When I have written posts on jumping robots, they are usually as big as an eraser or iPod. However, this robot is smaller, and its basically the size of an small bug. The bot is actually like a bug, because it stores up potential energy and then releases it to jump into the air. It works by having rubber springs that are connected to a little leg and the other side of the rubber bands are connected to the body (see photo above). When the bands are pressed inward, the energy is being stored, and then when it gets released the robot jumps into midair. Sounds pretty cool, even though its basically the size of a insect. Thanks for reading and check out the video below to see this bot in action!
Archive for September 2011
New Omni-Directional Crawler robot can move in any direction
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If you have heard of omni wheels then you know that they enable robots to move smoothly. Recently, a research group in Japan (not surprised) has developed a robot that move in all directions. They also showed off their Omni-Ball, a ball-shaped, omni-directional wheel the same way of which are used in the crawler robot. The robot uses the Omni-Ball, its basically just a ball shaped omni-directional wheel made by the research group. It works by having two hemispherical wheels that face each other on either side of an axle. This means that each Omni-Ball can move by itself or together as a ball. If this type of mechanism gets developed by other companies, we may see these on cars some day! Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see this robot in action.
UC Berkeley Biomimetic Millisystems Lab Robots
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Some of us may have heard of beam robots. If you have, then you already know that they sort of represent biological creatures. Well thats exactly how the robots at UC Berkeley are in common with beam robots. Their first robot OctaROACH has tiny little curved legs, and these legs enable it to tackle more terrane than that of a wheeled robot. Now for their second robot, BOLT Bipedal Ornithopter, it has the ability to fly quite smoothly in the air. It uses two lightweight wings, and a front leg mechanism that propels it forward. BOLT's design looks pretty similar to Wowwee's DragonFly robot. Thirdly, they have the iBird, and its a completely autonomous flying robot. It has an onboard CPU that enables it to fly without a remote control. Overall, these bots seem pretty cool and animal like! Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see the robots!
Meet Keepon, the next robot to hit the shelves at Toys R Us
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What do you get when you mix some foam and servos? You get Keepon, the world's happiest robot! Keepon is a little yellow robot that love to dance. It can dance because it has four servos, a camera in each eye, built in microphone in nose, and a soft yellow body. When Keepon senses a noise it reacts to it just as a human would. Not only is it fun, but this bot won't poke a hole in your wallet, because its retail price is only $49.99 at Toys R Us (soon to come). Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see Keepon dance!
the NAO collection
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Today Im writing what I call, "The NAO Collection." This includes 10 videos of NAO performing some amazing things that some robots have never done before. Some of the videos of the NAO robot are more impressive than others, but I hope you like them all. Special thanks to, "TheAmazel!"
NAO climbing a ladder.
NAO writing his name.
An amazing wave of NAO robots.
NAO carrying a small item.
NAO protecting special items.
NAO acting like a toad.
NAO walking with a human being.
NAO robot helps another one stand up.
NAO uses his senses to recognize colors.
NAO avoiding obstacles.
Thanks for reading and what was your favorite NAO video? Feel free to add you answer down below in the comment section!
Review of Hexbug larva
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After a few weeks since the Hexbug Larva was released I've finally managed to get a hold of one. Right after I opened the Hexbug box, I turned the robot on (after taking out the batteries and switching the positive and negative sides) , and let it go. I now what I said about the Hexbug spider, but this is one cool little robot! For example, the movement of this robot is quick and agile. It also looks pretty realistic when it moves in a wave like motion. Over all the bot is pretty neat, and if your looking for fast and sleek robot, then the Hexbug larva is perfect for you. Not to mention its only, $12.99 at Toys R Us. Thanks for reading and check out my review video above!
NAO robot learns to dance
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If you have been reading posts on my blog since February, then you should know about NAO. If you like NAO then you'll love the video I found. Basically, it shows NAO with a simple compliant behavior that gives it the ability to dance along with a human being. I don't know if this NAO's full potential, but it does seem quite impressive. Thanks for reading and check out the video on the right side to see NAO dance!
Find us on Google +
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Today Google just released Google + to the public, and so now you guys can find us on Google +.
Just click the button on the right to be directed to our profile!
Ava, the futures nurse for the elderely
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If you remember I did a post on iRobot's Ava robot, well today I here to tell something a little better. iRobot has made Ava into a personal medial assistant for doctors and the elderly. By this I mean that if a elderly person had trouble getting out of the house to see a doctor, Ava would replace the actual doctor. It would do this with the help of a tablet (iPad, hp tablet, etc..) and a video chatting service (skype or facetime), and then the person would look into Ava's camera and see the doctor. The would also be able to talk to it's patient, and find out about medical conditions and issues. However, this bot isn't available right now, but the good news is that the CEO of iRobot, Collin Angel, said that the robots price tag would be around the low single digit thousands, or possibly lower. Thanks for reading and here's a link the robot video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYTwMv57UGw. (sorry I cant put it on the blog, it has a standard YouTube license)
video: lingodroids playing a location game
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This is just a post I wanted to show you guys, and I hope you like it!
Submit a post
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New "Submit" page
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Hello fans and readers of SimpleBotics! Have you ever wanted to write a post for SimpleBotics? If you have then your in luck, because next week I Will be adding a new label to the site called, "Submit." This label lets you submit a post to SimpleBotics, and if it is accepted it will be featured on the site. So go ahead and pull up a new word doc. and start writing because you never know if post will make the cut!
Hexbug: Larva
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Thanks for reading and check out the video below to see this bot in action!
