Archive for April 2012

HomeBot update


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After getting a knife from Lowe's, I was able to cut the plastic for the HomeBot. However, I didn't stop there. I got a hairdryer and then powered it up on full heat, and this enabled me to bend the plastic to any shape. After I bent the plastic pieces with pliers, I used cold water so they wouldn't bend back to it's original shape. The photo below shows the two pieces that I'm talking about. These are going to house the motors for the brush roll. Thanks for reading and the video above shows the progress being made!

T-shirts and thanking my readers


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fpsrussia shows off new quadrotor with a mounted machine gun


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Military warfare is obviously going to change after being introduced to robots. In the video above, it shows fpsrussia controlling a quadrotor with a machine gun attached to it. However, if you have an expensive amount in robotics then you can probably tell this is fake. First off, universities are still experimenting with these robots. It's also hard to believe that this is able to be stable while carrying the gun, let alone firing it. Also, I think we would have seen this on the military channel before seeing it by a YouTuber posing to be a Russian. Overall, I think the concept is awesome, but realistically this is just CGI and animation.

Warning: video contains some language so be advised

President Obama gives the Sphero robotic ball a try


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Today, on YouTube I found a new video uploaded by gosphero. It's simply called, "President Obama Drives Sphero the Robotic Ball." Literally, but don't take my word for it, see for yourself!

SimpleBotics Domestic Robot is Currently in Progress


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When people think of robots, they tend to think of machines doing there work. Well, I don't blame them. Who wouldn't want that? That's exactly why we have started to develop our first domestic robot. Currently we are using plastic for the body (a precise band saw will be cutting for us), and we plan on this robot to be simple, aesthetic , and analog. So far, we have come up with the sensors, how it'll clean, it's design, and the name. Thanks for reading and please comment below by recommending a good name for this robot. As of now it will be called HomeBot.

My Favorite Robotics Blogs


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With all those robotics blogs out there, it can be hard on picking which one to visit often to stay updated. So I have created a list. A list of ten robotics blogs (excluding mine, because that would be unfair), and I hope you find one that's suits your wants and needs.

1. http://www.botjunkie.com/

2. http://gizmodo.com/tag/robots

3. http://www.gorobotics.net/

5. http://robotzeitgeist.com/

6. http://robotgrrl.com/blog/

7. http://www.robots-dreams.com/

8. http://robots.net/

9. http://www.roboticstrends.com/

10. http://www.robotcafe.com/

New "Robo-Cops" in Korea will help guard prisons


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We've all dreamed of it, and yes I mean robots doing our work. Well, at least some work. As a result of this, Korean robots will be guarding curtain prisons in South Korea next spring. There job will obviously be to patrol the area and be sure that no prisoners escape. However that's not all they will be doing according to BBC news. With with a range of cameras and sensors, these bots will be able to detect inmate violence an conflict. There are also five feet tall and have four wheels that help them get around with ease. This is to ensure that no one, in any way, will sneak past the "robo-cops." I don't think that's the official name, by that's what I call them. Thanks for reading be sure to check out, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15893772 for more info.

My newest beam bot


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After a while of not finding any gear boxes for Synapse, I decided to build a micro sized beam not. Don't worry I have not given up on synapse thigh. Anyways, the beam bot was powered by a simple solar engine, it had small legs, one big capacitor (big if you compare to the bots size), and a small pager motor. I took a video of it so you guys could see it. Thanks for reading a new robot post will be up tomorrow!

Festo Robot Bird attacks Women


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I guess Isaac Asimov was right after all! In this video I found on YouTube it shows a Festo bird (did a post on these guys a while back) that flew down and hot a VIP in the crowd. Who knows, that story may actually become a reality. What are your opinions?

DARPA robot conquers stairs


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I know a robot walking up stairs doesn't sound that amazing. Well, at least for Honda. After a ton of research and development, one of DARPA's bipedal robots can now walk up stairs. Although the legs just look like black pieces of metal, the inside is filled with motors and others mechanical devises. All these parts work together to give this robot the ability to walk. You could actually call it jogging if you compare this bot to other bipeds. The video above shows it walking up stairs and doing push ups. Thanks for reading and feel free to comment below!

New robotic manta ray takes a swim


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Swimming robots that mimic fish, jelly fish, and even sharks are amazing, however, there's a new aquatic bot to join the club. Developed by BIER Labs, the robotic manta ray looks and swims like the real animal. It's movements are precise, and it's wave like motion is the real McCoy. In fact, the only thing that gives it away is the material that covers all the working gizmos on the inside. Thanks for reading and I am currently watching out for more information to update you guys on this robot.

Check out smart sand, the tiniest modular robot


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Wouldn't it be awesome if you could stick a small item into some sand and then outcomes a larger copy of that item. Well if so, then thank the people at MIT for developed this kind of modular robot. They call it, "smart sand," for obvious reasons. For example, each cube is capable of combining with other cubes via magnets and tiny signals to create a perimeter copy of the object. The magnets help them stick and the signals help them find each other. When that is completed, they then surround the perimeter and fill it in with more blocks. As a result, the object's clone is born. Thanks for reading and for further facts and info, please check out the video above!

Easter robot video roundup


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This week has been filled with some interesting Easter robots. As a result, I have compiled a roundup dedicated to those robots. I hope you enjoy!

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National Robotics Week countdown


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National Robotics Week officially starts this Saturday! With events in all 50 states. There's an event for every robot fanatic.

lockergnome - home robots are here


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Today, while checking my subscriptions on youtube I noticed that one of lockergnome's videos wasn't about a new phone or something of that topic. It was about domestic robots. You know, the ones like roomba and mint. Anyways, enjoy the video!

The hexbug nano bunny, An Easter styled robot


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What do you get when you combine Easter and a hexbug nano? An Easter styled hexbug nano! Unlike the average nano, these have tiny bunny ears that you can attach to the front of the bot. They have different colors, and they're even packaged inside a plastic Easter egg. Sounds like a great gift to add to your kid's Easter basket. Thanks for reading and you can pick some up at RadioShack for just $4.99!

NAO robots engage in a conversation


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There's nothing like two robots arguing.

micro bot roundup


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So far I have not seen anything major in robotics technology, so I just made a roundup post instead of writing about a new robot. Some of the robots listed are beam and some are not. Enjoy!

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