Latest Gear Live Videos
CES 2008: Roboquad Can Be Provoked
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: CES, CES 2008, Misc. Tech, Science,
Wowwee wasn’t content to simply release a male and fem bot at the CES, they also showed off what they call the first robotic arthropod. The Roboquad has 72 pre-programmed functions (with dance and movement demos,) as well as being capable of 40 more. With three different modes of walking, the bot has multi-colored flashing lights and techno sound effects. He comes with an illuminated remote, goes into sleep mode after 5 minutes, and powers down after 24 hrs. of inactivity. If that alone is not enough to sell you, can change his aggression level and challenge your Pleo to a duel. Running on 4 C and 3 AAA batteries, the bot can be yours for about $150.00.
Read More 
| CES Planner
Advertisement
Cube-Kun Speeds Through Rubik’s
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Toys,
Although Yy Nakajima was crowned the World Champ when he solved the Rubik’s Cube in about 12 seconds, Cube-Kun is even faster. Designed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and standing about 2 meters tall, the robot spends only a second or two figuring out the puzzle. When given a cube, his sensors determine the current position of each square while you watch his permutations on his flat panel display head. Cube-Kun will be on display at Tokyo’s TEPIA plaza next month. We wonder if he will move on to bigger and better things to do with his time, say, solve global warming?
Read More | Tokyo Mango
Hoap is Portrait Artist
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Videos,
Sylvain Calinon of LASA (Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory,) has been working with robotics for quite some time. One of the results is the Hoap 3 that can create a portrait and sign it.
“When the robot recognizes a face in its field of view, it first grabs a snapshot of the face and extracts the relevant features and contours characterizing it. The robot then grabs a pen and starts drawing the user’s portrait, starting from the rough contours and adding details iteratively,” Calinon said.
While it a charming thing to watch, somehow it doesn’t have the same appeal as local artists who appreciate onlookers.
Read More | Bot Junkie
Honda’s Spokesbot ASIMO Is New, Improved
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science,
Honda has come up with a new, more intelligent generation of ASIMO. So far he has entertained Japanese bigwigs and politicos, but now the company has decided it is time for him to go to work. On display this week, two of them pushed a cart, served tea and drinks, and stepped aside for people to pass. This ASIMO will return to its charger when his battery runs low and, while it is recharging, others will take over. (Do you suppose he can plug himself in?) Japanese companies continue to pump out robots as the elderly population rises, to assist them as well as replace them in the workplace.
Read More | Space Daily
Water Strider is Mini-Spy
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Videos,
Carnegie Mellon University’s NanoRobotics lab has devised a robotic water strider. The insects can travel 100 body lengths per second, which would be equal to a human running 400 mph. The team uses micro-actuators and motors to create the movement so that it can walk and bounce on still water. We expect that the military will snap them up before Whammo can turn them into toys. After all, who would suspect that the enemy would place a mini recording device on a common bug?
Read More | NanoRobotics Lab
Pleo Arrives for the Holidays
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Editorial, Misc. Tech, Science,
In case you hadn’t heard, our fave robotic creature Pleo has finally become available for all. At a final price of $349.00, the robotic dinosaur can be pre-ordered for a January 21 delivery if you live in the United States. Until then you can download a color card to give to the recipient.
In a grossly related article, Dvice decided to see how much abuse Pleo could handle. Yes, we know that he is not real, still it seems a cruel trick to play on something that those of us here at Gear Life that have nurtured since its inception.
Read More | Ugobe
Toyota Bots Play the Violin
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science, Videos,
Just as Honda publicly entered the field of robotics with its spokesrobot Asimo, Toyota has 3-upped them with their trio of Partner Robots. Designed to carry out simple tasks for its humans, the first two can not only be programmed for assistance to the infirm or elderly, they can literally play the violin and trumpet. Mobiro was designed as an advanced sort of wheelchair for those who have difficulty walking. Look for him to achieve the status of being a part of Tokyo Disney Theme Park in 2008. Visit Toyota’s site for more robots that are in various stages of R & D.
Read More | Akihabara News
Delta Literally Launched Under Water
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation,
QU Inc.‘s new marine robot DELTA-100R can go to a depth of over 150 meters while being controlled with a joystick by someone on the surface. Unveiled at the International Robot Exhibition (IREX) 2007 in Tokyo, it features a color CCD cam inside. While we suspect that its main usage will be for seeking out a new species or in lost body searches, it might be an efficient means of looking for lost change at the bottom of your local pool.
Read More | Aving
Lady Bird Does Bathrooms
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science,
Another robot has entered the building to assist humanity. NEXCO’s Lady Bird is a 39-inch tall prototype designed to clean highway rest stops and hotel bathrooms. The ladybug-shaped bot comes equipped with brushes, water tanks, and cleaning supplies for that nastiest of jobs. Sensors allow her to perform without bothering people while they are in the room. She also can engage in simple conversation, thanks to her voice recognition capability and mics in her antennae, and can give the latest traffic update. Expected to become a reality by March 2009, this is one 3.5 million yen (~$30,000.00) robotic helper that is definitely worth the expense.
Read More | Pink Tentacle
Simroid Feels Dental Pain
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Videos,
We cringe when thinking about dentists, but now they will get their just desserts with Simroid, a 5 foot, 3-inch bot developed at Nippon Medical School which will teach them how to better communicate with their patients. If the dentist hits a nerve with his/her drill, she will say “ouch” and will react to pain by moving her eyes and hands. If she is touched in an inappropriate place on her chest, she will record that to later incriminate the offender. Simroid was unveiled at this week’s 2007 International Robot Exhibition. Don’t push play if you are as squeamish as we are. (Just kidding.)
Read More | Pink Tentacle
Advertisement
© Gear Live Inc. {year} – User-posted content, unless source is quoted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Public Domain License. Gear Live graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, videos, articles, blogs, forums, scripts and other service names are the trademarks of Gear Live Inc.