Boston Dynamics create robot reindeer powered Santa sleigh

Boston Dynamics has decided to put their scary looking robots to good use and created a robot-powered reindeer version of Santa's sleigh.

AVERT multi-robot system safely moves suspicious cars

If you ever need to move a car around without jerking it too much, then that's a task for the small robots deplyed by AVERT - and you'll wish you could use them to park your own car.

Robots lived in houses for 6 years to measure their Energy Efficiency

You wouldn't notice anything strange in these houses, other than the fact that no one would get it or get out. For six years, three houses in Tenesse were lived in only by robots - and you should thank them for it.

TinkerBots - LEGO style modular robots on Indiegogo

I'm happy to see there's an increased interest in physical "toys" - after several generations of people that have devoted their (free) time seating in front of a TV playing console games. This Tinkerbots (TinkerBots on Indiegogo) that has popped up on Indiegogo is just one more such example.

If you ever felt the urge to build a robot, you might be familiar with this: you begin by exploring several possibilities... but when you see that most of them require soldering wires and electronic components, as well as mess with microcontroller programming and such... you begin wondering if you wouldn't be better off inserting a game disc into your Xbox/Playstation.

TinkerBots simplifies all that.

TinkerBots provides you with easy to use modular blocks: you get a "brain", different moving parts, sensors, etc. that you can simply assemble as if it were a LEGO block system. (In fact, you also have a LEGO adapter that you can use to expand your designs using actual LEGO blocks.)

Then, you can program your robot by simply performing and recording the actions on the moving parts, although more complex design will still require you do mess around with actual programming. But at least, you'll be a lot closer to your end goal. :)

The basic kit starts at $199, but if you want the fully loaded version with all different kinds of modules, you'll need to invest $603.

Best Ever Real Tranformer Robot

Ever since the Transformers aired for the the first time, many have tried to create a real autonomous robot that could perform like they do. We've had a lot of mock-up models that could transform "by hand", but once you start adding all the motors and electronics, things begin to become a lot more complex.

Though its still a small scale model, this transformer however proves that we're not to far from a real Transformer robot - it's a fully functional vehicle, that can autonomously transform into a bipedal robot figure (with full range of motion), and back again.

Its creator says there's still room for improvement, and that make's us believe that we might not be too far off a real life-sized Transformer becoming possible in the near future! :)



[via theverge]

Honda Uni-Cub Robot Unicycle

Most people still look surprised when they see a Segway zooming along... But imagine just how more amazed they would be if they saw one of these robotized unicycles from Honda, the Uni-Cub.

While it is strange to see a vehicle like the Segway keeping balance with just two wheels, things get even more interesting when you use just one.
(ok, truth be told, there's still a small auxiliary wheel to keep this Uni-Cub in balance... but the end result is still quite amazing).

Though I'm sure this would be a fun way to move around in a futuristic city, where each vehicle wouldn't take any more space than a single person; I suspect we're still a long way from that. So, if they can bring down the costs to make it accessible for anyone suffering from reduced mobility at home... that wouldn't be so bad for now.

V-REP Virtual Robot Experimentation Platform

For lots of people (myself included) there almost something magical about robots, and that's something that accompanies us since we were children. Unfortunately, its a fascination that is often relied to the imagination realm, as it isn't very common for anyone to have robots to tinker with around the house (though Lego Technics and similar "toys" have made it far more accessible than ever before).

But, even those "toys" are usually quite expensive. Wouldn't it be great if one could play around with high-quality robotic systems without spending a single cent? That's exactly what you can do with: V-REP (Virtual Robot Experimentation Platform).

As its name implies, the software provides an unlimited proving ground for you to try out any robotic contraption your mind can come up with. And as you can see in the following demo video, there really are no limits to what it can do:




And before you think this is only "virtual", check out this video where V-REP is interfaced to an Wiimote and webcam, allowing you to control a virtual robot with very real and physical movements.




So... what are you waiting for? I dare you to come up with a better Mars rover design than the one Nasa is currently planning on sending to the red planet. Who knows?... Maybe you'll might be able to teach them a trick or two... :)

Frida Robot by ABB

I never cease to be amazed by what you can accomplish with robotics. Just take a look at this FRIDA concept by ABB.

A robotic system designed to replace a human worker, with 7 degrees of freedom arms, capable of doing whatever a human arm can do - and more.

