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Posts Tagged ‘robots’

Recon Scout Robot can be thrown

By Brenda Stokes on Friday, Oct 31st 2008 No Comments

This is one piece of robotic technology I wouldn’t want to mess around with. And though it might not look very intimidating, this Recon Scout robot is definitely prepared to do some stealthy surveillance.

prison bot

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Robot grasshoppers could carry out future search & rescue

By Chris Davies on Thursday, Oct 23rd 2008 No Comments

Nature might once again educate robot design, as engineers Dario Floreano and Mirko Kovac of the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems in Lausanne turn to grasshoppers for the next generation of search and exploration devices. The pair noted that grasshoppers handle uneven terrain by hopping, clearing up to three feet at a time and avoiding climbing over rocks and other obstacles; small robots have the same problems tackling such terrain, and so Floreano and Kovac built tiny robots that can jump up to eight feet using spring-loaded legs.

robotic grasshopper 480x403

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WowWee Femisapien – A Dad’s Review [Updated with video]

By Chris Davies on Tuesday, Oct 21st 2008 No Comments

With the holiday season fast approaching, we’ve been featuring quite a number of toys here on SlashGear that, in our geeky opinion at least, are likely to be must-have items if you’re under the age of twelve. However, as self-confessed jaded cynics we turned to SlashGear’s latest reviewer, 8-year-old Tanner McBee (and his capable assistant and scribe, David McBee aka “Dad”). WowWee’s Femisapien has sashayed her way into many an adult reviewers heart over the past few months, but can she keep Tanner entertained?

Updated with video review from Tanner McBee himself.

kid tech femisapien 1 480x465

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WowWee Rovio Wiimote-control software: Video Demo

By Chris Davies on Friday, Oct 10th 2008 No Comments

WowWee’s Rovio WiFi mobile webcam is designed to be easily controlled at a distance via the webportal – however what if you want to operate the robot from close up? RobotsRule’s Robert Oschler has added Rovio functionality to the upcoming version of his free RoboDance app, meaning you can use a Nintendo Wiimote to control all of the robot’s features.

wowwee rovio wiimote control

Video demo of the RoboDance Rovio Wiimote control in action, after the cut

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Transforming remote-control Robot Truck

By Chris Davies on Thursday, Oct 9th 2008 No Comments

If you’re a sucker for remote control toys and you’ve got a soft spot for Transformers, Hammacher Schlemmer’s latest distraction might appeal. Converting from a 13-inch tall two-wheeled robot to a four-wheeled sports car or truck, a straightforward RF remote controls forward and backward motion together with 360-degree spins.

transforming robot car 1

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WowWee Alive Panda Cub is all sorts of cute

By Brenda Stokes on Tuesday, Oct 7th 2008 No Comments

promo panda We love robots here on SlashGear. That’s just a given. But the WowWee Alive Panda Cub is certainly interesting. Not to mention, pretty freakin’ adorable.

Normally when you hear the word “robot,” people tend to think of something with exposed wires, a bunch of metal parts and super strength. However, this Panda is fuzzy and cute. What a contrast, eh?

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WowWee Rovio Reviewed: Fantastic mobile webcam platform

By Chris Davies on Saturday, Oct 4th 2008 No Comments

The first full review of WowWee’s Rovio mobile WiFi webcam has gone up, and if you were hoping the news would be bad and save you from spending $299 on a must-have robot, think again. While we knew the tech specs were tempting – WiFi, poseable webcam, control either locally, from preset routines or via a web-interface – it turns out to be more than just a passing entertainment and suited to all sorts of robot experimentation.

Video demo of Rovio in action after the cut

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WowWee Rovio official site up; Ship date slips to December? [Updated]

By Chris Davies on Friday, Oct 3rd 2008 1 Comment

WowWee’s official site for the Rovio mobile WiFi webcam has gone live, with videos and other information about the web-connected platform. However, while it claims the robot is available now, the Rovio itself is proving difficult to find on any of the US sites linked to; in fact, the estimated shipping date from Hammacher Schlemmer has slipped to December 17th 2008.

wowwee rovio 1

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WowWee Mr Personality robot features in new demo video

By Chris Davies on Monday, Sep 29th 2008 No Comments

Back when WowWee announced their impressive Rovio WiFi mobile webcam, they also showed the creepy Mr Personality robot. Based on the same omni-directional platform as the Rovio and the Tri-Bot, Mr Personality is a gurning, giggling, wise-cracking “robot companion” with an LCD display for a face. I was hoping WowWee had forgotten about Mr Personality – because he scares me – but sadly not; there’s a new video of the monstrous beast in action in preparation for his imminent launch.

WowWee Mr Personality robot

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Spykee WiFi Erector Robot Video Demo

By Chris Davies on Wednesday, Sep 24th 2008 No Comments

The first user videos of the Meccano Spykee WiFi robot are beginning to emerge, demonstrating the open-source ‘bot in action. Courtesy of Sven comes this first clip, a full demo of Spykee in its constituent parts, then assembled and terrorizing some children. He also shows the internet interface, through which you can control Spykee from anywhere with a network connection.

spykee 1