doctors never want to do squat on their off hours. Might as well paint a happy face on the monitor for all the good it will do.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-46064564299140684572010-03-23T14:03:00.001-07:002010-03-23T14:03:43.477-07:00Shinpo Can Play Rock-Paper-Scissors<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/shinpo.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/shinpo.jpg" alt="" title="shinpo" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8310" width="500" height="677" /></a><br />TMSUK teamed up with Waseda University to create a robot capable of walking without the bent knee approach. Shinpo is the result of this experiment. Basically it takes a step by lifting up its whole leg, while putting all its weight on the other foot, like humans do. In result, the pelvis is rotated. Obviously modeled after the design of the human body, the robot is 5″, 158lbs, 39 DOF, and the speed capacity of 1.8kph. That is one dense robot. </p> <p>Now displayed in Niigata Hall of Natural Science, Shinpo can take a rest. The exhibit also includes interactive touch screens, movies, and information stands to help the visitors understand Shinpo. If you want to know more about Shinpo, I’d advise you to take a trip to Japan.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-78343949130649787222010-03-23T14:02:00.000-07:002010-03-23T14:03:02.469-07:00Robots BigDog Is Off To War<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/bdd.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/bdd.jpg" alt="" title="BigDog Is Off To War" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8319" width="500" height="327" /></a><br /></p><p>If you don’t freak out at the sight of <a href="http://botropolis.com/tag/bigdog/">BigDog</a>, you are made of sterner stuff than I. Imagine how enemy soldiers will feel, seeing it walk toward them. And soon they will meet. </p> <p>Darpa has finally approved the contract for Boston Dynamics’ LS3 (Legged Squad Support System) for the US Marines. Like BigDog, it will travel autonomously for 20 miles without needing to refuel, carrying 400 pounds of equipment for the soldiers in its squad.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-83351165551008727802010-03-23T14:01:00.002-07:002010-03-23T14:02:21.624-07:00AIMEC Bot Now Has Legs<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/aimec.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/aimec.jpg" alt="" title="AIMEC Bot Now Has Legs" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8327" width="500" height="481" /></a><br /></p><p>When last we checked in with <a href="http://botropolis.com/2009/06/aimec3-bot-learning-karaoke-looking-awesome/">AIMEC</a> he was learning Karaoke and was just an upper torso. But now he’s gone and got himself a pair of legs. We already really liked the robot’s look, but with legs it becomes so much more, capable of delivering your Coke with a song and maybe one day using those legs to dance himself back to the kitchen.</p> <p>Follow AIMEC on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/AIMEC_Robot">here</a>.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-80698595699233364722010-03-23T14:01:00.001-07:002010-03-23T14:01:49.085-07:00Dyzplastic’s Android figures<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/dyzplastic.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/dyzplastic.jpg" alt="" title="Dyzplastic’s Android figures" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8331" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></p><p>Android is a great OS and it’s just a bonus that it has a cute robot mascot. We’ve been waiting for someone, anyone to come out with some cool Android figures and finally they are coming. Artist Andrew Bell has partnered with Google to release a series of authorized Android robot figurines.</p> <p>They are starting with an initial run of 12 designs in blind boxes. Of course you want to collect them. Look at these guys. The figures stand 3 inches tall and have articulating heads and arms. Look for them to be available starting the 10th of this month.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-46189657282878566822010-03-23T14:00:00.002-07:002010-03-23T14:01:11.434-07:00FuRo Breaks Wind, Makes Controlling Bots Easier<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/WIND.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/WIND.jpg" alt="" title="WIND" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8335" width="500" height="487" /></a><br />A division of the Chiba Institute of <a id="KonaLink1" target="undefined" class="kLink" style="text-decoration: underline ! important; position: static;" href="http://botropolis.com/page/10/#"><span style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: static;color:#95acc2;" ><span class="kLink" style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: relative;">Technology</span></span></a> by the name of FuRo (Future Robotics Technology Center) has created a controller dubbed WIND (Wireless Intelligent Networked Device.) No, it is not controlled by your farts, but rather by your movements. Move your arm left, the robot will do so. Nod your head up and down, the robot will do so. Many different movements are possible with the 3-dimensional sensors mounted on the mid to upper back and on the biceps and forearm. This kind of technology is good for a profession that handles dangerous materials, but also requires the unique, careful perception of a human. </p> <p>The white boxs are key to this secret. The white boxs are “System On Chip” processors, meaning they contain as much “intelligence” as personal computers. That’s about the power of 250 GB HDD! Though the mini processors are abundant with memory, the Bluetooth wireless transmitter slows down the robot’s reaction speed. There is still much potential for WIND technology. Here is a demonstration video. </p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-61702682866879381112010-03-23T14:00:00.001-07:002010-03-23T14:00:47.667-07:00Earthquake Detecting Robot Breaks Ground<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/earthquake-detector-robot.