Filed under: Robots

If this here press releases didn’t have a date of February 1997 on it, we’d swear this was some sort new fancy new development. Sure, robots have been playing sports for ages, but seeing this here creature revived begs the question: why don’t we all have one or two of these laying around the house by now? The prototype seen in the video linked below can recognize spoken commands, react to incoming spheres, identify actions of nearby humans and spike volleyballs in your grille all day long. In all honesty, Tosh probably converted this into some sort of elderly assistant bot that didn’t catch nearly as much press, but we’re still holding onto a sliver of hope that this thing is just about ready for commercial release.

Read - Volleyball robot video
Read - Original volleyball robot press release

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Filed under: Robots

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Filed under: Cellphones, Robots

Tmsuk is back with even more crazy humanoid antics, this time demonstrating a shopping robot that can be controlled from far, far away. The modified TMSUK-4 humanoid showcased in Kitakyushu, Japan was actually being controlled by an elderly lady in her home via an NTT DoCoMo video-capable cellphone. Essentially, the technology enabled her to see through the eyes of the robot and presumably control its movements via the keypad. We are told that she was able to successfully browse the hat section and finally make a purchase, but who knows how many innocent bystanders were unknowingly mauled in the process.

[Via Pink Tentacle]

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Filed under: Robots

Not like we haven’t seen hordes of humanoids fight to the death (or malfunction, whichever comes first) before, but this agile duo is really something. Seriously, just watch those feet scamper about and try not to smile. We’ll bet you lose it when the big fella drops that massive left hook (but fails to connect). Video after the cut.

[Via MAKE]

Continue reading Remote controlled bots do battle at RoboGames 2008

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We heard that Pal Technology’s REEM-B would be “fully revealed in Q1 2008,” and while things seem to be running ever-so-slightly behind, we can’t gripe too much. The creature was recently shown off in Abu Dhabi, where onlookers swooned and secretly crushed on the totally macho being. Its creators have also announced that the 1.47-meter tall robot was the last prototype to be formed, as it has plans for a commercial venture “in the near future.” The overriding goal for REEM-B is to have it act as a service bot for the elderly and disabled, and considering that it has no qualms reacting to voice commands and “engaging in simple conversations,” we’d say it’s pretty well suited to do just that. Check out the video after the break to see it in action.

[Thanks, Saad]

Continue reading Pal Technology’s REEM-B humanoid shown off in Abu Dhabi

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Filed under: Robots

Never mind getting tesla coils to fix your supper, just hit the on switch on your own personal humanoid. Reportedly, the creature you see above has been loaded with learning algorithms that enable it to repeat actions that it learns. Wonder if anyone realized that this totally demented critter just learned to slice more than ham? Stay sharp, kids — the video’s after the break.

[Via Hacked Gadgets]

Continue reading Humanoid learns to cook breakfast, fend for himself

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Filed under: Robots

Forget controlling your dreams — after all, isn’t the idea of having a mechanical buddy act out whatever your off-kilter brain thought up last night much more appealing? In an interesting endeavor, Fernando Orellana and Brendan Burns have teamed up to design a humanoid that actually takes sophisticated dream interpretation results (garnered by analyzing data from a variety of sensors) and acts out whatever was going on in one’s mind. Quite frankly, we’re not even sure we’d like to remember some of those overnight journeys — let alone see some bot play it back — but if you glanced this headline and immediately crossed your fingers for a video, head on past the jump to get just that.

Continue reading Humanoid acts out your dreams, encourages insomnia

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Filed under: Robots

We’ve witnessed our fair share of Robovies, and let’s just say we’ve a healthy fear of ‘em. That being said, we’re fairly certain we’d come darn close to fainting or reacting violently should the creature pictured above approach us while shopping ever. Nevertheless, this humanoid is apparently allowed to run amok at Universal Citywalk Osaka as the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute tests out its ability to interpret signals from cameras, sensors and RFID readers and determine which patrons are thoroughly lost. When it recognizes a stumped individual, it wheels over, confirms their state of confusion and politely offers directions to their destination of choice. Still, tell us you could seriously look down at those eyes and not completely forget where you were trying to go — we triple-dog dare you.

[Via Tech Digest]

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Filed under: Robots

The folks at Pal Technology have been kicking around their Reem-A humanoid bot for long enough that they’ve decided to build him a friend. Unfortunately for Reem-A, his new buddy Reem-B is going to be getting all the lady bots with his refined looks, ultrasonic range finders, fully fingered hand and stair walking abilities. Reem-A only has voice, face and object recognition, and some other softwarey skills like self localization, he won’t stand a chance. Those Pal Tech jerks. Reem-B will be fully revealed in Q1 2008, until then we’ll just have to stare at his impressive chest.

