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Posts Tagged ‘robots’

WowWee Rovio gets BlackBerry remote control app

By Chris Davies on Friday, Jan 16th 2009 No Comments

wowwee rovio blackberry control WowWee’s Rovio has now got a BlackBerry remote control app, courtesy of RoboCommunity member bbrovio. The software, which is still in its early stages, allows BlackBerry users to operate all of the main functions of the WiFi webcam ‘bot – including directional movement and head control – from their smartphone, while viewing “video” updates over the cell network. Right now, the video is only a few frames per second, but it’s enough to control the Rovio remotely.

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G-Dog Servo Robot Puppy

By Staff Editor on Monday, Dec 29th 2008 No Comments

G-Robots has created a tiny robot dog kit that actually seems like it would be a lot of fun. The kit appears to be fairly easy to assemble making it great for just about anyone. This robot’s movements are pretty amazing, it is able to get itself off of the ground with almost no trouble at all.

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The i-SOBOT takes home 2008 Robot of the Year Award

By Staff Editor on Friday, Dec 19th 2008 No Comments

Takara Tomy’s Omnibot 17μ i-SOBOT, has been recognized by Guinness as the smallest mass-produced robot of its kind and was crowned Japan’s 2008 Robot of the Year. The annual Robot of the Year Award was started by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in 2006 to promote development of robots in many industries.

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WowWee Rovio to get Skype control with RoboDance 5 app

By Chris Davies on Monday, Dec 8th 2008 No Comments

When we looked at WowWee’s Rovio last month, one thing we were certain of was its mod-potential. As of next year, one of the more ambitious hacks will go live: RoboDance 5, with added support for Skype. While setting up the Rovio’s WiFi webcam streaming currently requires a little router tinkering, RoboDance 5 will utilize Skype’s zero-config setup to instantly connect the robot and a remote client, whether that client be Windows or Mac, or even a smartphone.

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COM-BAT makes for a robotic surveillance wonder

By Brenda Stokes on Friday, Nov 7th 2008 No Comments

Now this is interesting. In order to improve surveillance options, new platforms are being researched, especially those that mimic things from nature. Take for instance this robotic spy plane. It’s only six-inches long, but it can use just about everything as a power source and could be used for monitoring all sensory perceptions in a combat zone.

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HPI G-Dog remote control canine robot

By Chris Davies on Friday, Nov 7th 2008 No Comments

Sony gave us the cute little AIBO; now HPI are giving us the Hound of the Baskervilles style G-Dog. The 37.5cm tall robot canine is powered by nine servos and a 7.2V rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery, and can walk, crawl, sit up and beg, and roll over onto its side.

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Video demo of the G-Dog after the cut

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WowWee Rovio prototypes revealed

By Chris Davies on Thursday, Nov 6th 2008 No Comments

It’s always interesting to see the various iterations of a gadget’s design, before it reaches the shelves in all its shiny splendor, and today it’s the family album of WowWee’s Rovio mobile WiFi webcam robot. Released at the beginning of October, the Rovio hasn’t always had its Stealth Bomber-style, as these balsa prototypes from RoboCommunity prove.

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DIY Telepresence Robot remotely controlled via Skype

By Chris Davies on Thursday, Nov 6th 2008 No Comments

Telepresence robots don’t have to look like a runaway drinks trolley - they can be cute little things, especially when you build them yourself. Instructables member Sparkyrust has done just that, with a Mac mini-powered mobile Skype robot using predominantly off-the-shelf parts.

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Check out the demo video after the cut

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Self-Balancing DIY Robot: video demo

By Chris Davies on Tuesday, Nov 4th 2008 No Comments

Two-wheels good, more-wheels bad. That’s the principle behind this self-balancing DIY robot, which uses similar principles to the Segway to scuttle about the room. The work of Italian programmer Nicola, the robot is based on an Arduino mainboard and gyros, together with a couple of motors capable of feeding back their position.

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Video demos of the self-balancing robot after the cut

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Tomy i-SOBOT robot reduced to $99.95

By Chris Davies on Saturday, Nov 1st 2008 2 Comments

If you’re looking for a bargain holiday robot, you could do a lot worse than the Tomy i-SOBOT. Originally priced at $300 when the 6.5-inch tall robot launched late last year, Hammacher Schlemmer currently have him listed at just $99.95. That gets you 17 points of articulation, 180 pre-programmed movements and voice-control from ten different verbal prompts.

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