I just came across this video of an industrial robotic arm being used to perform a roller coaster like ride, looks very cool!

Robosapiens have always been one of the coolest toys to own and they’ve just got a smidgen cooler with the upcoming release (no firm date yet) of the Homersapien and Spidersapien. So instead of having a boring old robot looking robot you’ll be able to get one that looks like Homer on steroids.
Read the rest of this entry »

According to a Wired magazine article military forces around the world are starting to develop the so called MAVs (Micro Air Vehicles) to be employed on different types of military operations. “If you feel something crawling on your neck, it might be a wasp or a bee. Or it might be something much more dangerous.”

The MAVs will not be used for massive destructive endeavors but rather for specific and tactical missions, like getting inside buildings to destroy the power supply. Fred Davis from the Air Force Research Laboratory commented: “This means preventing the target from carrying out its mission, rather than destroying it (…) for example, can be put out of action by destroying its tires; a MAV can do this by squirting them with few milliliters of a catalytic de-polymerization agent, causing them to disintegrate rapidly.” Read the rest of this entry »

Sure, you’ve wanted a suit to make you so strong you could punch through the hulk while looking cooler than the Fonz. Well, it’s closer than you think (not the ‘cool as the Fonz’ thing, the other one, you’re still a geek).

Anyhew,,,

It’s the Exoskeleton Olympics!! It happens every four years, for the first time ever, and it’s,,, riveting!!! Get it,, cause rivets are used to connect parts, and,,, never mind. (second vid ‘warm ups’)
Anyway

Yet another sweet exoskeleton batch has dropped lately. If you are like me, and desire to see weaklings leg press a small house with nothing but wires, steel, their brains, and a small amount of muscle power, then you are in for a treat!

Read the rest of this entry »

WowWee’s new robot, which appeared at this year’s CES, is called Roboquad and amused people crawling around on its four legs. The robot comes with infra-red sensors and apparently it can be used as guard since it is able to scan for sounds and movements, up to 10 feet away. The manufacturer is claiming that the robot should also be able to identify objects of different sizes, move around furniture and detect the edge of doorways. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s another robot with a cutesy name, SPYKE the WiFi Spy Robot. It’s due to be sold under the Meccano brand name which is pretty appropriate as you’ll have to make him your self.

Read the rest of this entry »

From the same people who brought you the R2D2 DVD projector comes a neat web cam. Again, it’s R2D2 styled and mobile, but it’s somewhat smaller being designed to fit on a desk.

The remote control for it is a full scale model of a light saber but also doubles up as a USB phone. Al saw it immediately coined the term “SkypeSaber” - I have no idea what they’re calling it officially but I like our term anyway!

The LucasArts franchise gains yet another prodcut with this R2D2 styled DVD projector from Nikko Electronics. It may not be able to project holograms but it is a DVD player, projector and remote controlled robot!

The feature list is:

• LCoS PRojector projecting up to 80″ wide
• iPod dock
• DVD Player (with remote styled after millenium falcon)
• Memory card slot for photo slideshows
• Movement and sound of the whole unit via remote control
• Built in speakers
• FM Transmitter broadcasts audio on up to 7 frequencies

Honestly, I don’t know if this isn’t a case of “form over function”. It’s certainly cool but I’m not sure how practical it is! Still, if you’re a Star Wars collector this is something you’re going to want.

Gizmodo have video of it in action - sweet!