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/earthquake-detector-robot.jpg" alt="" title="earthquake-detector-robot" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8339" width="500" height="365" /></a><br />Hiren Patel’s home village of Gujarat, India was hit by a devasting earthquake back in 2001. After his town was rebuilt, Hiren enrolled in J T Engineering College to study robotics. He set a goal for himself: Create something that detects earthquakes so people can better prepare for them. So Hiren and a hand full of other engineers set out to meet his goal, and the product was the Earthquake Detector Robot. EDR supposedly can detect earthquakes that are 3 hours away from hitting the surface. It senses change in the temperature of the ground and water with one of its sensors, and detects change in water level with the other. It also holds a transmitter that sends any new information to the authorities. Watch a news report with the interview below. </p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-56785326388712235222010-03-23T13:59:00.002-07:002010-03-23T14:00:17.381-07:00Robonaut2: NASA’s Robot Astronaut<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/robon.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/robon.jpg" alt="" title="Robonaut2: NASA's Robot Astronaut " class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8346" width="500" height="334" /></a><br /></p><p>What the hell, we’ve sent <a id="KonaLink0" target="undefined" class="kLink" style="text-decoration: underline ! important; position: static;" href="http://botropolis.com/page/10/#"><span style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: static;color:#95acc2;" ><span class="kLink" style="color: rgb(149, 172, 194) ! important; position: relative;">monkeys</span></span></a> into space and probably other animals that they are all hush hush about. It’s time we got a real robot up in space so astronauts can get creeped out. This guy was developed by NASA and GM. It’s a trainable, expendable crew member who just happens to be a robot.</p> <p>Robonaut2 is ambidextrous and designed to use the same tools as human astronauts. He can lift up to 20lbs and operate in environments too dangerous for humans. Basically he’s our red shirt. If it looks like someone might die, they’ll send Robonaut2. Video below.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-7488085514289475852010-03-23T13:59:00.001-07:002010-03-23T13:59:41.131-07:00Lego Spider Robot<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/lego-robotic-spider.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/lego-robotic-spider.jpg" alt="" title="Lego Spider Robot" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8350" width="500" height="376" /></a><br /></p><p>MkMan’s Lego spider robot was created using pieces from a Mindstorm kit along with milled plastic parts. The legs are a locomotive concept known as Klann Linkage, meaning that they will operate in pairs, converting the rotational force from one motor into movement for both legs. There are four rotating gears that keep the eight legs moving. Looks like it gets around pretty good.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-26779694094830692662010-03-23T13:58:00.002-07:002010-03-23T13:59:15.290-07:00Robocop Competes In The Tough Guy Challenge<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/toughmanrobocop.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/toughmanrobocop.jpg" alt="" title="Robocop Competes In The Tough Guy Challenge" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8354" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /></p><p>The Tough Guy Challenge is an annual competition in England where participants struggle against mud, ice, and fire. And who’s tougher than Robocop? He’s part man, part machine. Sadly he didn’t win though. At least he didn’t have to go up against Ed-209.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-20244211108611959182010-03-23T13:58:00.001-07:002010-03-23T13:58:47.028-07:00Amoeba-Inspired ChIMERA Robot On Video<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/amoebabot-02.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/amoebabot-02.jpg" alt="" title="Amoeba-Inspired ChIMERA Robot On Video" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8358" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /></p><p>In a recent TED talk, Dr. Dennis Hong talks about some of the creepier candidates in the world of robots, including the spider-like STRiDER and the amoeboid ChIMERA (Chemically Induced Motion Everting Robotic Amoeba). </p> <p>ChiMERA achieves locomotion by moving its silicone skin and can squeeze through spaces half its diameter, and travels up to half a meter per second. It could be powered by chemical actuation, electroactive polymers, and air-driven tubes. Video below.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-32410859079708114192010-03-23T13:57:00.002-07:002010-03-23T13:58:10.650-07:00Awesome Nekosaur Crystal Robot Toy With Robot Guts<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/neko2.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/neko2.jpg" alt="" title="Awesome Nekosaur Crystal Robot Toy With Robot Guts" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8363" width="500" height="753" /></a><br /></p><p>Check out this awesome robot toy. Not every toy will give you robot guts. The Crystal Nekosaur is 6 inches tall, and comes with a paper insert that creates the illusion. He’ll cost you $79 and was designed by Alen Yen. It looks badass.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-72532101906142222942010-03-23T13:57:00.001-07:002010-03-23T13:57:33.178-07:00ARM-Powered Lego Robot Solves Rubik’s Cubes<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/052JJGBxFH0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed style="visibility: visible;" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/052JJGBxFH0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />We’ve seen several bots adept at the twists and turns of <a href="http://botropolis.com/tag/rubiks-cube/">Rubick’s Cube</a> and this guy is the latest. It uses Lego Mindstorms parts, a Lego programmable robotics kit and even a Nokia N95 mobile phone.</p> <p>The ARM armed Nokia N95 sits above the cube, scanning it with its camera as it solves the puzzle. Interesting take on a cube solving bot.