6-Legged Walking Robot Could Make You A Superhero

This walking hybrid human-machine is powered by fluidic muscle actuators, which helps reduce the friction and fatigue while navigating the bot to your destination of destruction. The legs of the bot are controlled with the users legs. When the human user lifts their right leg, the bot lifts the appropriate legs needed for smooth movement.

Robot Sports

Putter Bot Remote Controlled Golfer is certainly a good start. It may not be a fully automated robot per se, as it needs a human to command it. Let’s face it, the robot is doing most of the work.

It is designed to line up the shot, and then the user can adjust the swing with whatever amount of power he or she requires. As you can see, it moves around on two triangular tracks that it must have borrowed from Number Five from Short Circuit.

Much of the information I have on this shows that this is someone’s little home project, but I don’t have a name. Personally, I think he has the next remote control toy sensation. That, or what would happen if Tiger Woods lost his arms in a tragic car accident. Perhaps this inventor should design something for long drives as well.

Trossen Robotics offer new MechRC Humanoid Robot

Trossen Robotics will be making available its new MechRC Humanoid Robot to the masses in the US, and parents can breath easy since this Christmas present won’t break the $1,000 barrier in terms of pricing. That doesn’t mean it is affordable for everyone though, since it is still pretty pricey at $599.99 – definitely not an impulse purchase considering how everyone else is tightening their wallets to weather the current global economic meltdown.
High torque metal gear servos, LiPo batteries for longer run times, a fluid 3D visual software programming interface for easy custom motions, and a remote control unit are included. Everything you need to have you own walking robot is included in this ready-to-walk kit! With over a hundred pre-installed motions and sounds you can get this robot throwing some dance floor shapes or some killer fighting moves straight from the box.

Telepresence Robot

The Anybot telepresence robot is a videophone with a bit of a difference. The screen and phone are incorporated into a 2 wheeled human sized robot.

Like a Segwat the Anybot uses the same sort of technology to always remain upright even when bending (I’m guessing this is so it can look down on your minions even when you’re away from the office).

It has a top speed of 6 MPH, a built in laser pointer (maybe a gun in later versions), 2 cameras and full duplex audio. It’s a cool idea but somewhat big brotherish IMO.

The Machine bOb battery bot

These are designed by Wayne Poulton who created both Machine bOb who is shown here, as well as his protector Machine PP3. Machine bOb is said to be a skittery little guy, who can wheel his way across your desk. All the while lighting the way with his bright eyes. To keep him out of trouble though you’ll want PP3, which was the first of the designer’s creations. You can pick them both up for the same price on Anti-Gravity. They’re sold for £9.99 each.

Robot Money Box guards

This is where the Robot Money Box comes in. When you put money in the bank, it can actually keep track of how much you put in. I’m not certain how it does this. I doubt it has advanced sensors or anything. Perhaps it can somehow counts as you put it your coins or dollars in.

Another feature that makes the Robot Money box different from your average piggy bank is that it praises you for saving money. Not only that, but you can make target goals for saving, and it will encourage you for making them.

There is one other feature that my source and the Product Page are very vague about. Apparently, the Robot Money Box “may even try to stop you if you try to take anything out”.

Solar Climbing Orangutan

Want to have a toy that goes on and on and on without the use of Energizer or Duracell batteries? That’s not a problem with the Solar Powered Orangutan, although it does look like a carved out piece of Lego from certain angles. All you need to do is set this Orangutan on a piece of string, expose it to some light and voila – it will get to work, climbing up to the very pinnacle according to its ability. You will need some assembly with this toy though, and it will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete the whole setup. The only tool you need? A simple screwdriver. $14.99 is the asking price for this piece of mindless fun.

Robot Gardeners

The students and researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have created robots that can tend tomato plants. The plants are equipped with soil sensors and they can network with the robots, allowing them to communicate when they need water or nutrients.

No human is required for this robo-gardening operation. The robots have watering pumps and arms that can gently pick cherry tomatoes.

The goal of this project is, of course, to “develop a fully autonomous greenhouse”, so there are robots and plants that are connected together by computation and communication.

Robot Model HRP-4C

Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology did when they unveiled the HRP-4C.

