Jun 23

Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC’s PaPeRo

Posted in: kirf, robot, Robots, Today's Chili
UNISROBO

The KIRFs we normally see are of the cellphone and PMP variety, with the occasional laptop scattered here and there. In fact, this might be the first time we’ve seen a clone of a serious robot, and not just some remote-controlled toy. Above is the UNISROBO from a pair of Chinese companies, UNIS and Just Good Technology. Those of you with a strong memory may immediately notice its amazing resemblance to NEC’s PaPeRo and PaPeRo-mini. Outside of the bright job, the only major aesthetic difference is the LCD embedded in UNISROBO’s chest. Under the hood, however, is a different story — this Chinese knockoff is missing the stereoscopic cameras and ultrasonic sensors that helped its Japanese inspiration navigate. There’s one thing these copycats are not though — cheap. UNIS will be selling two models at 2,980 and 3,980 Yuan (about $460 and $615). One more picture after the break.

Continue reading Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC’s PaPeRo

Chinese UNISROBO KIRFbot is a not-so-cheap knockoff of NEC’s PaPeRo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourcePlasticPals  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Jun 17

5 Robots That Can Get Their Groove On

Posted in: R&D and Inventions, Robots, Today's Chili, video

<< Previous
|
Next >>



In case you haven’t heard, Rebecca Black pulled her “Friday” video from YouTube this week. Now what are we going to be “so excited” about?

Over here at Gadget Lab, we’re so excited about robots.

We’ve seen robots that can crawl and walk, ones that can climb walls using electroadhesive film, and some that are a bit less talented, but just look darn good.

Today, we focus on bots that have one thing in common: These guys can dance.

Check out everything from the HRP-4C’s uncanny valley-straddling popstar-style moves (above), to the cute, cheerful bouncing of the squishy yellow Keepon.

I wonder how long we’re going to have to wait for a Saturday Night Fever cast entirely with robots. I give it two years.

Above:

Pop Sensation HRP-4C

HRP-4C is half fembot, half stormtrooper, and all talent.

Over 30 motors in HRP-4C’s humanoid form allow her 5-foot, 2-inch frame to move like a human. She was developed by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Japan.

The video above is from the 2010 Digital Content Expo, which took place in October. Her voice is that of Kaori Mochida, a Japanese pop star, after being run through AIST’s synthesizer software called VocalListener.

Her most recent escapade, below, is performing at Yamaha Motors’ booth at the 2011 Jisso Protec show. Maybe we’ll get to see her stateside at CES 2012. I can only hope.

<< Previous
|
Next >>

View all


No Comments
Jun 17

Web-controlled tweeting Roomba is a perfect storm of DIY magic

Posted in: arduino, diy, robot, Robots, Today's Chili, twitter
Web-controlled tweeting Roomba

There are three things that will guarantee your DIY project some attention: slap it on a Roomba, base it on Arduino, or make it tweet. Do all three and, well, you’ve got a nerdgasm-inducing bit of Make fodder. The creation you see above is a web-controlled tweeting Roomba whipped up by Instructables member matchlighter using a 500 series vacuum bot and the Sparkfun WiFly shield for Arduino. The autonomous cleaner can be triggered from anywhere there’s an internet connection and updates Twitter to keep you abreast of its status (Ahh! Dock sweet dock). While Mr. matchlighter was kind enough provide directions for building your own, a lot of the actual coding is left up to you. (We’re lazy, let us just copy and paste dammit!) If you think you’ve got the programming chops, hit up the source link for instructions and check out the original’s Twitter feed at the more coverage link.

Update: The complete code is in step eight of the Instructable.

Web-controlled tweeting Roomba is a perfect storm of DIY magic originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceInstructables  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: , ,
Jun 16

Harvard’s Kilobot project does swarm robots on the cheap (video)

Posted in: robot, Robots, Today's Chili, video
We’ve certainly seen plenty of swarm robots before, but few of those are cheap enough to let you easily build something that can truly be called a “swarm.” These so-called Kilobots developed by Harvard’s Self-organizing Systems Research Group, however, can apparently built for just $14 apiece, and can each be assembled in just five minutes to boot. Despite that low cost, the bots are still capable of plenty of swarm-like behaviors, including the ability to follow the leader, disperse in an environment, put on a synchronized LED light show. Head on past the break for a pair of videos.

Continue reading Harvard’s Kilobot project does swarm robots on the cheap (video)

Harvard’s Kilobot project does swarm robots on the cheap (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink IEEE Spectrum  |  sourceHarvard  | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Jun 13

Fits.me imitates ladies of all shapes and sizes, tries clothes on for you (video)

Posted in: robot, Robots, Today's Chili, video
Fits.Me Female FitBot

Unless you’re in the rather strange habit of going to stores, trying on clothes, and returning home to purchase them online, you never know how they look on you until the package arrives on your doorstep. Last year Fits.me tackled this little niggling e-commerce issue with a shape-shifting male mannequin and finally, after a year of tireless work, the fairer sex has its own FitBot — turns out the female form is much more difficult to replicate. Again, the adjustable, human stand-in is making its debut at the British retailer Hawes & Curtis and our more womanly readers can head to the source to get a better idea of how the White Hipster Shirt would drape across their particular body type simply by moving a set of sliders. But, before you go, check out the pair of videos after the break.

