{ Robots }

Honda: On ‘Living With Robots’, A Documentary

Not many companies come to mind when thinking about robots, save for iRobot (the makers of everyones favorite vacuum robot: the Roomba). In fact, iRobot is the only one I can think about other than Honda. But even still, most people don’t know that Honda has it’s own robot. The fact is, the general population isn’t quite comfortable with a mechanical object walking around, interacting with our world, and it’s not actually… alive. Read more

{ Robots }

Fully Autonomous MIT Helicopter Finds Its Way With Lasers

The mega-nerds — and I say that in the most flattering way possible — over at MIT‘s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have a group called the Robust Robotics Group. The team has a brand-new toy that’s capable of mapping it’s entire surroundings while also navigating it’s way through it’s terrain without the help of the students. It’s basically a quad-rotor RC helicopter but decked out with the latest technology that would make Bill Gates envious. While I don’t think the robot has it’s own name, the science behind it does: RANGE (Robust, Aeirial, Navigation in GPS-denied Environments).

It is exactly what it sounds like. The “micro air vehicle” can navigate it’s way through GPS-denied environments like buildings, caves or even your parents closet. The heli also boasts other technical merit like a stabilization system and color sensing camera.

[Dvice via MAKE Online via MIT TechTV]

{ Robots }

SpiderBot. SpiderBot. Does Whatever A Spider Can.

So, I know what you’re thinking: SpiderBot? Really? I know, that totally wouldn’t sound good in the original SpiderMan theme song. But, yeah, I guess that’s all these rocket scientists could come up with. Regardless, the robotic lab at Ben Gurion University devised a robot that can do what a spider can: shoot web-like objects that stick to surfaces and crawl across the ceiling. Granted, it’s not as swift (or dashing) as SpiderMan and the web-like object aren’t really web-like at all — purely tethered plungers, but it gets the job done. Head past the break for the video. Read more

{ Robots }

Robot Barbie: Taking Over The World, One Girl At A Time

Robot Barbie is no laughing matter. She’s real, and she could probably kill you in .003 seconds. Called the “Barbie Strogg,” this topless Barbie doll is one of many robots created by Flickr user Mario Caicedo Langer. He usually makes cute looking robots, like this or this, but come on; where’s the fun in that? Plus, being of age, I think he always wondered what it would be like to actually “play” with Barbies. I’m glad that day finally came.

[Barbie Strogg via BBG via Bot Junkie]

{ Robots }

Realistic-looking Robot Arm Makes Sushi, Bad Dreams

Personally, I’d rather have a real chef making my sushi — and I don’t even like sushi. The first robotic arm is so realistic looking that it kinda creeps me out. Maybe if DENSO, the engineers who made this scare-fest, actually built the rest of the body I’d be fine with it. But, no. It’s all plastic and mechanisms and stuff with silicone fingers and skin and — ugh. To me, it’s kind of like the hand that would run around in the Adams Family, only with added plastic. -1 for the robot apocalypse.

The only thing I can see positive about these realistic hands is the actual engineering going on behind the scenes. The fingers are controlled by air pressure. It’s so gentle that it doesn’t even squish a strawberry. How sweet.

Hey Denso, can’t you just call Emeril?

[via Engadget]