Semageek displays a setup to perform "magic" with an Arduino Kit. Arduino is an open-source robotic and electronic project (micro-controllers) for both hardware and software platforms. An object is levitated using the magnetic field produced by a magnet.
Easy: just take some parts from a Lego Mindstorms kit with some plastic parts. The legs are from a locomotion concept by Klann Linkage. They work in pairs by converting the rotational force of the motor into movement on both legs. Four gears in all make the eight legs move forward. http://www…
Humanoid robots are becoming larger and more capable, and the prices are dropping every year, contributing to the dramatic increase in popularity. Since we are privileged to have access to the most popular ones, including the Bioloid, DARwIn OP, Nao, and Robokind, we created the picture below so y
Pinokio Face Tracking Lamp Students from Victoria University (Toronto, Canada) created a real-life version of the Disney Pixar lamp and called it "Pinokio". This playful robot can detect and track faces and also express emotions using its movements and reactions. It uses servo motors to actuate …
New Apps on the MyRobots App Store Lynxmotion, the popular robotic kit manufacturer, just made all of their robotic applications available via the MyRobots App Store. Their applications are mainly used for controlling servo motors using their popular SSC-32 servo motor controller, and for makin
CIROS Robot Cuts Cucumber The Korean Institute of Science and Technology had the very good (read "terrible") idea of giving a very sharp kitchen knife to a robot and teaching it how to use it. Fortunately until now, CIROR, the knife-wielding humanoid robot, can only cut cucumbers with its new too
Nigel Ackland uses bionic hand to pour beer Nigel Ackland had the misfortune of losing his hand in an accident. He is now the proud owner (and tester) of a BeBionic3 robot hand. This bionic prosthesis senses the electrical activity in his arm muscles and activates gripping or wrist rotating a
HUBO holding a powertool We reported on the DARPA Humanoid Challenge before, but now we finally have a video that shows what would be the ideal winner of the contest, as imagined by the Universities behind the HUBO humanoid robot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3gnPp97jD8 Of course this is just…
Heartland Robotics, founded by Rodney Brooks as reported before, changed its identity to Rethink Robotics. And rethinking robotics they do as they recently released Baxter, a robot with common sense as they brand it. Baxter overview Baxter redefines industrial robots since it allows small an
Boston Dynamics' Cheetah Boston Dynamics' "Cheetah" robot just broke its own speed record. This in and of itself is quite an achievement, considering it was already the fastest legged robot in existence, but it also broke Usain Bolt's record (100m and 200m sprinting world champion)! The cheeta
CRX10 Educational Robot The CRX10 is designed to satisfy the demand for versatile, affordable and safe educational robots. This capable little rover is easy to use and links theory and practice in order to help students learn the principles of robotics. The robot includes wireless communication,
We all certainly love robots and we are thrilled to see new advancements in robotics. However, sometimes we wonder if humans have already gone too far in their quest to make ever more capable (and dangerous) robots. The "LaserSnake" illustrates well this well: LaserSnake Cutting Through Metal Res…
Kinect@Home Discerning shapes and recognizing objects takes humans several years to learn and it is an essential skill to survive and interact with the world around us. Machines also need to learn this important skill and although some researchers have made progress in recognizing objects, shap
Biotac Sensor Robots just gained a new sense: touch! Researchers from the University of Southern California, developed a sensitive robot finger that is filled with fluid and features a fingerprint just as human fingers do, they call it Biotac. As shown in the video below, they are usi
Curiosity on Mars The Mars Curiosity Mission is by far one of the most important robotic achievements of all times. Today, we got the first 360 degrees panorama from the rover and it is quite stunning. See it for yourself over at 360cities.net. Needless to say, NASA is very proud of their achi
Kuratas Ride-in Giant Robot The Japanese did it again. This time they are fulfilling the dream of pretty much any robotic geek: to have your own functional giant Battle Mech that can be piloted by a grown adult and used to cruise through the city and defeat all your arch-enemies. Suidobashi heavy…