Unlike traditional 6 DOF robotic arms, the 7th degree gives it the same "natural" ability to maneuver in constraint spaces - that exactly why evolution gave us the arms we have today.

... Now, if only these kind of systems could be bought at an affordable price, so that we could finally have some robot helpers at home taking care of the "boring" stuff... (though in same cases we're doing it already :)

Festo SmartBird

The dream of flying like a bird has been with since the very first time the ancient man looked up in the sky and saw a bird soaring through the sky.

Until now, most of our attempts have focused on flying using fixed wings and powerful engines. But Festo has now shown its SmartBird, a bionic bird that flies using nothing but the same principles and techniques of a real bird.

And yes, just like its flesh and blood twins, it can can start, fly and land autonomously – with no additional assistance.

Truly remarkable!

Cardboard Hydraulic Robot Arm

If you're into robotics, and want to introduce the basics of hydraulic robot arms to children, here's a project you won't be able to resist!

This cardboard hydraulic robot arm doesn't even give you the chance to say: "oh, it's too hard to find the metal pieces to build it!" as it is assembled entirely out of cardboard and duct tape.

Definitely a project to keep you entertained (as well as your kids) for a while.

Micro Maze Solving Robot Mouse

This micro mouse robot can find its way through a maze in just 5 seconds.

In a first stage in must transverse the entire maze at a more leisurely pace, mapping its surroundings; but once it finishes its task, it goes ahead in full-speed mode!

Multitouch Multi-Robot Control

Here's a very interesting project showing how to control mutiple robots using a multitouch Surface.

Basically, and although it's demoed using virtual robots (though you can see it working with a real robot in the second video) this system allows you to control a number of units just like you do in many RTS (Real Time Strategy) games.

Just pick the units you want and tell them where you want them to go, either by drawing its paths or touching their destination point.

Check it in action in the following videos.

Fast Robot vs Human

The following video shows what every Terminator watching spectator has known for years: robots will rule the world! :)

In this demo, the fastest "pick and place" robot, Adept Quattro, faces a human trying to trick it, moving a base where the robot has to put/remove some pieces.

Do I need to tell you who wins?

Festo Robotic Trunk

When we talk about robots one immediately visualizes solid awkward moving elements. And that's exactly why seeing something like this Festo's Robotic Trunk manipulator looks even weirder.

But, it's something that just makes sense. Species have evolved over millions of years, solving various problems that must now be tackled by robots. Why not just copy Nature's solutions?

Segways for Sniper practice

If you doubt the military have all the fun toys, check out this amazing sniper practice range for the Australian army where your targets are dummys mounted on top of robotic segway platforms from Marathon Robotics. Now you just need to link those to real Modern Warfare 2 players, and we'll even the odds! :)

YDreams Spices Up Santander Visitor Center

The portuguese company YDreams is well known for its "futuristic" works. Now, it has put all its experience to use in its largest project to date: the Visitor Center in Group Santander's huge complex near Madrid.

From guidance autonomous robots to digital interactive walls and augmented reality models, this project is sure to grab every visitor's attention for the time to come.

Air Dexterity Robot

When we talk about robotic object manipulation most people will immediately think of mechanical graspers. But... are you aware of what can be accomplished using nothing but air?

I challenge you to watch the following video and not be amazed by these "blowing" robots. :)



Sure it won't replace "real" robot fingers, but it's impressive nonetheless.

Robot Audi to Conquer Pikes Peak?

If you think autonomous robotized cars are boring, let me let you in on a little secret: this Audi TT not only holds the record for the fastest autonomous car (at 130mph), it is also set to heat up the competition in the breathtaking Pikes Peak hill climbing race.

Will rally drivers begin to worry about driverless cars beating their records? :)



To see what this Audi robot will have to beat, check the following video:

Pancake Stacking Robots

Now you've seen it all... When robots are able to sort and stack pancakes in high-speed, is there anything they won't be able to do? :)

Check out the amazing Flexipicker from ABB Robotics in action:

LittleDog learns new Tricks

Do you remember BigDog? The awkward looking robot that seems impossible to take down?
Well, it's little brother - LittleDog - has been learning some new tricks at MIT, and will "walk" even better. Tricks that will later be integrated into its larger brother.

It can now leap into the air, keeping its weight in just two legs (shown at around 1:44 in the next video):


And even some Shaolin magic, walking on stakes!