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-69203875400262170922010-03-23T13:56:00.002-07:002010-03-23T13:57:04.410-07:00DARPA Wants An Autonomous, Grenade Throwing Robot<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/terminator-salvation-still.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/terminator-salvation-still.jpg" alt="" title="Terminator Salvation" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-491" width="500" height="752" /></a><a href="http://botropolis.com/tag/darpa/"><br /></a></p><p><a href="http://botropolis.com/tag/darpa/">DARPA</a> has put up an interesting job posting. It involves a new research and development program called ARM. DARPA wants to build a robot that can use its arms to autonomously grasp objects. </p> <p>The robot should be able to “hold an inert grenade with one hand, and pull the pin with the other hand” without any help from humans. The human who is the target should be able to leap up in the air, paddle his feet furiously and then zip away like Bug Bunny. </p> <p>Thanks DARPA. You sure don’t make it easy to sleep at night.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-22144709936130133602010-03-23T13:56:00.001-07:002010-03-23T13:56:25.843-07:00Robonica Roboni-i Robot Toy Review<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/robi.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/robi.jpg" alt="" title="Robonica Roboni-i Robot Toy Review" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8377" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /></p><p>The folks over at Engadget got some hands on time with the <a href="http://botropolis.com/tag/roboni-i/">Robonica Roboni-i</a>. Since becoming available, the price has gone from $299.95 to $159.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer. So what did they think? </p> <p>In general they like it. Control is easy, but the turning could be better. At the current price, many people can only buy one unit, which is obviously not as entertaining as two. All in all they seemed to have a good time with the little bugger. Hit the link for the full review.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-26549716880920462252010-03-23T13:55:00.003-07:002010-03-23T13:55:54.410-07:00Vstone’s Tichno Sucks In Customers For You<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/TICHNO-header.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/TICHNO-header.jpg" alt="" title="TICHNO-header" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8381" width="500" height="375" /></a><br />Tichno is a robot built by Vstone, that is meant to advertise for window stores. Usually Vstone develops robots that are meant for hobbyist to robots that are champions of the Robocup, but now they are reaching out to the advertising field. Tichno advertises by dancing, singing, talking, and doing other gestures such as hand waves. </p> <p>Tichno is designed with an outer shell that is androgynous, so it can be determined to be a male or a female, depending on the customizable suit. The control board is identical to the ones of the DIY kits, but Tichno is 130cm and weighs 26kg, including 22 DOF. It is equipped with built-in speakers and a voice recorder, allowing it to play pre-recorded messages and songs, which it can dance to. The price is unknown, but there’s expected to be a cheaper version along with this one. Watch Tichno demonstrate its skills. </p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-6699826045469650252010-03-23T13:55:00.001-07:002010-03-23T13:55:29.578-07:00Robots Now Smoke Incense<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/incense_robot.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/incense_robot.jpg" alt="" title="incense_robot" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8388" width="500" height="500" /></a><br />A small German shop by the name of <a href="http://www.generalrobots.de/advanced_search_result.php/language/en/keywords/incense">General Robots</a> has designed some pretty intense, wooden robots that will smoke up your place. What looks to be hand-carved, the wooden robot is rigged with an incense burner, in the place of its spine. I’m not sure how it works, but the top half of the body is removable from the bottom half, so the incense stick can be placed. Where it gets the oxygen when the top half is placed back on, is what i don’t know. Standing at only 6 inches tall, it costs €39.90. </p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-48726451413921901352010-03-23T13:54:00.000-07:002010-03-23T13:55:03.635-07:00Heineken Bot Serves Up The Brew<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/heinekenbot02062010.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/heinekenbot02062010.jpg" alt="" title="Heineken Bot Serves Up The Brew" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8397" width="500" height="333" /></a><br /></p><p>This Heineken Bot” was made by the folks at Middlesex University and he recently showed up at the Kinetica Art Fair in London. If humans move their hands above its sonar-sensing head, and then place a cup in its holder they will be rewarded with some beer. </p> <p>After he serves up the good stuff, he continues to wander along a pre-programmed path, waiting on others.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1657405872933752215.post-10237312418298038772010-03-23T13:52:00.000-07:002010-03-23T13:54:33.607-07:00Robot Toys Seized At Customs<div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry"> <p><a href="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/cleatus-robot-toy.jpg"><img src="http://botropolis.com/wp-content/uploads/cleatus-robot-toy.jpg" alt="" title="Robot Toys Seized At Customs" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8401" width="250" height="312" /></a><br /></p><p>Robots are pretty powerful, but they can’t defend themselves against customs in Seattle. 17,600 NFL toy robot figures similar to the one shown here were seized at customs recently.</p> <p>The toys were made in China Where else?) and found to have 6 times the acceptable level of lead in them. So they won’t be invading American homes anytime soon. The toys are valued at about $96,000 and will be completely destroyed.</p></div>Andri Kurniawanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17981702888920183283noreply@blogger.com0