Continue reading Fits.me imitates ladies of all shapes and sizes, tries clothes on for you (video)

Fits.me imitates ladies of all shapes and sizes, tries clothes on for you (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 10:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Next Web  |  sourceHawes & Curtis  | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Jun 12

Robots make breakfast for scientists, bide time (video)

Posted in: robot, RobotApocalypse, robotics, Robots, Today's Chili, video

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for a growing robot — it’s also an easy and relatively quick way to lull a group of scientists into a false sense of security. Now, we’re not saying that James and Rosie here had an ulterior motive when they put together a breakfast of Bavarian sausage and baguettes for a group of researchers at Munich’s CoTeSys lab — as far as robotic couples go, they seem very nice. James, a US-designed PR2 robot, sliced the bread, while German-designed Rosie boiled up some sausages, as some hungry roboticists looked on patiently. Oddly, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a robot prepare a morning meal — it’s nice to know, however, that after the robot apocalypse, at least we’ll all still be well fed. Super sped up video of cooking robots after the break.

Continue reading Robots make breakfast for scientists, bide time (video)

Robots make breakfast for scientists, bide time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceIEEE Spectrum  | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Jun 09

Adorable CanBot chills in your fridge, quietly biding its time (video)

Posted in: diy, robot, Robots, Today's Chili, video

What’s the point of a robot disguised as a tank or, uh, a clothes dryer? If you really want to infiltrate human society, you need robots that can hide in plain sight. Thankfully for would-be robotic conquerors, Ron Tajima brings us the aptly named CanBot, which hides batteries, an embedded control board, and three RC-servo legs beneath its beer-can exterior. Tajimi controls it with a Wiimote, and in the video above you can see it walking and rolling. His son seems less than impressed, but he probably sees this stuff all the time. We’re mightily excited, and look forward to picking up a six pack. Of robots.

[Thanks, Robotbling]

Adorable CanBot chills in your fridge, quietly biding its time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink GetRobo  |  sourcelongjie0723 (YouTube)  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: , , ,
Jun 06

Steve Wozniak calls us all dogs, in a nice way

Posted in: Apple, robot, RobotApocalypse, Robots, Today's Chili

You can stop worrying about the robot apocalypse now. Steve Wozniak has weighed in on the matter, and it turns out we’ve pretty much lost. The Apple co-founder / dancing star discussed the subject with an Australian business crowd, mapping out a future in which artificial intelligence equals our own, and mankind’s own input is meaningless. In other words, “We’re going to become the pets, the dogs of the house.” Woz added that his take on the whole war thing was, in part, a joke — it’s the part that wasn’t that we’re worried about. Though if our own dogs’ existences are any indication, things could be a lot worse.

[Thanks, Shaun]

Steve Wozniak calls us all dogs, in a nice way originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 07:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceNews.com.au  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags:
Jun 05

Dual-armed Teutonic robot plays pool, carefully learns to hustle foolish humans

Posted in: robot, Robots, Today's Chili
Sure, we’ve created interactive pool tables and digitally assisted billiards, but isn’t it time we completely outsourced our pool-playing to brutally efficient robots? The Germans obviously think so, using this year’s International Conference on Robotics and Automation to debut a dual-armed poolbot able to make “easier” shots about 80 percent of the time. Those misses sound a bit like hustling to us, and unlike Willow Garage’s friendly PR2 robot, the German version has a suitably intimidating, industrial look. It’s also a bit of a cheat, using an overhead camera to plan its shots. For the full lowdown on this shark, check the video after the break.

Continue reading Dual-armed Teutonic robot plays pool, carefully learns to hustle foolish humans

Dual-armed Teutonic robot plays pool, carefully learns to hustle foolish humans originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 05:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceIEEE Spectrum  | Email this | Comments

No Comments
Jun 03

Simple DIY cellbot ditches Arduino, jousts poorly (video)

Posted in: Android, arduino, diy, robot, robotics, Robots, Today's Chili, video




Want an adorable little Android cellbot to call your own, but aren’t quite ready to tackle Arduino code? Darrell Taylor’s got you covered with an audio-controlled, jousting cellbot: no muss, no fuss, no microcontroller. The Make project, called TRRSTAN, accepts commands via Google chat, web browser, or Wii remote piped through the headphone jack of your Android phone — the robot’s brain, of course. Tack on a few makeshift weapons procured at the local dollar store, and you’ve got a homemade warrior you can be proud of. Want one? Taylor has a ready-made kit available for just shy of $50, and offers a ‘fully assembled’ option for the extra-lazy robot enthusiast. Of course, you could always go back to playing Android-bots with your Legos if you aren’t quite ready to big-boy world of DIY. Just sayin’.

Simple DIY cellbot ditches Arduino, jousts poorly (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Make  |  sourceMake: Projects  | Email this | Comments

No Comments | Tags: , ,