Join Remo Humanoid Kit
I’m going to speak a little boldy and say that the Remo Humanoid Robot Kit wishes that it was the JO-ZERO. Of course, I had some video footage of JO-ZERO in action. I’m afraid all my source had was this still shot of the Remo standing upright.
In other words, I don’t know how the Remo moves, which is really what you should look for when you get yourself a robot kit. The Remo (which is short for “robot brain”) does have some “high quality CCD cameras for image processing” as well as “pressure sensors on its feet for balance”.
The Remo is also powered by lithium batteries or by a simple plugging into an outlet. That would probably give it a short leash, though. By the way, remote control is attainable via Bluetooth, which is something that JO-ZERO doesn’t have at this time.
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JO-ZERO could be in next Transformers movie, as himself
Have you ever noticed how jerky and clumsy most robots move? I mean, they don’t call that one dance “The Robot” for nothing. This is simply not the case with JO-ZERO (pronounced “Jay-Oh Zero”).
Himeji Softworks wanted to develop a robot that was “stylish, speedy, and human-like” and I believe that they have succeeded. If you don’t believe me, watch the video.
What you are seeing isn’t deleted footage from a Transformers movie, but actual film from the International Robotics Exhibition 2009. I mean, JO-ZERO is really busting a move on the dance floor (presumably a sheet of paper) as well as a battery of other tricks that would make most stiff-necked robots green with envy.
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Robot Hummingbird could one day have a tiny camera
One of the most intriguing creatures in the animal kingdom is the hummingbird. These small birds have wings that move faster than 30 times per second, and they are the only bird that can fly backwards.
It does not surprise me that a Japanese researcher named Hiroshi Liu modeled his flying robot after the hummingbird. His robo-hummingbird, for lack of a better word, weighs up 2.6 grams and 10 centimeters long. Just to let you know, this is about the size of a non-robo-hummingbird.
Believe it or not, research into this robotic avian is at $2 million, and counting. The end-goal of this project is to create a robo-hummingbird with a tiny camera. This will allow the robo-hummingbird to fly into tight corners for going to places that humans cannot reach.
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Yotaro Baby Simulator, with real tears!
Personally, I think that the target audience for the Yotaro baby simulator would be children who have just learned that they will have a new brother or sister.
As you may be able to tell from the shot of Yotaro’s oversized head, the fake baby has a projector behind it to simulate a face, albeit a freaky one. This projected face can even respond to a touch. You know your skin turns a lighter color when you press your fingers against it? The Yotaro baby’s face can do that.
It also has, from what I can tell, authentic tears. The video that you can watch after the jump shows the Yotaro connected to a water tank.
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Cyber Technology’s Hovering Drone UAV
What you see here is a little kit of the Cyber Quad vertical take-off drone from an Australian company called Cyber Technology.
As you can see, the main flying unit has four ducted fans that provide plenty of lift to keep this Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It can keep hovering, and even film things while in the air. Yeah, I’m sure you probably saw that tiny camera on the front and figured out exactly what this thing is designed to do.
The company tried it out on a damaged oil platform, and it used a scanner to detect chemical leaks. In fact, it can “perch and stare” for hours on end. I wonder how still the footage is.
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Airbot is a robot X-man
Okay, take two minutes out of your busy schedule to watch this robot using some major-league telekinesis. Chances are, you’ll probably be thinking what I’m thinking: I didn’t realize droids could be Jedis too.
As you might have guessed, the Airbot, as it is called, uses the same technology as the Mindflex that we reported on back at CES last January. I have to admit, I don’t think that accuracy in ballistics was part of Mindflex or the Star Wars Force Trainer, a similar product.
I also don’t remember these toys being able to peel an onion. The Airbot also has the ability to use its air-stream to lift any object weighing up to 188 grams and 97mm in radius.
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LifeHand brings prosthesis to a whole new level
The idea of cyborgs is sort of a science fiction staple. From the Six Million Dollar Man to the Teen Titans’ Cyborg, the idea of a half-man, half-robot has fascinated us for years. Even Luke Skywalker had that artificial hand.
It would appear that science fiction has become science fact as a neurologist Paalo Maria Rossini has created the LifeHand. This LifeHand allows the wearer to control the robotic hand on thought processes alone.
Unfortunately, none of my sources have a video of this. That is a real shame, because this is something that I would really have to see to believe. The LifeHand has been put on Pierpaolo Petruzziello, an amputee who says that he can do complex movements by thought alone.
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X-BRAT automatically shoots targets, and is the beginning of the end
Take a look at this video, and discover a deleted scene from T3: Rise of the Machines.
See how the man has programmed a machine to only shoot at certain targets. Note how the targets are painted hot electric pink. You should also note how the gun seems to rest after its target has been “eliminated”.
You will also note how the man gets hit in the process of setting up this little experiment. I can’t help but feel sorry for the guy, and was glad that the bowl of ammo serendipitously spills.
Apparently, this robot, which is known as X-Brat, has been made for the Mech Warfare event at RoboGames 2010. Part of me can’t wait to see this guy open fire with lots of rapid fire.
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