Category: Robots

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CeBIT Tidbit: Local High School Robot Competition

We love robots here at ST, and nothing makes us happier than seeing happy hacking high-schoolers pitting their robots against eachother in friendly competition, which is exactly what was going on today at CeBIT. The competition was really more an exhibition, but it was tremendously fun to watch. Each team represents a local high school, and each is given six weeks to build a remotely controlled robot that will compete to complete a specific task, in this case a sort of robot/human basket ball. The basic object is for either human or robot to put purple balls into baskets, or do other tasks like complete a “pull-up” on a bar in the center of the field. It’s amazing what these kids came up with, and it’s certainly an inspiration to anyone considering getting involved in robotics. To learn more about the program, go to New York City FIRST. Pictured is the Brooklyn Tech (go BK!) entrant, which didn’t actually compete at CeBIT. More pics under “read more.”

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Wear-a-bot

This is pretty darn cool, and slightly frightening at the same time. Perhaps that’s why they went with the extra-lame name? I’m just waiting for a version in nicer colours to come to my favorite hiking store…

While using a biological module for the complex tasks of route selection, perception, hazard avoidance, and self-maintenance is a great idea (though of course not a new idea), I do wonder what happens if the mechanical musculature loses synch with the biological partners – I hope there are load limiters liberally scattered around! Of course your really don’t want to have a software vulnerability allowing the enemy to rip off your legs at the push of a button either. It’s great to have undergrads in the lab for testing isn’t it?

I’d go for the poster offer, but the model isn’t up to my standards I’m afraid!

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Toyota to Make “Mountable” “Trumpet Playing” Robot

I don’t know why it’s the car companies that are leading the personal robotics race, but Toyota’s just announced a set of trumpet playing robots that will serve as assistants to the elderly and infirm. One of them is a “mountable” robot that can carry an adult human. Unfortunately there is no pic of this model, leaving me to wonder if it looks more like some sort of Centaur/Pride scooter hybrid.

The Toyo ‘bots were designed to play musical instruments as well as help people, and according to the press release their lips move with “as much finesse as human lips” which of course makes me wonder what else these robots can do. Play a trumpet? Right. That’s what it was designed for. There’s such a huge demand for trumpet playing robots….

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Little ‘Bot Guards Your House, Reads To Your Kids

SK Telecom, Korea’s largest telecom company, and Mostitech have developed a small, wheeled “security pet” that is designed to guard your house with on-board digital cameras and wireless connection to your PC, and through it to your mobile phone. On-board sensors can detect fires and poinsonous gas (handy if you’re living in New Jersey) and upcoming software will allow face recognition. When the ‘bot doesn’t recognize a face, it can snap a pic and sound an alarm.

In addition to the security functions, the company is apparently touting the little ‘bot’s ability to read to your kids and keep an eye on them, which doesn’t seem like a good idea to me — at least until the bugger’s got some arms and a three-law chip. Price is expected to be around $850.