STriDER: The three-legged balancing robot

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It is the age of the machines, especially those that don’t exist in the realms of mundane imagination. Kudos to H.G. Wells, for conjuring up the concept of three-legged acrobatic robots, comes up with an idea inspiring the creation of STriDER (Self-excited Tripedal Dynamic Experimental Robot) — a mean machine that knows how to ‘watch its step’. With a ‘swing’ gait claimed by US scientists as – ‘closer to that of a human walking than most bipedal humanoid robots you see today’, the STriDER can flip its body upside down with every step to preserve energy. So, when the robot has to take a step forward, it shifts its weight to two of its legs and then uses the third to balance itself as it flips 180 degrees to retain its stability in the tripod position. The basic idea of using a tripod concept is to eliminate the need to control every single limb individually. At the same time, the direction can also be changed with minimum effort. Eccentrically shaped, the tripod stands 1.8 metres tall (prototype). The latest version is only half as tall as its mother design. The robot will be used for the deployment of sensors and cameras in remote areas. Unlike other robots, the STriDER can step over obstacles with ease and rest in a less-energy consuming stance. For a video demonstration of the robot, click on the ‘video’ link below. Via:newscientist Image Video

Robot Pet

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Technology has given us many advantages to make our lives easier. Microwave ovens, cell phones and personal computers are just a few innovations that a short while ago were only items in fiction. Now we have a new advancement in companions. Robot pets have become the latest rage. You get the fun and companionship of a pet with none of the worries of upkeep. Once only a product of imagination, robot pets have become popular throughout the world. Introduced in the early 1990’s, Teksta the robot dog, came on the market and sparked imaginations of toy producers and parent’s alike. From full size robot pets that sound and act like the real thing to the small iDog that can be hooked up to your iPod and react to music, robot dogs remain popular. Robot pets can look like the real thing or be futuristically designed. Who can forget the Furby by Tiger Electronics? This little pet robot didn’t move much but did emit chatter called “furbish”. Another robot pet that is still popular is the Tickle Me Elmo. This red fur ball tells jokes, plays games and keeps young children entertained. Although older children and parents may find Elmo extremely annoying and a bit creepy, it is still one of the best selling robot pets available. One of the most attractive features of a robot pet is the lack of care needed. A real pet needs food, exercise, water and love to thrive. A dog needs to be taken for walks and a cat needs a litter box that must be cleaned and changed for their personal needs. Real pets can become sick and require a trip to the vet and may need PetMeds. Robot pets only need new batteries and minimal care. These pets are ideal for anyone who lives in an area where it would be inconvenient to walk or care for a living pet. While robot pets may never take the place of a live breathing pet, they can be fun and a good choice if you’re not able to take care of a live pet.

The Roboco for the lonely nights

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Have you been complaining about how lonely you are? Have you been plagued by boredom with nobody around to have a decent conversation with? Well, if you have tried ringing up your friends and given up trying to persuade them to put up with a bore like you, then you need this perfect companion. It might appear to be a child’s playmate but trust me, the ‘Roboco’ will entertain you like no other. This interactive robot doesn’t, however, take an insult hands down. If it doesn’t like you it would only shake around and swing its arms. If you manage to pamper it crazy, it could even treat you with a melody, a fortune or a pretty digital smile on its LCD face. The choice is yours. Take home this cutie for $11 and enjoy its company. Via:gizmodo

Mitsubishi’s 10 Wakamaru robots hired

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It seems that day will come when robots will manage all the functions in robot-loving country Japan. Now, by availing the offer of Japan’s leading technology company Misubishi to replace front desks babes with their Wakamaru robots, People Staff the Nagoya-based temporary staffing agency has hired the fleet of 10 robots to function as dispatch workers so that they can be send out for work at businesses and other institutions in the Tokai region of central Japan. Vital specs: Wakamaru is 1-meter tall, weighs 30-kilograms and is covered with bright yellow shell. It runs via its wheels and was developed in 2003 by Mitusbishi, as a servant robot to perform household tasks. After appearing at the World Expo in Aichi in 2005 now, he is Japan’s most identifiable robot. Capabilities: The robot is capable to identify faces and can communicate by using its 10,000 words vocabulary. As Wakamaru can perform simple manual jobs as a front desk attendant, it can also perform numerous other functions in offices and hospital. It can thanks visitors for waiting, it can sing songs and can navigate visitors to reach their destination within premises. Service charges: To avail Wakamaru service users have to shell minimum 120,000 yen ($1,000) per day for short-term and as low as 3 million yen ($25,000) for one year. Nevertheless, one query is eating my mind that why company is looking ahead to spend such a massive amount when they can get young gorgeous babes for as high as for $10,000, I think the agency is looking ahead to paint their unique image worldwide by exploiting robots to accomplish their selected tasks and to impress their customers or visitors. Via: Pinktentacle

Cleaning Floors The Smart Way

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Keeping a house spick and span is challenging enough for most of us. Those who have glossy tile, parquet, or hardwood floors are often hard put to find the perfect solution to their cleaning woes. Maintaining the showroom quality of such floors, as well as the hygiene simultaneously is a tall order. Besides, who has the time to lavish such care on flooring anymore? The iRobot Corporation saw an opportunity in just that and came up with the iRobot Scooba five years ago. This little disc-shaped robot, which looks pretty similar to a bathroom scale, packs quite a punch. The working is quite simple. The Scooba stops over the area to be cleaned and sucks up all the dust and debris. It then squirts out a little cleaning liquid, scrubs the floor with it, and then sucks up the dirty liquid. There will only be a mild dampness on the floor. As most houses have underfloor heating, this dampness shouldn’t be a deterrent. Scooba does not require any programming as it uses sensor technology to figure out exactly which places need to be cleaned. And no, the Scooba won’t ruin your rug because it will go right around it. It certainly leaves behind a lot less water than a conventional mop, though areas with deep grouting might be slightly more problematic. The robot has different models to suit varying area and cleaning needs. The technology used is ideal for hardwood flooring. What is certain is that you will have a lot more time on your hands since the Scooba is there to sweep you cleaning woes away in a very literal sense.

