Category: Robots
Robo-paparazzi the skin-seeking photog
Grad students at NYU have produced a robotic paparazzo that reacts based on how much skin the subject is showing. When it senses someone is mostly naked, it starts snapping away and shouting encouragement to become more naked. Probably…
Termibot: termite killing robot
Winner of the NextBigThing award for Health and Safety in 2007 is the Termibot, a 20cm high robot which seeks and destroys termites and similar infestations. It's also geared toward search and rescue missions in collapsed areas, as well…
LawnBott even puts itself away after the mow
With the proliferation of lawn-mowing robots, why should you even leave your house? Sit inside, tell the (for example) LawnBott to go out and manicure your green for you, and it even puts itself away after its done clipping….
Android Geminoid 'breathes' and has 'real hair'
Geminoid is an android that breathes, using compressed air, and responds to physical contact such as being poked. He’s been created as a robot double, to allow his human counterpart, Japanese scientist Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro (shown), to (for example) give remote presentations or lectures. Video after the jump, and more video from the BBC below. [GT]
Scientists to build robot society
To learn more about human society, the University of Abertay is building a robot colony in Dundee. Sixty robots will live together under observation (which we scientifically know will change the results) to allow researchers to introduce controlled elements and gauge the effects. Professor John Crawford said, “One of our key challenges in this research will be to identify and interpret these patterns of behaviour as evidence for an emerging robot culture.” [GT]
Review: WowWee Flytech Dragonfly – remote control flying insect
The propaganda WowWee, maker of humanoid droid Robosapien, also has a flying insect division and the Flytech Dragonfly is the result of its hard work. Forget your remote control planes or hand propelled gliders – this is a remote control…
Watch out – the robots are coming…
Will Head writes… Who's responsible if an autonomous robot shoots and kills someone? This, and other hopefully less scary questions, will apparently be answered at a public debate at the Dana Centre, part of London's Science Museum, tonight. Now, allowing…
Music robots roundup
You’ll say domo arigato to these musical Mr. Robotos who play everything from trumpet to DJ scratches. Also, if you missed the John Coltrane robot rendering be sure to add that to your Friday caffeine relaxation moments. Video of Georgia Tech’s “Haile” the drum player after the jump. [GT]
A Boybot and His Dogbot
Strolling along a path of purest basswood and pine, A Boybot and His Dogbot is a wooden automaton showing the tyke flying his kite on a very windy day. This one-of-a-kind piece was created by Dug North of pre-made…
Robot employed as sex club tout
Earlier, I was complaining about robots who just sit around and play video games. I didn't know when I was well off. Robots in Osaka, Japan are now touting sex clubs. Osaka law, banned touts from soliciting on the…