Hasta La Gadget!

Remember that nondescript space shuttle that launched about a month ago — you know, the one responsible for carrying this here nondescript humanoid robot into the outer reaches of our galaxy? Well, things went according to plan and the robot has been successfully deployed in the International Space Station, making way for the first ever robot-human space crew. R2, weighing in at 300 pounds with just a torso, head and two arms, costed NASA and GM a cool $2.5 million to build, and there’s no telling what kind of handling fees were applied when shoving him into his SLEEPR crate. Because of his dexterity, the bot is up above the clouds to help out with chores and assist crew members with science experiments and handling human tools — easy for us to say, but even easier for you to grok if you slam the play button just after the break.

Continue reading Robonaut 2 gets unboxed in space, plans for galactic domination

Robonaut 2 gets unboxed in space, plans for galactic domination originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 02:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Researchers experiment with drug-delivering robot… implanted in an eye

Researchers experiment with drug-delivering robot… implanted in an eye originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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He did it! As promised way back in 2007, David Hanson has turned his little Astro Boy-like Zeno robot loose upon our delicate planet. But Zeno is just one of four face options available for the Hanson Robokind — the “almost human robot” considered “the best robot on the market” by its maker. In addition to the fully expressive Zeno, Alice, and Einstein (yes, that Einstein) faces, Hanson is also offering the static-faced Geo with fully functional eyes. Each face features Hanson’s Frubber biometric skin that contracts and folds to simulate the action of your own flesh-coated facial muscles to create “millions” of possible expressions. These expressions are assisted by natural eyelid actions covering a pair of independently moving eyes, each equipped with 720p @ 30fps cameras for binocular stereo-vision. Rounding out the specs is a complete suite of sensors, microphones, optional Maxon motors, and an embedded computer with open source OS. Hanson’s also working on a complete SDK it hopes to release ASAP. Prices start at $8,500 (model R-20) for a static body with motorized head on up to $14,750 (model R-50) for a maxed-out model with fully expressive head and walking body capable of 33 degrees of freedom. And hey, if you buy five expressive faces you’ll get one interchangeable walking body for free. Now, get ready to get up close and personal with the entire Hanson family after the break.

Continue reading Hanson Robokind puts a familiar Frubber face on robotic research (video)

Hanson Robokind puts a familiar Frubber face on robotic research (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 05:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While some bot makers are busying themselves designing AI to simulate humans’ natural and distinct lack of intelligence, it’s nice to see there are still old-fashioned researchers out there keeping the Skynet dream alive. Northrop Grumman‘s aeronautics gurus have paired together a Global Hawk unmanned aircraft with a manned Proteus ship way up in the skies — 45,000 feet, to be precise — with the vessels of ingenuity managing to fly in tandem at a distance as short as 40 feet. Unsurprisingly, this is the first time such intimacy has been reached between UAVs (the Proteus had a monitoring crew on board to ensure the insurance bill wasn’t through the roof) in high altitude, and the ultimate goal of having two Global Hawks doing the deed without any human intervention is said to be within reach by next year. That’s when these light and agile air drones will be able to refuel themselves and go on for a mighty 120 hours in the air… plenty of time to complete a well planned extermination down below, if one were so inclined.

Continue reading NASA’s Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video)

NASA’s Global Hawk completes unmanned airborne refueling simulation, will do it for real next year (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A robot performing a task tends to be something of an attention-grabber, but should you ignore it that ‘bot will usually ignore you too, mindlessly continuing on with its job. If that job is building a car then being ignored is nothing to worry about, but if that task is teaching a human then inattention is obviously something of a problem. Researchers at the School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech have managed to teach Simon, who we’ve seen before learning to understand your voice and face, to act more human-like in an attempt to capture you’re attention. If that doesn’t work, he can use cameras to detect inattention, with an 80 percent accuracy rating in spotting day-dreamers. We’re not sure what he does if inattention is detected, but hopefully he doesn’t go all ED-209 on any poor students.

Continue reading Simon the robot learns to act like a human, can tell when you’re not paying attention (video)

Simon the robot learns to act like a human, can tell when you’re not paying attention (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 16:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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