Some time ago, Aldebaran Robotics launched their developer program for their popular Nao humanoid platform. The idea is to prepare the little robot for mass commercialization by releasing it to a select group of developers who will create applications for it. The robot is sold to the devel
From RobotShop we wish you all a happy new year. May 2011 be filled with all the robots you always wished to have. If you are looking for creative and original ways of celebrating the new year, the THKR-4 is a very good choice to have at your New Year's party. This robot is one of the competito
So far Robots have been programmed to avoid things when navigating in their environment. Sébastien Lengagne of Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Tsukuba, Japan developed a method for robots to use objects (which would otherwise be seen as "obstacles")
Nao, by Aldebaran Robotics, has been busy this holiday season and prepared some cool presentations for us all to enjoy! Below, its official holiday greeting. Robots can have the jitters too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqZHkxbiXWA After conquering its stage fear, Nao was able read A Chri
Aldebaran announced recently an update to the very popular Nao. The little robot has now a more robust body, longer curved arms that allow for further reach, an improved motion engine that allows for smoother movements, a cooler head with better heat management, improved speech recognition
Many new things happened at Willow Garage recently. So let's go ahead and have a look at all the awesome news. ROS Turns Three The Robot Operating System celebrated its third anniversary. It has come a long way since its beginning and should go even further in the future. See the video below for
For quite some time now, Festo, a leading pneumatics company, has been innovating in the robotics field by creating impressive and very unique robots inspired by nature. The video below, is a good summary of their innovative work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X5KdVS1LFk Make sure you also hav
HRP-4C, HRP-4's older sibling, did a nice dance demonstration along with some human fellows. The female robot comes from the well known humanoid robot family made by Kawada. Although the HRP-4C is by far the most human-like of the family, it still has a long way to go in facial expressions, moti
Smithsonian Museum curator Roger Launius among other scientist and historians, argue that humans will eventually need to colonize other planets in order to prevent extinction from a massive catastrophe, and since the Earth resources is likely not going to be sufficient for our increasing
Core Biped Transport Robot The Core project, by fuRo, the Future Robotics Technology Center, consists of a very large biped robot that can carry up to 100 Kg. It is meant to be a human transportation vehicle but we can envision how it could become a three meter tall rampaging humanoid quite easi
Kawada industries unveiled their next generation of humanoid robots. The HRP-4 is leaner (much leaner), more flexible, and faster than its predecessors. Kawada HRP-4 The new robot is 1.5m (~5 feet) tall and will sell for 300 000 $. Although this might seem expensive for the average robo
Aldebaran's Nao keeps making progress and, as depicted in the video below, was able to register by itself in this year's RobotCup. The video below illustrates a rehearsal of the registration process where Nao introduces himself and presents the required forms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b
Nao Close-up Nao keeps making headlines and becoming more and more popular. The little humanoid has been featured on Fox News. As reported by the anchors, University of Hertfordshire is developing the robot's response to human emotions. This aims to create better communication between robots
Marvin From The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy This Japanese robotic ice cream making machine must be the most expensive and slowest way of making ice cream. One can imagine that if the robot big (actually huge) head is filled with computational power, it must be a very bored and depressed rob
DLR-Biped Schematics DLR's Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics unveiled the DLR-Biped a walking biped platform that could very well become Justin's legs (given they can support its weight). This outstanding platform was developed in a mere 10 months and uses technology borrower from previo
Telenoid R1 Frightens Humans Hiroshi Ishiguro is a master of creepy robotics, and now has managed to produce the creepiest robot by far: Behold the Telenoid R1. The robot is intended to be a telepresence companion that will emulate the facial expression and body gestures of the human cont