As you can see, it is 5 foot tall, weighs about 95 pounds, but I don’t know her bust/waist/hips measurements. They made her to look lifelike, and I thought she was real at first glance. She reminds me of Faith from the Mirror’s Edge video game.

It would appear that this HRP-4C is going to have a test run as it is going on the runway during Tokyo’s five-day fashion show. I wonder how it will walk with a book on its head.

Asimo - lets Control via mind

Honda has finally created the world’s first Brain Machine Interface. All a user needs to do is sit with some skull cap interface on, and (electroencephalography) EEG and NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) sensors can detect your thoughts and transmit them into action for Asimo.

ApriAttenda - Robot Assistant

ApriAttenda robot, which is intended to assist the elderly. This little one-meter tall robot has the astromech droid appearance of R2D2, but with the arms of C3PO.

Its arms are versatile, and can open doors and refrigerators, as well as handle things that senior citizens might not be able to lift anymore. You have to wonder if you are looking at an age where the elderly are being cared for by robots.

Robot Spiders - Explore the Sea

robot is designed to work independently and underwater. As you can see, the apparatus has four propellers for stabilization, and some arms too.I’m not certain what sort of projects that they have in mind for them, but deep sea exploration would be a good job, if it wasn’t for the pressures of deep water.

Raphael Robotic Hand

Raphael (Robotic Air-Powered Hand with Elastic Ligaments) is a hand made of transparent plastic fingers, equipped with rubber knuckles. These knuckles are like accordions, and compressed air causes them to “flex”.

Microcomputers
in this robotic hand allow each finger to figure out how strong to flex. If you want a demonstration of Raphael’s selective strength, watch this YouTube video after the jump. You can see that Raphael can hold a light bulb and an egg as easy as delicately as a human can.

ROBOTOPS: One Constructive Robot

ROBOTOPS from Japanese company Tadano Ltd. bears a strong resemblance to the aforementioned people-snatching robots from the well-known Warner Brothers science fiction franchise, but this robot is designed for construction, to pick up very heavy objects such as girders and the like.

In fact, it has a high quality three-chip CCD camera, so it can be operated from a distance. In fact, it can go places that humans cannot go with 29 functioning joints, tank treads, hydraulic lifting legs as well as its grabby arms.

Flossie - the Motorcyle-testing Robot

Flossie was developed by technicians at Castrol, and is designed to test out throttle response, gear shifting, and clutch drag. She (should I call it a she?) does this on a stationary bike, mind you, so she doesn’t ever go on the open road. Catch a video of it after the jump.

So you can relax, because you won’t be seeing any robot motorcycle gangs, yet. Besides, everyone knows that robots use rider-less motorcycles, like the type seen in Terminator Salvation.

Of course, this does raise the question of is it possible to teach a robot the balance necessary to ride a bike. Well, if you’re going to do that, then you’d better give Flossie a head with some cameras, or something.

RIBA robot nurse

The RIBA robot nurse is definitely a step in the right direction. Patients who wake up from a nasty accident to see RIBA tending to them might get a shock, thinking that they are in another parallel universe at first – after all, ugly nurses are one thing, but a robotic bear nurse? That’s totally whacked out! RIBA stands for “Robot for Interactive Body Assistance” and was developed by researchers at Japan’s Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) and Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd. (TRI). It’s main purpose would be to assist nurses by lifting patients in and out of their beds and wheelchairs, alongside providing assistance on and off the toilet. The 180 kg robot bear can handle weight of up to 61 kgs, and was designed after a bear to put patients at ease instead of a more human-looking model.

Robot obeys its Human's thoughts

Inventor Taku Ichikawa of the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo is creating this robot for the Robo-One contest in Toyama, Japan.

The Robo-One is sort of a battlebots style competition, and I suppose that thoughts really are the best interface for that. Unfortunately, this is about all the information my sources have about this.

In other words, I have no idea if the user has to “think real hard” in order to get this robot to move, or if thinking about other things will distract the robot as well as the user.

A thought based interface is probably the best choice for any type of robot manipulation. It’s a lot better than that keyboard that the bad guy used to control Deadpool in at the end of that Wolverine movie. I mean, he has to type in “DECAPITATE” for crying out loud.

