A two feet tall robot that could move at the rate of ten miles per hour and spins on a dime wields a gun that with deadly accuracy blow a ten-inch hole through a steel hole from a distance of 400 meters. The robot is controlled by a remote over an encrypted frequency that jams nearby radios and cell phones.

Robotex, the manufacturer of the robot AA-12 that could replace human soldiers is based in Palo Alto. It is the brainchild of Terry Izumi, a reclusive filmmaker who worked for DreamWorks and Disney and even trained Secret Service agents.

In 2005, Izumi picked up Nathan Gettings, a former PayPal software engineer and founder of Palantir Technologies along with his brother Adam who was associated with both PayPal and YouTube. They also roped in Jerry Baber founder of Tennessee-based Military Police Systems, manufacturer and distributor of arms. Baber brought his $8000 Atchisson Assault-12 shotgun and his pilotless mini-helicopter called the AutoCopter, which holds two AA-12s to test the dexterity of the soldier-robot.

To the wonder and relief of the manufacturers of AA-12, the robot proved to be quite versatile. It could fire powerful FRAG-12 ammo and can handle non-lethal Tasers and even bullets that are deadly up to 120 feet but fall harmlessly by 800 feet.

The bot costs as low as $30,000 to $50,000 that is six times less than a similar one created by Foster-Miller. It now remains to be seen whether the defense establishments are prepared to pick up the unique soldier that could save thousands of lives lost on battlefields.

Image: baquia

Source: CNN

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

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

Don’t worry if you have left something on when you are away, as the robot will take care to keep any unused appliances off. Exceptional about this piece by Kim is the ability of the robot to change its facial colors, which expresses its emotions basically. YABO’s face is sphere, which isn’t that bad and can move left, right, up and down. Huh...have robots already started replacing humans!

Source: Core77

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

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Video

David Hanson, the genius inventor and father of ‘Frubber’ life-like robotic skin has introduced his 18 month-old son Zeno, who smiles as he is bound through his father’s restricted office. Zeno can learn and use your face and name, express artificial emotions and even make eye contact with humans and family pets. Sometimes, when I talk in the room, Zeno will look me in my eye and say ‘Hi’. Isn’t cool?

A group of engineers, designers and programmers at Hanson Robotics in Texas have created a 17 inch tall, 6 pound robot boy named him Zeno. Hanson will show this robot Zeno in front of 12-grade students at the Wired NextFest Technology conference.

Hanson claimed that Zeno has an interactive learning companion, a synthetic pal who can engage in conversation and convey human emotion through a face made of a skin like patented material, called ‘frubber’.

Unlike other robots, Zeno’s brain is not inside in it but its brain is wirelessly connected with a PC running a variant of Massive software. Zeno would be available within the next three years for $200 to $300.

Image: Cache

This eco-friendly and autonomous machine called ‘OLE’ can patrol throughout the forest at speed of 20 to 30 km per hour and exploits infrared and biosensors to detect potential forest fires to extinguish it subsequently via an impulse appliance.

The robot can roll up in a ball alike bug and can retract its legs when senses danger to function on its ceramic-fibre compound fire resistant shell that can endure 1,300 Degrees Centigrade temperature.

Thirty OLEs are being claimed by the researchers to be efficient to protect 2,700 square miles of forest area. Hope those wild animals don’t mind these OLEs strolling freely in their territory!

Via: Research-in-germany

Robots no more gets special treatment in Japan. Fuji Heavy Industries and Sumitomo have designed a Tondon robot that will now clean the apartments. Tondon robot features a special ‘Balinese’ paint job (means yellow with scribbles all over it) to go with the building it works in.

Tondon robot cleans everything from carpets to gutters with its heavy-duty brush/vacuum combo. Moreover, it can tour 14 floors without any without any grumbles requiring just the mandatory charge. The Tondon is currently assigned to clean hallway floors of a new 14-story Bali-themed luxury apartment complex in Tokyo without any supervision.

There are number of safety features that enable it to move freely from one to other without any hindrance. It uses an optical communication system to control the building’s elevators. Tondon also features a set of video cameras out of which four cameras record robot’s every move and hard disk that stores video feed. These cameras can also be used for the supervision thus, serving also a watchful security while cleaning.

Source: Pinktentacle

If you have always dreamt of lazing around on your recliner or in the pool, with a robot to take care of all the household chores, you have an ideal solution in the Wakamaru House Bot (Part II). However, the company says the bot isn’t ready for sweeping and cooking yet. For now, you must be content with its primary functionality - carrying drinks or newspapers and opening doors. And, the bot can also learn a few words if you teach him, (no slang if you don’t wish to run into trouble with mom). So, if you have an internet connection (yes! that’s mandatory) and can be content with its basic features, you can order your cutesy bot now...nah! I spoke too soon. For now, Mitsubishi is targeting only corporations. So, you will have to wait longer.

