DON-8r Robot

Props to robot designers for finally coming out with stuff that can make a difference, not that robotic factory arms and mechanized food processing and and and... Whatever man, this thing is cute. It's designed on the principle that many organizations depend on charitable contributions for their operating budgets. Usually it takes legions of volunteers to collect these donations, but in our modern world such tasks can be done with robots just as well. Not to mention that people get annoyed with panhandlers. Enter DON-8r bot, designed by Tim Pryde. There's even videos after the break.

"I developed DON-8r as a device to get people more personally involved with raising funds for charities. I was inspired by the increasingly negative attitude that many people have towards on-the-street charity workers. Rather than approaching them and supporting their charity, people will often go out of their way to avoid them. DON-8r is my response to this, an engaging and approachable robot that raises money for charities through encouraging playful and empathetic support from strangers and passers-by."

DON-8r is constructed from smooth plastic panels, it glides along the ground for a set length and then stops to ask passers by for donations. The coinage deposited into the slot on his back helps to power the bot, and he won't roll on without the continued support from passers by. This little robotic panhandler is designed to be branded with any chairty of choice.

Tim Pryde is a student of the University of Dundee in Scotland in his final year. He teamed up with the Dundee Science Centre and produced this cute little bot to raise awareness for the center and to collect DON-8tions. He will be exhibiting his bot at the following shows:

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design Degree Show, Dundee 21 – 29 May 2011

New Designers, London 6th – 9th July 2011

And just for fun, here's an early video he posted of the GUTS! We love robot guts, and robots in general. If you want to read more about the design process, Tim's chronicled the whole process in his blog.