Power Loader Exoskeleton can lift 220 pounds

This Power Loader (named after the once-imaginary construction equipment/armor from James Cameron’s classic) has 18 electromagnetic motors that allow its user to lift 220 pounds. Unfortunately, it actually weighs 500 pounds, and moves slowly on its hydraulic feet.

Activelink expects to have this Power Loader out helping relief crews soon, but not until 2015. Hopefully they will have a less bulky model by then, but I don’t think it will be in construction yard yellow like Ripley’s. I’m liking the silver color on this Power Loader

Hoya Robot able to go into burning buildings

Hoya is a rolling robot that resembles the Sony
Rolly, and travels at one foot per second. It has a range of 54 yards, and can transmit images of what is inside. It also has onboard lights to illuminate its path, and it can check a burning building for temperature, smoke, and gas.

The Hoya can withstand temperatures of up to 320 degrees Fahrenheit, is water resistant, and can withstand drops of six feet. It can operate up to 30 minutes without charging.

The Hoya robot took two years to develop with help from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, and 50 fire stations in Korea are planned to receive 100 units for testing.

If this works, I would like to know how many lives this robot saves per year. I would also like to know how to get the Hoya up a flight of stairs.

Ropid Robot can run and jump

Ropid is the creation of a Kyoto based group known as Robo Garage, and it has the ability to run and jump. By the way, the robot is programmed to jump with a vocal command. In other words, if you say “jump”, then the robot may not say “how high”, but it will jump as high as it can, which is 8 centimeters high.

That’s not bad considering Ropid measures 38 centimeters tall, and weighs 16 kilograms. The robot has 29 joints and four gyro-sensors, and is powered by a lithium-ion battery. By the way, the vocal commands will also run when you tell it to run, and stop when you say stop. Now if it could run and jump, perhaps it could beat the Olympic long jump record.

Wall Climbing R/C Insect

This rechargeable remote-controlled “space insect”, as they have decided to call the toy, is capable of climbing the ceiling, walls, mirrors, windows or just about any other surface.
* Running Forward, Backward, Left Turn, Right Turn
* Dimension: 133 x 150 x 38 mm
* Weight: 46 g
* charging up by the remote control
* Requires for Transmitter: 6xAA batteries (not included)

Mini Solar Powered Car

Mini Solar Car is a tiny car which has a motor in it allowing it to work when under sunlight or bright artificial light. It measures just 33 x 22 x 14 mm and basically goes when the sun comes out. Its main use is to demonstrate what solar power can do to students. It is a shame that it isnt RC as that could be quite cool using a small solar powered RC car that you didnt have to charge every 5 minutes.

Robot Calculator

The Robot Calculator is more then your average calculator. For starters, it’s shaped like an older looking robot from years ago. Also, it features a magnet which can hold paper clips, has a note holder to keep your reminders safe and visible and has moving hands and feet. The calculator can either stand, lay flat of lay angled by bending it’s arm a little. For those who want to work late in to the night there is a detachable push button night light. Of course, among all these extra features there is a calculator built in there too with the keys running across the robot’s chest.

EI-E Laser Guided Robot Cleans up for You

This robot is perfect for me as it does what you tell it to do. The EI-E is laser guided and cleans up for you. It works by you using a laser pointer. With the laser pointer you just point the green dot at an object, the robot has an interface which detects the green laser dot, estimates a 3D position and then moves towards that location to pick the object up.

Robots to Replace Doctors

In New Zealand, researchers are getting quite excited at creating robots that will replace Dr’s and some of their lower tasks to keep their workload smaller. The robots will be programmed with the ability to take blood pressure, heart beat and helping patients in letting them know what’s happening and why they are waiting around for hours on end with no answers from the Dr’s.

A new robotic research lab was opened in Auckland which will provide the path to a more automated health service. These robots will be able to interact with patients as they use speech recognition tools to communicate allowing the patients to feel “more at ease” with these robots. $1.8 million has been put forwards for this research along side another 3.7 mil from the Korean side who is working on this joint project.

I am not convinced about this though. Would you really want a robot walking or rolling up to you and introducing it’s self as your Dr? I think it will be a while before I’d trust the system.