Via: engadget

This robotic truck measures around eighty centimeters in length and weighs twenty kilograms. The Halluc II runs on eight legs via special wheeled modules to move sideways, turn around in place and to drive or walk to combat obstructions until 12 centimeters. Moreover, according to the researchers, this prototype robot will assist security personnel’s in rescue operations and transportation for the mobility-impaired.

Different Modes:

In addition, the best part is that this monstrous truck comes packed with two different modes - Insect and Animal. In insect mode, the robot boycotts wheels and walks like an insect-like giant by extending its legs outwards whereas in animal mode, the machine keeps its legs beneath the truck to conquer tight areas.

How it functions:

The Halluc II functions via wireless LAN capabilities and system of cameras and sensors to detect and monitor the distance of potential obstacles and consecutively study the course to make the best use of its legs and wheels as per the terrain.

It uses 56 motors, 2 for each leg joint (3 joints per leg), plus 1 for each wheel. In addition, by bundling each joint with 2 motors it generates copious power for smooth ride and thanks to multi-motor control system, which is in fact a key component of Halluc II’s design.

The Halluc II will hit Tokyo’s upcoming Miraikan, beginning from August 1 to permit visitors to operate the vehicle via remote-control cockpit with a large screen that shows real-time video shot via an on board camera.

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Via: Technovelgy

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

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

Looks like Japanese toymaker Bandai has done it again. From its proud vault will be released thousands of millions of robotic bugs that will invade our homes. But don’t even think of smashing these up cause these babies are worth $10 (approx.) each.

Hex Bug series is one of the latest creations of this wonder company. This series is composed of an array of tiny bug-like robots that mimic real insects. Not only do they scurry around like the real things but even avoid obstructions of their own. A loud noise say a clap of a hand is all that is needed to make them change course at your command.

The Hex Bugs run on two button cell batteries and retail here for $9.99. Unlike some of the real insects, these robotic bugs manage to look really slick with their vibrant colors. Check out the video:

Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, you can touch these without any fear of nasty bites and/or picking up the accompanying infections. Finally robotics is moving in the right direction. After all isn’t this what it is all about? Making small fun objects and not some human-like AI that can take over the planet. Bugs we all can handle just keep that rolled up newspaper at hand.

Via

Taser International Corporation announced that they have teamed up with iRobot Corporation to produce a new generation of robots that will be capable of delivering a shock charge to people. As it is already visible, the robot can be used in sentry operations. May be these will be the new generation of robots carrying a weapon, non lethal for the time being, but seems that the fictions are going to come true.

In preliminary discussions it has been revealed that this prototype will be sold to police or military and will be used in situations where use of lethal weapons is not possible. In cases of demobilizing a suspect in everyday police operations or while pinning down a terrorist in military activities this prototype can be proved very useful.

For the time being this robot will require a human interfere in its operation. Before it tries to subdue a victim it needs a human instruction. But with the advancement of AI it is inevitable that sooner or later the software used will be smart enough to decide go along without fleshy interference. When this robot will be off the assembly line is yet to be decided. The first place of its deployment is also not confirmed. But its operations are confirmed and critics all over the World are worried about a probability of science fictions coming true. Can you sniff a Terminator 3: rise of machines story readers?

Source: Slipperybrick

Ants are simple beings, but when foraging they present complex structures which inspire interesting solutions in this field (Soft Computing)

Marco Dorigo
This is the main reason why Marco Dorigo has devoted his life towards the research work into ‘Ant Colony Optimization and Ant Algorithms‘ since last fifteen years. His work with robots imitating ant activities he has received a prestigious Marie Curie excellence award.

There are some works that can not be done individually, but with combination of several people, the job becomes quite easier. Ants exhibit a brilliant social structure in terms of foraging. The following figure depicts their behaviour in finding shortest route between food source and their nest. The following is the snapshot of a ground breaking experiment, named ‘Double Bridge Experiment‘ to cultivate the bio inspired behaviour of ants. This demonstrates how they find the right track by tracing pheromone trail density.

Part of the research works of Dorigo is being exploited in the project swarm-bots, where he himself is the coordinator of the entire project. The main idea behind this project is to show that robots can mimic some activities performed by social insects, like ants. These robots are capable of doing jobs by linking up in various ways that a single robot can not perform. Their usefulness and simplicity through hardware and software implementation are their most promising features.
These robots can be used in disaster management or in space environments, where using human being becomes too risky an operation. In his own lab IRIDIA Marco Dorigo is focusing on swarm intelligence research that involves the highly complicated swarm behaviour in the colony of social insects.

Source: ICT