This illustration is from a children’s book called Hello, I’m Robot! which was published in the Soviet Union in 1989.. . Notice the evolution from abacus to digital calculator in one generation. Check out more images after the jump, although the one above is the best one, I’d say

[ A Journey Round My Skull ] VIA [ BB ]

There’s an entire blog dedicated to concept robot artwork. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, should I? Here’s a few samples:

by Goro Fujita (we like his art!)

More, after the jump. (Read more…)

At RoboExotica in Vienna (it’s the European version of this) one of the most entertaining robots this year was this Adult Mario system, a regular game of Mario hooked up to a booze dispenser that mixes you a drink based on how well you play. Do well, you get rum and coke. Do poorly, and the robot mixes in water. Run out of lives, and the robot throws the drink in your face.

Just kidding.

But there are other cool features, like fans that blow in your face when Mario runs and lighting that matches the background of the level you’re on. You can also swap cartridges (not really) and play Bartris instead:

Of course, the robot can be configured to mix any sort of drink using any sort of game. The possibilities are endless… Contra J├ñgerbombs, here I come.

[ Roboexotica ]
[ Nonpolynomial ] VIA [ DigitalTools ]

If these weren’t already sold out, I’d be all over them. At $45 each (there’s a set of 6), these 6.5″ tall ‘Bertie Mk2′ figurines are beautifully battle scarred in that way that made Wall-E so endearing. More pics:

As I said, the pre-order is entirely sold out, but hopefully these robot toys will become available again in January.

[ Tenacious Toys ] VIA [ Boing Boing ]

What we know: Designed by Nathaniel Mellor, these robotic heads (which look like the artist himself) can be yours for $75,000. It’s part of an installation piece called “Giantbum.”

What we don’t know: Why? Why??? WHYYY?????

[ Art | Basel ] VIA [ Engadget ]

I swung by the Automatic benefit art show for RoboGames 2010 last night, and was astounded by the variety and quality of robot art on display. Not only is it all awesome, most of it is for sale, and proceeds go to support your favorite robot competition. Also, if you go, one of the curators will molest you while two robots take turns humping your leg. Seriously… If it happened to me, it can happen to you.

The Automatic benefit closes tonight; the gallery is open from 5pm to midnight and there will be booze after 7. You’ll find it at the lowerDeck Gallery, 2295 3rd Street in San Francisco.

Check out a bunch of awesome robot art from the show, after the jump… If you’re interested in one of the pieces, I can put you in touch with people who will happily take your money. (Read more…)

By which I mean, this is my brain, most of the time. Obviously I need more ventilation. And no, I don’t need your help with that, thanks.

VIA [ Gizmodo ]

Sometimes, I feel like there just isn’t quite enough computer generated robot violence in the world. And then I see something like this, directed by Fede Alvarez. And it makes me happy.

There’s also a music video.

VIA [ Robots Dreams ]

I wouldn’t put it past Data to do a little bit of experimenting, but C-3PO? That’s shocking. I am officially scandalized. And so is R2-D2, who’s probably going to come after Data with that silly little tazer of his. This shirt was designed by Joanna Mulder, and you can pick it up for $20 on her Etsy page, if you hurry.

VIA [ io9 ]

Most robots aren’t what you’d consider to be inherently artsy, but they have no trouble following really complicated directions involving tedious and repetitive tasks. Like making mosaics. Which, you know, doesn’t really require any talent, so to speak, just a lot of time… It’s kinda like big paint by numbers. Perfect for robots! A company called Artaic is employing an industrial robot arm to pick and place little colored tiles to create as big a mosaic as you want, of anything you want, whether it’s a picture or an actual piece of art. Prices start at about $165 per square foot installed, which seems like a lot but is apparently quite competitive, especially considering how fast the robot can churn stuff out. Here’s a vid; the actual mosaicing stuff starts at about a minute in:

[ Artaic ] VIA [ Robots Dreams ]