Anaconda Robot Fire Fighting Snake

This snake you see here is named Anna Konda. It is a robotic snake that has the job of putting out fires. It measures 3 meters long and weighs a fairly hefty 75 kilos.

Water powers this snake which has 22 joints with 33 degrees of freedom. Moving of the joints is done by two hydraulic valves and cylinders which can be found at each of the 22 joints. This allows it to pretty much move in to most places with ease. Water pressure that it can force out is pushed at a hefty 1450 psi.

The snake robot is not completely free of cables though as it needs to have a constant water feed provided to propel it along as well as keep the water moving around its body so that it can safely move around in very high temperatures.

SteamBot – A Steam Powered Robot

This robot requires no electricity to run. Instead, it uses steam that is created inside it’s belly. To get it working you put water inside by taking it’s head off. Once watered, you slide in a tiny Esbit fire in to it’s belly which warms the water up. When steam is eventually created you spin the red wheel on it’s back which then sets the robot walking… at a snails pace.

A tiny copper Wilesco steam engine is built inside that provides the necessary things needed to power it. With it being steam powered it does take a few minutes to warm up before use… and as can be seen in the bottom of the two videos below, it’s hardly got any speed to it. The principle is quite cool though.

300 of these Steambots were made, so they are very limited edition.

Solar Frightened Grasshopper

The Solar grasshopper comes in kit form and has been built to show people what alternative energy can do. It requires no batteries with it being solar powered and can be put together in minutes as the few parts that are needed just snap together.
Solar Frightened Grasshopper Features

* Robotic Grasshopper is very afraid of the sun
* Apply light to the solar cell on the back of the grasshopper for jumping vibrating movement
* Simple Assembly Required
* No batteries and tools required and less than ten parts to snap together.
* Assembled Size : 49mm x 26.8mm

Automated Robot Fish to Monitor the Oceans

British researchers have created some robotic fish that were designed to jump in to the see around Spain and monitor pollution levels in the waters. The robotic fish measure 1.5 meters in length and are fully automated.

The robot fish mimic how real fish move and will navigate around the oceans. Sensors are attached to the fish that can detect oil spills, mercury and other dangerous materials that could polute the waters. To pass the information back the fish is equipped with a wi-fi connection that keeps in in contact at all times. 5 of these fish will be deployed in Spain’s waters next year over at the port of Gijon. If they succesfully work and don’t break down etc… then they could start being used in various sea locations around the world.

The fish cost £20K each and aim to tackle the problem of stuff being intentionally dumped in to the sea.

Robotic Arm Kit

The Robotic Arm Kit has 5 axis of movement that can be controlled by a wired remote control.

Command the gripper to open and close, wrist motion of 120 degrees, an extensive elbow range of 300 degrees, base rotation of 270 degrees, base motion of 180 degrees, vertical reach of 15 inches, horizontal reach of 12.6 inches, and lifting capacity of 100g. whew! An LED spotlight on the gripper illuminates your work. Soon you’ll be creating your own tiny union-free automobile assembly line.

As this robotic arm is a kit, it requires you to build the thing first. The parts do not require any soldering but you will need to follow the step by step instructions carefully which will take you a couple of hours to complete.
Robotic Arm Kit Features

* Build your own fully functional Robot Arm
* Features 5 motors with 5 axes of movement
* LED Spotlight on gripper illuminates your work
* Wired remote controls all arm functions
* Assembly Required (About 2 hours. No Soldering Needed)
* Lifting capacity of 100g
* Uses 4 x D Batteries (not included)

Solar Powered Robot Kit

The DIY solar powered robot kit allows you to make 6 robots from the 1 kit. The kit is designed to be an introduction in to robotics and comes with all the parts needed to make the 6 robots.

The 6 robots that can be made include a robotic dog, boat, moving plane, car, windmill and a desktop plane. The kits are designed for various ages and are simple to put together with no screws needed. 25 parts are included in the kit.

Self-Portrait Machine

The Self Portrait Machine is a gadget that forces you to draw yourself. The unit has a camera which captures a picture of yourself and when ready to proceed you put your hand in to some straps, grab a pen and you are then forced to draw a picture of the photo just taken.