[Via Slashdot]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Robots

We’re not getting too hopeful about all of this just yet, but reportedly, Honda has worked a new series of “cutting-edge intelligence technologies” into ASIMO. Apparently aimed to keep the poor humanoid from tumbling down stairs, the improvements will supposedly enable it to “operate autonomously with people and other ASIMOs,” essentially making it more suitable for real world use. More specifically, the new technologies include a “new system that enables multiple ASIMO humanoid robots to share tasks and work together to provide uninterrupted service to people,” an automatic charging function, intelligence to avoid obstacles by stepping back or yielding to oncoming objects and the ability to “perform tasks such as carrying a tray and pushing a trolley.” That sound you hear? Yeah, that’s the collective grumbling of butlers / maids the world over.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Robots

RoboPhilo — the self-proclaimed personal humanoid of your dreams — has landed just in time for the holidays after being announced months back, and yep, it will indeed sell for under five bills. Available now at the RoboBrothers website, this (comparatively) affordable creation comes ready to walk, kick or boogie down with 20 servos, an included remote and a couple of ports for good measure. Essentially, it’s only limited by your imagination and programming knowledge, and is ready to consume your forthcoming time off just as soon as you cough up the $499 required to get it on its way.

[Via Technabob]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Robots

We’ve already seen medical students operate on robots that bleed, yap and flat-line, but it’s about time dental students underwent the same kind of scrutiny, don’tcha think? If things go as planned, future dentists in Japan could soon be practicing on Simroid, a humanoid that resembles a young woman and can talk back when students hit a nerve. Reportedly, the bot can exclaim “it hurts” and move her eyes / hands whenever discomfort is felt, but best of all, engineers included a “breast sensor” to determine if that area has been touched inappropriately during training. Nothing wrong with ensuring the ethical treatment of robots, we suppose.

[Via Physorg]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Robots

While we thoroughly enjoyed hearing of EMIEW’s (presumably) short-lived career as a hotel clerk, it looks like Hitachi’s EMIEW 2 has some seriously large aspirations. In a recent demonstration in Hitachinaka, the two-wheeled robot wowed onlookers as it received commands wirelessly and happily ran office errands without too much trouble. The creation, which stands some 31.5-inches tall and weighs 29-pounds, did crash into a desk and stand motionless momentarily while being previewed, but developers didn’t hesitate to inform the crowd that kinks were still being ironed out. Nevertheless, it was able to avoid obstacles while rolling about, understand and respond to human speech and move around for an hour before needing a recharge. The company refused to spill details surrounding its eventual price and release date, but we’re hearing there may soon be an open spot in Scranton that this fellow could certainly fill.

[Via Inquirer]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Robots

While we swear our Roomba reacts to our moods, researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology have developed a humanoid bot that can use communicate using gestures. The 187-pound robot stands about five feet tall and uses a 3D vision system to recognize gestures like pointing and bowing and determine their meaning — and then use the same gestures when appropriate. The researchers say they envision the tech being used in caregiver robots for the elderly, but we’re not trusting them until we see proof this thing recognizes the gesture for “Do Not Enslave.”

[Via The Inquirer]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Robots

Though we’ve certainly seen robotic legs that like to get their jump on, a team of researchers at the University of Tokyo have assembled a new two-legged creature that can actually spring up about 50-centimeters on its own — and land gracefully. The creation is part of a larger project aimed at creating humanoids with cat-like (or just human-like, really) reflexes that can better assist the elderly when used as caregivers. Moreover, this hopper relies on air-driven artificial muscles rather than electric motors, and while we’re not sure it could hang with Ronaldinho, it can boot a fútbol when asked.

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Robots

We know, you’re actively looking for ways to stay calm and patiently await the arrival of your US-bound i-SOBOT, so we’re thrilled to pass along an introductory video to tide you over. The clip goes through and lists everything that comes bundled in with the bot itself, and the animated creature also shows off a few moves, phrases and modes. Granted, we hold a special place in our heart for any miniature mech designed to handle full-fledged somersaults and shamelessly rock out with an air guitar, but we’re pretty sure you’ll enjoy the vid, too. Go on, it’s waiting after the break.

Continue reading Introductory video shows off i-SOBOT’s features

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!