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Robbie the Robot Comes to Earth

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Toys,

Robbie the Robot You can now have your very own B-9 Environmental Control Robot from the old sci-fi series “Lost in Space.” Robbie is 6 1/2 feet tall, is remote controlled and has been created based on the original molds, patterns, and blueprints. He moves left and right and his soil sampler spins and whirs and analyzes. With a 240 watt audio system, Robbie speaks 511 pre-recorded phrases by the bot’s original voice, Richard Tufeld. He also comes with a lifetime guarantee (his or ours?) We figure his first words will be, “Danger Will Robinson, I cost $24,000.00.”

Swami Knows All, Tells Most

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Science,

Swami We couldn’t leave the Neiman Marcus Catalogue without including one more item that we found especially intriguing. The Swami Conversational Robot knows who you are individually, carries on conversations, develops a rapport with you, and answers questions. He has micro-camera eyes, more than 30 robotic micro motors and runs off an (included!) PC laptop.This bot makes Zoltar look like child’s play, but then he is available for about 10 times the price at $75,000.00.

Brian the Brain, Know-it-All

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Home Entertainment, Smart Home, Misc. Tech, Toys, Videos,

Meet Brian, whose brain contains The Britannica Concise Encyclopedia, an English dictionary, and a world history timeline. He utilizes voice recognition or keyboard to respond, and can store phone numbers and dial via a phone jack, ask questions, and tell some really corny jokes. Brian contains an MP3 player jack, an integrated speaker, a digital clock, a calendar, and has thousands of bits of trivia stored inside his glowing, color-changing brain. At a size of 13.75 x 11.75 x 10-inches, the Brain is powered by three AAA batteries (not included,) includes a free 3-month subscription to Britannica On Line, and will be ready to play “Jeopardy” with you around October 19 for $119.95.

Asimo Makes Commercials

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Science, Transportation,

We just saw one of our fave spokesbots in a cameo on television. Asimo recently made an appearance in Honda’s latest commercial. We also understand that he is streaking across the stage at Disneyland in a mini-demo designed to get the greater public used to the idea of bringing robotics into the mainstream. The robot is becoming so famous that he even has his own website. Kudos to the company for knowing that robots can make an impact on sales without petty demands and/or the high salary of celebrities.

Speecys Breaks Up Your Day

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Science, Videos,

They say laughter is the best medicine. That must have been the thinking behind the creators of Speecys SPC-101C. At a height of 33 cm and a weight of 1.5 kg, the guffawing bot features a 22+LED display, 2 stereo speakers, a 270,000-pixel CMOS Color Video cam, and wireless capability. We think that perhaps he is laughing and dancing because someone was dense enough to shell out the $3,000. And yes, for the record, we realize the Speecys is a cleverly disguised homophone.

I-sobot Coming to America

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Misc. Tech, Toys,

i-Sobot Tomy is finally releasing its clever iSobot in the U.S., no doubt in time for the Christmas rush. The bot features a built-in gyro sensor, 17 servo motors, 2 LEDS, voice recognition and a vocabulary of about 200 words and phrases. Although only 7-inches tall, the little guy can do push-ups and play air guitar, but we are guessing not simultaneously. Expected out next month, it will be available for ~$300.00. For more information, check out the rather lame MySpace Page devoted to the robot.

Microsoft and Tmsuk To Unite in Robotics Bliss

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Corporate News, Design, Microsoft, Science,

Microsoft has teamed up with former factory automation and now robotics company Tmsuk to develop what they feel will be cutting edge technology. As of now, there are many different systems being used and the company would like it if they were more standardized and used one, preferably their Robotics Studio.

Professor Atsuo Takanishi at Waseda University mentioned that it remained to be seen if Microsoft can make their dream a reality. “But I don’t think it is very difficult to modify the existing technologies developed with other operating system—such as Linux—into a Microsoft version.”

We like the idea that companies are getting together and don’t really care who is in charge as long as they just keep those bots coming, hopefully at a price everyone can handle.

Mercury, Robot Seeker of Light

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Design, Misc. Tech, Toys,

While we are on the subject of creepy things that go bump in the night, take a peek at Harold Ilano’s Mercury, named for the light-seeker. Made from an old Playstation, a Li-Poly 3.6 V cell phone battery, and a few analog components. The robotic bug zig-zags across your floor, seeking the light via its sensors, and pauses occasionally to regroup. Red LEDs were added to keep people from tripping over it in the dark and because it, in Ilano’s own words, “makes him look cool.” The designer was kind enough to post instructions if you want to make your own horde of robotic insects.

Bandai Hex Lets Loose Robotic Bug

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Toys,

The one creature we have no respect for is a cockroach, so we have no idea why Bandai Hex decided to release this Robotic Bug. It reacts to sound and avoids obstacles by altering its direction. Clap on if you really want one of these bots that come in a choice of 5 colors for $19.00. We might just consider purchasing one of the battery-operated bugs if it promises to eat the leftover Cheerios that we spilled this morning.

Keepon Digs the Beat

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Science, Videos,

We don’t know how we managed to overlook this cute bot until we came across him on Wired. Keepon resides in Kyoto and generally works as a child-development research tool. This past summer his owners Hideki Kozima, a roboticist and child psychologist, and programmer Marek Michalowski introduced him to the rock band Spoon. The video “Keepon Dancing to Spoon’s ‘Don’t You Evah‘” was born. Kozima is his costar and we know that you will recognize several robotic cameos in the last shot. Spoon and Keepon will be the headliners at Wired’s NextFest which begins September 10.

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