I found some the relationship between human and machine are amazing and could be horrible (like this one that shows how we human invent machines then put human inside to it to manufacture goods), The final object – A machine is a miniature of what I understand through the process of research, and the aim of the machine is to let people have a chance to feel the condensed process of how we generate our self identity from external point of view as from the society, which is a big machine we all in.

Remote Controlled Buzz Lightyear

Buzz Lightyear is the famous character from the Toy Story movie that first came out in 1995. 14 years later you can now “almost” get yourself a Buzz Lightyear remote controlled toy.

The Buzz Lightyear remote controlled toy measures 16″ in height and is fully programmable allowing you to control it’s hands, head, arms and legs. Sensors can be found on Buzz which can detect motion and sound.

It will be launched at Toys-R-Us, Walmart and other similar retailers this fall and cost somewhere in the region of $130 – $150.

Roomba Art

Roomba Robot Vacuum cleaners normally have the job of cleaning the carpets of your home and then docking to charge ready for the next scheduled task of cleaning your carpet again. Well, that’s what I thought till I came across this funky flickr group who use long-exposure photography to capture their vacuums randomly roaming around their carpets.


It appears like LED’s are attached to the vacuum cleaners and small piles of dirt thrown on the carpet to create some unique imagery and circles. Check out the pictures below (after the jump).

LG RoboKing Robot Vacuum

LG have created a new robot vacuum cleaner called the LG RoboKing. The RoboKing is smaller than the previous model measuring just 90mm tall where as before the previous version was 130mm tall. This allows the vacuum to manoeuvre more easily under objects such as book cases and furniture.

As well as being shorter in height the vacuum has also got 13db quieter and now measures 50db when in use. The LG RoboKing has two cameras built in allowing it to more easily navigate around a room. Programming has also been improved it seems as the vacuum also works 30 percent quicker than previous models perhaps by cleaning a room more efficiently rather than randomly like before.

The LG RoboKing does have competition though as another robot vacuum was mentioned here just yesterday which also wants to take on iRobot’s Roomba. The other robot called Neato XV11 uses a 360 degree laser detection system to more accurately analyse a room and plan a trouble free route around the room. However, the Neato is quite loud although the creators say this is due to it having a more powerful vacuum inside.



It is expected that the LG RoboKing will be officially unveiled at CES 2010 in a few weeks.

ASUS EeeBot – Educational Android Robot

ASUS have announced that they are working on EeeBot that is an educational robot designed to work with children that uses the Android OS to run. The robot will be designed to be affordable allowing more people to purchase it and will feature a number of functions such as the ability to interact with humans (or HRI – human robot interaction).

Other features will see it being able to visually and vocally interact through voice and visual technologies. The EeeBot will also be capable of positioning it’s self and will have navigation abilities.

The project won’t be finished any time soon though as ASUS believe it will take around two years to develop the product in to a trial version, so perhaps we can expect a mid 2012 launch at a guess.

Tomy i-Sobot Robot Plays Air Guitar

It seems that the Guinness book of records has also recognized i-Sobot as the world’s smallest humanoid robot in mass production.

i-Sobot measuring 100×165×67mm at 350g, stands 16.5 centimeters tall. The robot carries 17 little servos motors, 19 chips and a gyro. All these features together help the robot to perform over 200 pre-programmed actions such as push-ups, somersaults, dancing, and various animal imitations.

i-Sobot can be controlled via remote control, featuring an LCD display to select special actions like hula dancing or guitar playing. It even has the capacity to recognize 10 voice commands and set several phrases.

In addition, Tomy has partnered with Sanyo for Eneloop rechargeable 3 AA-size batteries. The Japanese version will be white and blue, and the overseas version will be black and will be able to speak only in English.

Tomy will start shipping i-Sobot in Japan and US on 25th October for 29,800 Yen or $245 (approx. 9,910), whereas the product will also be available in Europe in early 2008.

Hello Kitty Robo

Hello Kitty has launched its pretty Hello Kitty Robo for the those who miss children and want to spend lot of time with kids.

Apparently, the kitty-shaped robot is an ideal toy for whoever does not have a lot time to spend with kids. This Robot is able to help them to stay away from being lonely.

