Robots - SlashGear

‘robots’ Stories

Australia to test ‘tour guide robot’

Mark Raby, May 24th 2012 Discuss [0]

If you thought navigating through crowded museums was a hassle right now, just wait until you have to watch out for speeding robots that people are able to control from anywhere in the world. Okay, so that's kind of a sign of where the future may lead, but for now, the idea of bringing in a robotic creature into an Australian museum will have a tepid presence, and its accessibility will be limited to school children. Read The Full Story

12.5ft tall mecha partially controlled by Kinect

Ben Kersey, May 10th 2012 Discuss [0]

Everyone is trying to find all sorts of creative uses for Kinect: 3D mapping, motion controls... but what about as a glorified remote control? Suidobashi Heavy Industry is building a 12.5 foot tall robot weighing 4.9 tons that partially relies on Microsoft’s Kinect system. The robot itself utlizes the V-SIDO system for controls, but the Kinect is used in the cockpit, detecting the pilot’s head movements and turning the body accordingly. Read The Full Story

Robot butt is creepy and terrifying and no

Ben Kersey, May 10th 2012 Discuss [0]

Japan, we need to talk. It’s not me, it’s you. I love that you’re into this whole robot thing, but don’t you think you’re taking it a step too far? The latest development from the Land of the Rising Sun is a pair of robot buttocks called Shiri, designed to “represent emotions with visual and tactual transformation of the muscles.” The robot ass can detect when it’s been touched (or slapped) with the “muscles” responding accordingly. Read The Full Story

The driverless cars that want to run Google off the road

Michael Crider, May 8th 2012 Discuss [0]

Google gets a lot of digital ink for its driverless car program, which recently got the go-ahead to expand its testing to Nevada highways. But Mountain View isn’t the only horse in this race. New start-ups and old standbys are preparing the cars of the future, and they all want a piece of the driverless car market. Here are five competitors to Google’s program, all trying to be king of the road.

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Panasonic testing Head Care Robot at salon

Rue Liu, May 1st 2012 Discuss [0]

Panasonic has begun testing a hair washing and scalp massaging robot in Japan. This so called Head Care Robot is currently being trialed at the Super Hair Seo salon in Nishinomiya, near Osaka, where customers can go try out the robot until June 10. Read The Full Story

Watch this: Prometheus viral introduces us to David

Ben Kersey, Apr 17th 2012 Discuss [0]

We’re not going to lie to you: we’re stoked for Prometheus, the upcoming prequel to the Alien movies, directed by franchise helmer Ridley Scott. We saw the first viral video back in February, a TED talk by Weyland Industries set in 2023, and the latest has been released today. The video, entitled “Happy Birthday David!”, shows an interview with David (played by Michael Fassbender), a predecessor to the androids seen in Alien and Aliens. Read The Full Story

Scientists build robot with muscles and joints

Mark Raby, Apr 14th 2012 Discuss [0]

The next time you see someone doing the dance "The robot," it might not be accurate in the world of modern robotics. Scientists at the University of Sussex, the University of Belgrade, and the Artificial Intelligence Lab of the University of Zurich have been working on a new humanoid robot that has muscles and joints, just like real humans. This means their movements won't be as rigid as everyone has come to expect from robots. Read The Full Story

Qbo robot up for pre-order on April 18th

Ben Kersey, Apr 12th 2012 Discuss [0]

We know that you’ve all be waiting for the adorable little Qbo robot, and you could have one in your hands very soon. The open source robot will be available for pre-order on April 18th on the TheCorpora website (the store will go live on the same day). The robot is designed to be tinkering and experimented with, being powered by Linux and some x86 internals. Read The Full Story

Navy deploys robot helicopters to spot pirates

Rue Liu, Apr 9th 2012 Discuss [0]

The US Navy is planning to deploy robot helicopters to help scan the seas for pirates. The Office of Naval Research recently detailed the new system it calls Multi-Mode Sensor Seeker (MMSS), which involves high-definition cameras and sensors along with 3D imaging laser-radar, or LADAR, technology. Read The Full Story

Drexel University students create robotic Beatles band

Mark Raby, Apr 4th 2012 Discuss [0]

If you ever wondered what classic Beatles tunes would sound like if they were played by entities that show no human emotion, you could always just listen to Paul McCartney. Nah, but seriously, a group of students at Drexel University's Music and Entertainment Technology Lab (MET-lab) have created an autonomous group of robots that can not only play instruments in time to a musical score but can also sing in synthesized English speech. Read The Full Story

MIT project envisions custom 3D-printed robots

Rue Liu, Apr 4th 2012 Discuss [0]

A new project led by MIT researchers envisions a future where you can three-dimensionally print your own custom robot at a "Robot Kinkos." These robots could help with household tasks or be great for keeping pets or children busy. And you don't need to be a robotics expert to make your own. A program with templates and task categories would help you design a robot to suit your needs. Read The Full Story

UK researchers work on disease-detecting nano-robot

Mark Raby, Mar 30th 2012 Discuss [0]

Scientists at the UK's Newcastle University and the National Science Foundation in the United States are working on a new kind of robot. Not the kind that will wake you up and present you with the paper and a cup of coffee in the morning, but one that could literally swim around inside your body to get the most in-depth analysis possible when you start to feel sick, or even detect symptoms for serious disease even if you don't feel any different. Read The Full Story