Yep, it’s yet another thing that robots can do that I can’t do. At least the skills of this Gifu robot hand, programmed by the Cognitive Interaction Technology center at Bielefield University, aren’t totally beyond human abilities… Not yet, anyway.

[ Neuroinformatics @ Bielefeld University ]

We keep going on about how ROS is all free and open source and platform independent and distributable and adaptable and anything can run it and so on, but this little project from ModLab at UPenn illustrates the whole idea brilliantly. They took a bunch of ckBot modules (which, incidentally, can reassemble themselves after being kicked to pieces) and made some 6 DoF arms with grippers plus a movable base, essentially duplicating all of the basic capabilities of the Willow Garage PR2. As you can see from the vid, the mini PR2 can run programs straight off of the PR2 simulation environment, and even duplicate the actions of the full-size robot, all thanks to ROS.

A bit more on ROS, after the jump. (Read more…)

Alex over at Trossen Robotics writes,

“Our intern Jennero Rossi has been working diligently on his very first short documentary to give a first hand look into the world of robotics. We’re hoping that people who are interested in learning about robotics could find this video inspirational and see that they don’t need a PhD to start getting involved.”

Not that you should underestimate the knowledge, skill, and ingenuity of robot builders, but you shouldn’t let the fact that it’s robotics intimidate you, either. As several people in the video point out, a lot has changed in a very short time, and robotics is easier to get started with now than it’s ever been before. Go to an event. Take a class. Join a club. Buy a kit. Before you know it, you’ll have your very own mechanical minion with which to enslave and/or destroy humanity. It’ll be fun, I promise!

[ Trossen Robotics ]

That’s not my headline. That’s JPL’s headline. And when JPL talks about something busting a move, you know it’s gonna be good. This robot is called ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer), and although we first wrote about it over two years ago, it’s great to see an update. This latest version of ATHLETE actually consists of two entirely independent three-limbed robots that attach to each side of a cargo pallet and then operate as a single system. The wheels may look small, but ATHLETE is designed to traverse pretty much any terrain on Earth (or any other planet); if its wheels get stuck, it just uses its limbs and starts to walk. The limbs also function as arms: on the inside of each axle is a quick-disconnect adapter that can select a tool off of the base of the robot to let it do things like sample collection or even construction. Look for ATHLETEs in the near future (let’s hope) on the lunar or Martian surface, helping to unload and transport cargo over challenging terrain.

[ ATHLETE ]

There must be a fundamental perceptual difference when it comes to robots in Japan (as opposed to robots in the rest of the world), because there seems to be a tendency there to at times more or less totally ignore the whole Uncanny Valley issue that we get so hung up on around here. Take Telenoid R1, for example:

Maybe it’s just me, but that robot has horror movie written all over it.

The idea behind the design of Telenoid R1 makes a lot of sense: the robot is intended for remote telepresence and communication, and as such, it’s supposed to distill a human form into just the essential communicative elements. So, you’ve got a face that’s intended to be featureless and asexual, stumpy little arm things, and a soft torso with no legs. But like, even though it makes sense from a rather academic point of view, you’ve still got to take a few steps back and say, “okay, but does this really work for people?”

Telenoid R1 comes from Hiroshi Ishiguro, whom you probably remember for his not quite as creepy Geminoid F. Inside, it’s got 9 actuators that will mimic the arm, face, and head motions of the user who’s communicating through the robot (via a motion-capture webcam). I’m not sure, though, that the Telenoid R1 will actually enable users to “feel as if an acquaintance in the distance is next to you” as the developers assert… But in any case, it is going on sale: expect to pay $34k for the research version, and $8k for a general purpose version.

Video, after the jump. (Read more…)

WowWee is continuing to release inexpensive robot toys, and unlike many of their previous offerings (with the obvious and excellent exception of the Rovio), the new Roboscooper actually might have some sort of practical application. Sort of. If you want things that weigh about an ounce lifted up and carted around. Here’s what Roboscooper can do:

* Scoops objects up automatically when in autonomous mode, or when controlled by the included remote
* Nimble. Has six wheels allowing it easy traversal over most terrain
* Multi-directional mobility
* Funny phrases and sound effects
* Sensors in his hands allow it to detect objects in front of it on the floor and pick them up, or knock them around
* Obstacle avoidance

This is the robot that picks up objects at your command and loads them onto its cargo bed, emptying contents at your preferred location. The remote drives the robot left, right, forward, and backward–with skidding sounds for stops and beeps when in reverse–allowing you to nudge it into place for picking up small, 1 oz. items such as balls, toys, or socks with its two articulated arms and hands. It can also operate autonomously using its four infrared “eyes” that seek and detect objects within its 8 – 12″ sight range while it announces “Let’s get to work!” Once an object is secured, the robot’s torso pivots to deposit an object into its cargo bay; it dumps contents by vibrating to dislodge objects from the bay, adding “one step closer to a cleaner world.” Completely aware of its environment, it informs you when an object is either too large or fixed with “too heavy for me” and “uh… a little help, please” if it gets stuck. It can also issue beefy, two-handed slaps to objects when set into “whack” mode, urging you to “let ‘er rip!” when ready.

I really like the idea of a robot that drives around, picking up random stuff… Especially since the robot is apparently smart enough to take all the stuff it picks up back to one place. I’m not sure how it does this, since the descriptions don’t refer specifically to WowWee’s NorthStar indoor positioning system… I think we’ll have to wait for a video demo to find out how Roboscooper works, how well it works, and whether it’s worth the asking price.

Roboscooper is currently on pre-order for $70, and is expected to ship by the end of this month.

[ WowWee Roboscooper ] VIA [ RobotsRule ]

You may not have learned this in school, but Boilerplate, a robot constructed back in 1893, was an instrumental part of many famous historical happenings, as you can clearly see in the video above, which I’m sure is an actual documentary or something. From Teddy Roosevelt to Lawrence of Arabia to Pancho Villa, Boilerplate has seen it all and done even more, and now J.J. Abrams has apparently purchased the rights to make Boilerplate’s story into a feature film. There are basically no more details than just that fact, but if you want a preview, you can just buy the book. Boilerplate: History’s Mechanical Marvel is available on Amazon for $17.

[ Boilerplate ]VIA [ Robot Living ]

That music, btw, comes from (I think) the spectacular HBO miniseries “From the Earth to the Moon” which you should absolutely watch right now if you haven’t already.