Hello Kitty is developed in such a way that it can communicate with the owner through the Hello Kitty’s voice, in 3 different situations. Specs Hello Kitty Robo It can act as a close friend, like the family and even as a guessing game.

The features of the Hello kitty Robo include face recognition via stereo CMOS cameras, voice recognition microphone, ultrasonic sensor, lift-up sensor and power-on LED. In addition, it is capable of moving its head in 4 different angles: left and right up to70 degree, down up to 5 degree and up 8 degree. It can even movie both right and left Arms in 4 different angles.

Cute-looking Hello Kitty comes packed with AC Adapter, Power Cable, AV Cable, Mouse Device, I/F cover for USB outlet and 6600mAh Lithium-ion Battery.

Available for pre-order at $6,299.99 (approx. Rs. 2,52,000), the Hello Kitty Robo comes with an warranty. NEC and Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd had started working on Hello Kitty Robo in 2004.

Takara Tomy Frenzy and Rumble Transformers Earphones Announced

The Frenzy and Rumble support the Soundwave MP3 player or any other personal music device. It also delivers soft foam earpieces, an audio cable with mini stereo plug as well as a character card.

A pair of earphones can be attached on either sides of the head and it has a retraceable cord winder for easy transportation.

When not in use as a earphone, the robot-shaped Transformers Frenzy and Rumble headphones can be transformed to the robot with two legs, two hands, and a head after pulling them out.

The price of the Takara Tomy Frenzy Rumble Headphones is around $37 (approx. Rs. 1580) and is available in two colors, red and blue.

Auto Vacuum Cleaners

The redesigned Roomba auto-vacuums deliver 100 percent more effective vacuum cleaning, including improved vacuum pickup, brush design, debris and particle filtering, advanced cleaning coverage and navigation plus innovative new scheduling capabilities.


Using wireless technology, the robots starts its work with one button push and knows when the room is cleaned and moves on to the next room.

The iRobot Roomba 560 and 570 features 2.4GHz RF-based Virtual Wall Lighthouses that can be placed in each doorway of the room. This does not allow the robot to leave the room unless it’s completely clean. It even directs the robot through the home. When the battery of both the robot is running short, the Virtual Wall Lighthouses guides them to their Home Base to dock for recharging.

The added features of the new Roomba vacuum robots include:
# A solid, heavy-duty design featuring modular components for enhanced durability and easy servicing
# Anti-tangle technology so Roomba can extract itself from tassels and cord tangles
# iRobot’s proprietary built-in, light-touch intelligent sensing system that can detect when Roomba is approaching a wall or obstacle and automatically slow the robot for a gentler impact and quieter operation
# A built-in voice tutorial for new users that demonstrates Roomba’s features right out of the box
# A new mobility platform that allows Roomba to travel on thicker carpets, climb higher thresholds, and transition easily between floor surfaces
# New re-designed dustbin holds significantly more debris

The 570 also sports a wireless command center to steer and program the vacuum remotely. The 560 comes with an on-board scheduling function allowing owners to program the robot to clean the rooms everyday.

iRobot has starting shipment of the Roomba 530 and Roomba 560 for $299 (approx. Rs. 12000) and $349 (approx. Rs. 14000) respectively. The Roomba 570 will be available by mid-September for $399 (approx. Rs. 16000).

New4LR, a Four-Legged Robot Introduced

A German University, Technische Universität Darmstadt has been working on a four-legged robot, dubbed the New4LR.

Designed for researchers and enthusiasts, the Aibo-like robot features an open-source software development kit and two AMD Geode 500Mhz processors.

It comes pre-loaded with infrared sensors in the head and chest. The New4LR also delivers 15 programmable joints, 640×480 pixel head camera, WiFi and Ethernet. In addition, the robot also sports Compact Flash (CF) reader, 2 USB, 1 VGA connector and an optional speaker and microphone.

If sources are to be believed, the four-legged robot works on both Linux and Windows CE. It also provides 256 MB (extendable up to 1 GB) DDR-SODIMM main memory on a PC104 board from Digital-Logic.

Measuring 40×30x25cm and weighing 2.8kg, the New4LR robot offers a battery life of 30 minutes.