Jesus Christ lizard: Robot that walks on water

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After assisting in, surgeries, rescue operations and other human-like works robots has marked another major breakthrough by defeating universal law that no one can walk on water. Yes, it is true because this basilisk lizard-like robot Jesus Christ lizard has made it happen for which Carnegie Mellon University researchers (CMU) gave their millions of years hard work to develop this highly advanced innovation, that is now finally accomplished. This Jesus Christ lizard runs across the surface of water with its flailing rear legs. I think this hi-tech robot should get NO-1 spot in aquatic robot segment. Via: Switched

Picobot: World’s smallest robot unveiled

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Robotics have come a long ways. Newer models of robots are constantly being equipped with new equipments, so that they can perform more tasks. The latest model and apparently the smallest robot in the world is the Picobot. As of now, the robot has not been assigned any specific functions. It has been equipped with sensors, camera, and GPS technology. I wonder what they are going to use this for. The robot has already taken the first step i.e. it has moved off the table! How exciting! With the binoculars, camera, and wires mounted on what seems to be a coin, the robot does have an interesting appearance. The video shows the robot with a blinking light moving around and is actually pretty funny. According to the developer Poor robot, this is apparently the smallest robot in the world. However, the technical specifications are not available yet. Until they release the specifications, I am going to stick to the other small robot Miniature Soccer Robot, which at least plays soccer. Unlike Picobot, soccer bot is about an inch high! Image Credit: Techeblog

How much money has the movie short circuit with Johnny 5 made since its release

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Hollywood movies gross millions of dollars every year. Movies entertain us all. Every time a Hollywood movie is released, people flock to movie theaters to watch the movie. The movie industry employs millions of artists across different fields of work- cameramen, spot boys, directors, producers, editors, singers, musicians, actors, and actresses. Who would not like to get a glimpse of a Hollywood heartthrob like Tom Cruise or George Clooney? Actresses like Angelina Jolie, Penelope Cruz, and Julia Roberts have ruled the movie screen for years. Let us talk about the Hollywood flick Short Circuit. This movie was released in the year 1986. It is actually a comedy science fiction movie that starred Ally Sheedy and Steve Guttenberg. The movie was directed by John Badham. Actors such as Austin Pendleton, Fisher Stevens and Tim Blaney lend voices to the robots in the movie. The voice of the robot “Johnny 5″ was given by Tim Blaney. Number 5 or Johnny 5 happens to be one of the many experimental military robots in the movie. Short Circuit won the coveted BMI Film Music Award in the year 1987. How much money has the movie short circuit with Johnny 5 made since it first went into theaters? The said movie became an instant hit with children as well as adults. A number of sequels to the movie were made later. Moreover, the movie also inspired a video game. The fans of Johnny 5 would be happy to know that this movie is all set to hit the theaters in the year 2011. What makes this movie so popular? Children have always loved to watch movies based on robots, supernatural creatures (Superman, He-man, Spider Man and Batman). Such movies paint a larger-than-life picture, and hence evoke interest in the audience. If you want to buy a movie DVD, and do not have money for the same, you can opt for cash loans online.

Robotic servants: extravagant & ridiculous

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Behold the glory of world’s first ever robotic servants. Is it that your worst fears of machines invading your homes have realized? Well, not quite! The robots that this post focuses on are completely harmless beings. They are only there to serve their owners, which you could classify as, provided you’ve got no scruples for spending your child’s college fund. Yes, these things are extremely pricey. MobileRobots, for years, has specialized in selling bots to businesses and production houses. Now it has shifted its focus onto home-owners with its mobile servants. These queer creatures come with weird names. The three models are named: ‘Jeeves,’ ‘BrewskiBot,’ and ‘Agent 007.’ (Not Bond for Heaven’s sake!) All the three come equipped with the usual specs. Heavy PatrolBot base, electric motor, wireless control, 12 sonar sensors, accessory tray, frig or camera etc. The price tag is hefty. Jeeves costs $30.995, BrewskiBot $31,995 and Agent 007 can be yours for $34,995. Installation of these automatons costs about $5,000. But they do come with a warranty of 1 year or 1,000 miles, whichever is earlier. What can these things do, you ask? The official site paints a very rosy picture and says these robots can: � Serve breakfast champagne. � Serve beers (in their own fridge). � Schedule trips. Isn’t that a delight! I mean you spend upwards of 30 Grand on these things and that’s it… except for Agent 007, which has a camera and can take pictures of your home, to let you know if you’ve left a door ajar. If you are stupid or alternatively rich enough to wanna buy any of these robots, MobileRobots is accepting orders for holidays. And on a parting note, is it only me or someone else too who finds the image on top cute? Via

NASA funds robots to study Arctic life-forms

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NASA has funded a reported $450,000 for three robots that are to be used in a mission to explore life near the hot springs under the ice of the Arctic ocean. These robots will be used to take pictures and collect specimens of living organisms along the tectonic boundary between Eurasia and North America. The robots will be used by researchers from “Cape Cod Hope” who will go on a 40 day mission in July. Although two of these (Puma and Jaguar) robots can work cable-free under ice and have the ability to go as deep as 3 miles under water and work almost near the bottom of the sea, their progress in this case, will be hampered by the extreme terrain and ice in the Arctic ocean. If the “pumas” and “jaguars” get stuck in the ice – thats it “Mission Over.” Image:engadget