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‘robots’ Stories

Giger DIY $10k walking robot [Video]

Chris Davies, Nov 4th 2009 Discuss [1]

Over at Let's Make Robots! Tyberius is showing off Giger, his two-foot tall DIY humanoid 'bot. A roughly 100 hour project so far, Giger runs embedded Linux and has both an integrated camera and WiFi, and apparently cost around $10,000 to build. Now that might sound like an awful lot - probably because it is an awful lot - but you can blame the pro-quality servos. Tyberius used Dynamixels RX-64 and RX-28 units, which come in at $300 and $200 each, respectively; however unlike cheap servos they put out a whopping 1,000 ounces per inch of torque. We're not sure what we like most about Giger: his classic Cylon-style eye, mean looking pincers, or how easily he segues from a butch fighting stance to a reasonably camp wave. Tyberius' next job is tightening up the dynamic balancing and getting the walking gait more natural; right now Giger looks a little drunk. Video demo after the cut Read The Full Story

Robo Garage Ropid running, jumping ‘bot [Video]

Chris Davies, Oct 28th 2009 Discuss [0]

Japanese robot manufacturer Robo Garage have been demonstrating their latest 'bot, and what distinguishes the endearing 38cm tall Ropid is its ability to not only run but jump 8cm into the air. Ropid is intended to demonstrate a new leg design, which uses a double-jointed "linkage belt" - each point of which can be independently locked for stability in different movements - paired with four gyro-sensors. Read The Full Story

WowWee RoboRover gets reviewed: cheap & cheerful [Video]

Chris Davies, Oct 16th 2009 Discuss [0]

While we'd love to say this is SlashGear's new intern, in actual fact it's a shot from the first review we've seen of WowWee's RoboRover. Announced at the tail-end of September, the RoboRover is WowWee's first robot to use tank-track style locomotion and, according to RoboCommunity member GWJax, they - together with the IR-based obstacle avoidance system - do a pretty decent job. Read The Full Story

WowWee Roborover and Joebot robots revealed

Chris Davies, Sep 30th 2009 Discuss [0]

Earlier this month we were lamenting the dearth of consumer robotics in 2009, and it seems someone at WowWee has heard our cries. The company has released preview information of two upcoming 'bots, the WowWee Roborover (left) and the WowWee Joebot (right), both with remote-control functionality as well as autonomous modes. Read The Full Story

OmniZero.9 robot storms to success in Japanese contest [Video]

Chris Davies, Sep 28th 2009 Discuss [0]

While at first glance the OmniZero.9 looks as though it's rocking the robot equivalent of Joan Collins shoulder-pads, in actual fact they're the 'bot's secret weapon for speedy transport. Capable of transforming from a walking upright robot to a wheeled truck, the OmniZero.9 can also lift and carry a person (as you can see in the video after the cut). Video demo after the cut Read The Full Story

Vstone launch Robovi-nano entry level ‘bot [Video]

Lynnsie Nguyen, Sep 23rd 2009 Discuss [0]

Compared to 2008, we've had something of a dry spell this year when it comes to consumer robotics. Japanese firm Vstone aren't exactly attempting to remedy this - their target is the prosumer or education market - but we're still embracing their Robovie-nano 'bot with open arms. Video demo after the cut Read The Full Story

KDDI iida Polaris robot concept [Video]

Chris Davies, Sep 9th 2009 Discuss [0]

Firmly convincing us that the Japanese get not only the best toys but the best concepts too, this collaboration between carrier KDDI and Flower Robotics - the iida Polaris - has just drooling with envy. Currently just a prototype - with "commercialization yet to be determined" - the iida Polaris has at its core a touchscreen cellphone which docks into a mobile robot "suit". Video demo after the cut Read The Full Story

Nokia N900 controls Meccano robot [Video]

Chris Davies, Sep 3rd 2009 Discuss [1]

There's a lot to like about the Nokia N900 already, but integration with Meccano's robotics kits is the icing on the cake. Unfortunately this isn't an official app, but the handiwork of one of the Maemo open-source advocates at Nokia, who can now be followed around his house with the robot and N900 playing music. Video demo after the cut Read The Full Story

Dasarobot Genibo dog-bot gets new video demo

Chris Davies, Aug 25th 2009 Discuss [2]

The demise of Sony's Aibo has left a big niche in the not-especially-useful robotic dog market, and that's a niche that Korean firm Dasarobot intends to fill. Their Genibo dog is already available from mainstream retailers in the country, and judging by the video demo after the cut he's capable of walking, flashing his tail and flailing his limbs. Video demo after the cut Read The Full Story

Japanese rescue robot saves people by eating them [Video]

Chris Davies, Aug 11th 2009 Discuss [0]

The push to send remote-control robots into dangerous environments in order to carry out search and rescue probably isn't going to be helped by people titling demo videos as "Human body shredding machine in Japan". Then again, we'd be lying if we said we didn't feel a slight shiver of trepidation at the thought of disappearing into that conveyor-fed maw. Video after the cut Read The Full Story

Sega Toys’ Yume Neko “Dream Cat” Venus: Robo-kitty gets an upgrade

Chris Davies, Jul 6th 2009 Discuss [0]

Long-time readers may remember Sega Toys' robotic cat that stole my heart, Yume Neko Smile; now the company is back with an upgraded version [pdf link] of the electronic-kitty. Yume Neko "Dream Cat" Venus is a life-sized Norwegian Forest Cat, with more possible movement than the original Smile version together with the ability to respond to your voice. Read The Full Story

Bandai 20-inch R/C Mecha Godzilla: all your robot monster dreams come true

Chris Davies, Jul 1st 2009 Discuss [1]

Sometimes, something comes along and simply unlocks a great chasm of "want" inside of you: this, friends, is one of those times. Bandai have created a 20-inch, remote controlled Mecha Godzilla, complete with full motion control, flashing lights and an authentically blood-curdling screech-roar. Video after the cut Read The Full Story