Priced $4800 (approx. Rs. 1,92,000), the New4LR four legged robot is slated to be on sale by end of 2007.

iRobot Rolls Out Looj and ConnectR Robots

iRobot Looj Gutter Cleaning Robot is designed for simplifying the difficult and dangerous job of gutter cleaning. This new robot can clean a stretch of gutter from one location, reducing the number of times a ladder must be repositioned and climbed during gutter cleaning. The 2.25-inch high Looj drives easily under gutter and sweeps out dirt, leaves and other debris that can cause costly water damage, overspills and ice dams.


The Looj includes a detachable handle that doubles as a wireless remote control. Thus provides full control of the robot while cleaning. iRobot Looj will be available from Q4 of 2007 at the starting price of $100 (approx Rs. 3,970).

The ConnectR is a new kind of communications system designed for today’s busy families. And it concentrates on greater connection and involvement with kids, grandchildren, friends and even with pets. This robot links easily to a home wireless network and enables VOIP-quality video. Therefore two way audio communications with a remote person can be achieved.

The ConnectR includes top-mounted, full tilt-and-zoom video camera, speaker, microphone and headlight to enable users to see, hear and interact with people in the home. The ConnectR is very simple to operate via included ConnectR software, enabling remote users to “call” and drive the ConnectR around the home using a computer keyboard, mouse or joystick.

The ConnectR has a charging base located in the home. When its battery runs low, the unit automatically returns to the home base to charge.

“I’m here to demystify the notion that robots in the home are a promise of tomorrow. Today iRobot is delivering to customers practical home robots that are affordable, effective and easy-to-use,” said Angle. “The future is now – and everyone can and should have a robot in their home today.”

The ConnectR will be available in late 2007 from iRobot as part of the ConnectR Pilot Program. Under this program selected participants will get an opportunity to home test and purchase the ConnectR at $199 (approx Rs. 7,910). Otherwise the ConnectR robot is expected to be in the market by early 2008 at the price of $500 (approx Rs. 19,870).

Aibo Robotic Dog to Support PS3 and PSP

Aibo engineers are working on a technology that will make PlayStation 3 and PlayStation portable compatible with the upcoming Aibo Robotic dog.

Along with a voice command, this robot can also be activated by PSP like remote play. Moreover, gamers can also control the dog’s movements through the internet and PSP as well as PS3 controllers.

It features a wireless technology, built-in headcam, motion sensor and facial recognition function. According to Kotaku, the Sony Aibo PS will come in its own avatar within Home in the real world as it does in the PS3’s upcoming interactive environment. You can also download new personalities for the dog.

Users can also stream its POV video over wireless to the consoles.

Bangladeshi Student develops IRobo – a Humanoid Robot from Scrap Material

A Bangladeshi graduate student, Feroz Ahmed Siddiky is working on a humanoid robot, called the IRobo.


Feroz Ahmed is the student of the International Islamic University in Chittagong and has developed this robot from scrap materials that have been collected from electronic shops and car mechanics.

The IRobo is capable of responding to voice commands, picking up objects, mopping floors and performing other simple tasks. Siddiky shares, “On completion, this robot will comply with different verbal commands for tasks like shifting objects, cleaning floors and standing guard. It can also be used for some risky jobs like in coal mines, where workers commonly suffer many accidents.”

The Bangladeshi student is presently in discussions with an Australian software firm over the commercial production of the IRobo. He predicts that the IRobo will sell for less than $1,000 (approx. Rs. 40,000).

Toyota’s Mobility Robot and Violin-playing Robot to be rolled out by 2010

Popular car manufacturer, Toyota has announced its plan to develop two new robots for domestic services that will assist people in four main fields that includes domestic duties, nursing and healthcare, manufacturing and short-distance personal transport. Called the ‘Mobility Robot’ and ‘Violin-playing Robot’, these two robots are the newest additions to the Toyota Partner Robot family. The main purpose to create such robots is to support the consumers’ everyday life.


Speaking about the Mobility Robot, it offers transport in places where conventional wheeled transport stands no chance to travel. You can take this robot to places such as malls, steps and the marketplace. It has the ability to move at the speed of up to 4mph, which is same as the human walking pace.

Powered by battery, it can travel up to a distance of 13 miles in one hour. Mobility Robot can also follow people and avoid obstacles and acts as a porter.

