Georgia Tech has been developing a Lizard Robot that can bury itself under the sand (or a sand analogue) and navigate its way into hard to reach places. Very much like a sandfish, the robot is covered by a smooth skin (made out of sexy spandex) and can freely move its (aluminium) body segments
Some time ago, the RobotShop team decided to build a telepresence system. Usually, these kinds of systems are sadly limited to a web-cam and a screen on wheels, and are simply a glorified videophone. This is not the case at RobotShop since we love robots and are all for crazy projects. This is why,
iCub Robocub is a humanoid robot that looks like a "big" baby (one meter tall!). The result of a European project and fitted with more than 50 sensors, it was created with the aim of studying the cognition and learning of children. Be aware that this robot initially comes as an empty shell. I…
Event if China was absent from the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa, this did not prevent it from winning a different world cup: the soccer category of the robot Olympics. The Olympic Games for humanoid robots was organized by the Harbin Institute of Technology in China. 18 universities fr…
Robot Rodem is a new type of robotic mobile vehicle like a Segway because it can be controlled via body movements. It is mainly intended for people with disabilities and those elderly who are frail. But, it can also be used as an indoor vehicle for anyone. Rodem is steered either with a joysti…
Robo Pong by Newgy is a robot which can train you in table tennis by throwing the ball to you. Along the same principle as ball throwers in tennis, Robo Pong throws the ball to you at regular intervals. The big advantage of this machine is that it also retrieves the balls that you return to it …
A new world record, more fun than official, was just made in Kansas. A circuit with an electric line which resembles rails was arranged at the Station in Kansas City. 50 robots followed the line at the same for a few seconds. The circuit in itself was impressive too: no less than 122 meters! He…
According to Robotic Trends, the development project of a robotics park in Alabama is coming along nicely. The RTP robotics technology park, located in Tanner in Alabama (USA), already has a website at www.alabamartp.org. The construction is in phase 2. Phase 1 comprised of 68 000 square feet …
Nestlé already designed a robot called Nesbot some time ago in order to promote its Nespresso brand. It prepares coffee (espresso, 6 different flavors), serves it and moves among the guests! The start-up behind the design of this robot is Bluebotics. More information in the complete PDF…
Philips has also just released a robot vacuum model. Called HomeRun, it looks like a Samsung Navibot. Adaptable to any surface, it is best on tiles or hard surfaces. Its video camera allows it to see the room and surfaces to clean. With a 1.40 hour battery life, the HomeRun returns to its bas…
According to an article in Usine Nouvelle, the robotics market largely picked up in 2010 as opposed to 2009. Growth is very strong especially in industrial robotics. The large crowds at the Automatica 2010 exhibition in Germany confirmed the trend. Robotization in German is also stronger than …
A few days ago we told you about two new robots that have emerged in Japan: M3-Kindy and Noby. Noby is a humanoid baby that simulates a little baby aged 9 months. The purpose of this type of robot is to be able to study its interactions with humans in behaviors that resemble a real baby. The v…
This very special robot prototype is capable of climbing stairs by jumping. The same thing for the descent in which it absorbs the shocks by immediately positioning its chassis at ground level. The operation: 4 electric jacks allow this unusual feat. It's really ingenious and spectacular but it …
July 19, 2010, is a holiday in Japan (Marine Day which takes place on the 3rd Monday in July) and for the occasion this year a competition of cleaning robots on the beach (the 13th event focused on robotics) has been organized. What a great environmentally-friendly idea! The event is centered on …
Is Google going to offer mini robots controllable via Bluetooth for each purchase of an Android telephone? No, that's not the plan but it would be a good idea. Meanwhile, Hideyuki Takei and Reo Matsumura have created this small robot controlled via an Android cell phone. Really fun and success…
Electrolux has unveiled the concept of a bio robot refrigerator at the Electrolux 2010 Design Lab, which is generating chatter in the blogosphere. The idea of this cooler robot is based on a luminescent biopolmyer gel which surrounds individual items of food. The optimum cooling temperature of …
