A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience
With visions of Star Wars’ R2-D2 clearly ringing in their heads, the lab wonks at Nissan have unveiled the Biomimetic Robot Car (BR23C). The robot is meant to demonstrate the car maker’s new crash prevention technology being shown off at this week’s CEATEC conference in Tokyo. Video after the jump.
Continue reading… “Nissan Unleashes Real World R2-D2”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXdqps4ThG8[/youtube]
MIT researchers have designed a new robotic underwater vehicle that can hover in place like a helicopter — an invaluable tool for deepwater oil explorers, marine archaeologists, oceanographers and others.
Continue reading… “Underwater Robotic Vehicle Can Hover In Place”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TIUvOt1CVI[/youtube]
If you’re looking for the smallest most sophisticated R/C flying vehicle around then your wait is over. The Micro R/C 4-Channel Flying Saucer incorporates amazing technology in a package not much larger than your outstretched palm. With 4-propellers you’d assume the Micro Flying Saucer would be hard to keep balanced in the air, however this problem is solved by the built in solid-state accelerometer.
Continue reading… “Remote Control Flying Saucer”
Robots have been an integral part of the Japanese society, and there have been many robotic toys that are far more advanced than many devices meant for adults. The Murata Seiko-chan is a self-balancing robot unicyclist that was created in order to meet the demands of many people who were already bowled over by the company’s Murata Boy, a robot bicyclist.
Continue reading… “Female Robot Unicyclist”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLGOMDfPAsw[/youtube]
NIST’s conducts its nanosoccer competitions and demonstrations in conjunction with RoboCup, an international organization dedicated to using the game of soccer as a testing ground for the robotics technologies of the future.
Continue reading… “Nanosoccer – Testing Ground For Future Robot Technology”
Considering Japan’s reputation for odd erotic animation/manga and advanced robotics, many are waiting to see what kind humanoid robots the country will produce in the not-too-distant future. If commercials are a barometer of local culture, then it looks like we have our answer thanks to the new Tokyo Gas commercial featuring a man who brings an alluring wayward robot into his home to teach him about…gas utilities.
Continue reading… “Japan Utility Ad Forecasts Impending Robot Takeover”
From the “how the hell did we miss this” department comes word that the U.S. military is hard at work creating “thought helmets” for its soldiers. If fully realized, this mind-interfacing piece of gear would allow for what plebeians would call magic, and Arthur C. Clark would call basic telepathy. The “good” news is the Army believes telepathic communication between soldiers in the field is entirely possible, some day. The bad news is that “some day” is decades away for this incredibly ambitious plan-this ain’t no video game controller, folks.
Continue reading… “U.S. Military Working On Creating “Thought Helmets””
Scientists who tricked monkeys by swapping images of sailboats for teacups have figured out how the brain learns to recognize objects, a finding that could lead to robots that “see.”
Continue reading… “Scientists Have Learned How The Brain Sees”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ru2ctwb_yk[/youtube]
Humans make walking look easy, but that’s only because walking is a very efficient process in which our tendons and muscles work in conjunction to store and release 40% more energy than we exert.
Continue reading… “Robot Leg That Operates More Like Human Leg”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOlRI_Hm1Po[/youtube]
A new automated construction system is all set to change the face of home-building, for it is soon going to step out of the developmental phase and become a functional house-building robot. This prototype was developed by Behrokh Khoshnevis of the University of Southern California.
Continue reading… “Automated Construction System To Change Face of Home-Building”
Next time you thought you need someone to lend a helping hand, think of this Third Arm. The whole idea seems supernatural but for Stelarc, it was more of a tangible concept. He is the same Australian performance artist who hung himself naked from flesh-piercing hooks attached to ropes. Well, this superficial arm will couple with your right arm and is shrewdly capable of independent motion. It is triggered into action by the EMG signals of the abdominal and leg muscles.
Continue reading… “Need A Helping Hand?”
Far from Earth, a robot spacecraft has been prodded from deep slumber to make a rare encounter with an asteroid, the intriguing orbital debris that could offer clues into the making of the Solar System.
Continue reading… “Robot Spacecraft To Visit Asteroid”