Next is the Violin-playing Robot, which has the capability to perform many tasks with its hands and arms. The best of it is to play violin. This 1.5-meter tall robot can achieve vibrator feature on a violin to play all the classic Christmas carols.

Moreover, it is equipped with a total of 17 joints in each hand and arm, ensuring precise control and coordination to achieve human-like agility. This robot can also help owners with domestic duties, nursing and medical care.

Toyota plans to launch Mobility Robot and Violin-playing Robot in the early 2010.

Monkey’s Brain Activity in US Controls Movements of a Robot in Japan

Though robotic research is not spoken about a lot amongst common people, all the same lots of work is being done in this sector. Researchers in Japan and the US have shown that monkey brains can be utilized to control the walking function in robots. Researchers also claim that this technique might even help paralyzed people to walk again.

Scientists at the Duke University Medical Center have actually proved that the monkey can make a robot walk. A brain activity of a monkey called Idoya in US controlled a robot located in far-east, at Kyoto, Japan.

Idoya’s small brain weighing only 12-pound and measuring 32-inch possessed the brainpower to actually make a 90kg humanoid robot run via Internet.

This success was said to be outstanding as the robot and the monkey were located at a distance of thousands of miles and the two treadmills were obviously not connected.

Moreover, even Idoya was watching the video of the five feet robot imitating her actions and was amused by it, informed Miguel Nicolelis, lead researcher on the project.

“As he changed his speed of pattern, he was watching the robot change as well. She was pretty happy, yeah. Plus, she was getting fruits and Cheerios as a reward” said Nicolelis.

Scientists of the Duke University Medical Center are working with the Computational Brain Project of the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Robots may Replace Suicide Bombers, alerts Robotics’ Expert

Professor Noel Sharkey, a robotics expert at the University of Sheffield, has warned against the impending threat to humanity, thanks to the development of robot weapons. Addressing the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), he mentioned that the world is moving towards an international robot arms race, wherein robots would become a standard terrorist weapon and replace suicide bombers.

At present, a wide range of countries is in the process of developing the technology for robot weapons. In addition to US, Europe and other allied nation that includes Canada, South Korea, South Africa, Singapore and Israel have initiated the robot weapon program.

According to Unmanned Systems Roadmap 2007-2013 (published in December 2007), it is believed that the US will shell out around $4 billion by 2010 on unmanned systems technology and the overall cost would reach to $24 billion. Moreover, China, Russia and India are also planning to take their first step towards the development of unmanned aerial combat vehicle.

In Iraq, more than 4,000 robots are presently deployed on the ground and an unmanned aircraft had flown 400,000 flight hours in October 2006.

Professor Noel Sharkey, from the University’s Department of Computer Science, stated “The trouble is that we can’t really put the genie back in the bottle. Once the new weapons are out there, they will be fairly easy to copy. How long is it going to be before the terrorists get in on the act?”

He was hesitant explaining how such robots could be made. However he says that a small GPS guided drone with an autopilot could be made for around £250. Looking at the current scenario, robots are dumb machines that have restricted sensing abilities and it cannot be guarantee whether the autonomous weapons would have the ability to distinguish between combatants and innocent.

It is believed that the US is giving priority to robots that will decide on where, when and who to kill.

Humanoid Robot-looking 815T PB Mobile Phone announced in Japan

Softbank, a Japanese carrier has announced to offer a new phone named 815T PB. This phone is developed by Toshiba exclusively for Softbank. Two different versions of this phone are rolled out in Japan namely Silver X07 and the Blach X01.

3G capability, a 2.4-inch QVGA TFT LCD with 0.8 in monochrome OLED subdisplay, 3.2-megapixel camera with auto-focus, 14 MB built-in memory, and a microSD card slot expandable up to 2GB are some of the key features of the 815T PB phones.

But what is more interesting is its Buddy Talk feature, which enables the device to express and display a variety of expressions like smile, anger, wink etc.

The Buddy Talk feature also allows the phones to respond to voice conversation and gradually improve its answers.

The phone can gain a humanoid look with detachable body parts. These parts will allow the 815T PB to stand in different positions.

With these parts attached to the phone, the 815T PB looks like a tiny model of a humanoid robot.