FGadgets » Robots

Robo TAP Cleaner By Gyu Ha Choi

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:42:05 +0000

Finding it difficult to carry that hefty vacuum cleaner to clear out the mess? Looking out for a smarter solution? Well, you’ve landed on the right place. Check out the new Robo TAP Cleaner – a smart evolution of an automatic vacuum cleaner that is used to clear out the mess from a targeted area. Being an excellent domestic cleaning robot, Robo TAP can clean up messy spot as directed by the user.

It features a special IPS system attached to the user’s shoes and acts based on the user’s movements. When the user taps his/her shoes, TAP recognizes the signal and moves towards the messy area to clean the same. Two or more taps will direct the robot to cancel the order. The mechanism is relatively simple and it is as entertaining as tap dancing. As one of 8 Electrolux Design Lab finalists, Robo TAP Cleaner proves to be an excellent alternative to traditional vacuum cleaner.

Designer: Gyu Ha Choi
Source: TUVIE.com

REEM-C Humanoid Robot

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 14:36:04 +0000

When it comes to designing humanoid robot, your robot should look consistent from head to bottom. There are some dos and don’ts rules as well as various styles and approaches. Plasticpals tried to apply those rules for PAL Robotics’ contest to design their forthcoming humanoid robot, REEM-C.

REEM-C has a beautiful helmet that can be used to conceal the microphones. The face has been designed to be minimalist since not any of PAL Robotics’ earlier robot designs have integrated eyelids, brows or lips. The REEM-C logo serves as the chief indicator light and aids to brand the robot; however, it can change color in order to signify the robot’s internal status. Its shoulder joints are capable of rolling 90 degrees into this position even without the upper arm stabbing on the shoulder. Since the fingers are covered in semi-translucent rubber, they appear to be in lighter color.

REEM-C’s elbow joint takes its inspiration from the SONY ORIO and is capable of bending even further. Its upper back is a concave oval from where the back-facing camera goes, whose main purpose is to track things going on behind it. In order to hide internal mechanisms, the back of the legs fold inside the calve just like the folding elbow. The legs are capable of rolling and twisting up to 90 degrees at the hip that would allow it to revolve 90 degrees to either right or left in just 2 steps.

Source: TUVIE.com

Hybrid Assisted Limb (HAL) Robo-Suit

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 15:19:16 +0000

Ever dreamed of being at the top of mount Everest. It is practically an impossible task to do despite being physically fit and healthy. The task can only be completed if you have the will power and courage and the desire to make it to the top of the mountain.Well this guy here should be an inspiration to all of you guys, who thinks it is impossible.

Seiji Uchida, 49 and father of two, lost his ability to walk and feel his legs in a car accident 28 years ago. But he never gave up on his dreams and guts, which is why he has decided to pay a visit to heritage site, Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy in the French coast and make his trip of a lifetime.

How exactly is this possible for a man who is paralyzed from waist down? This he does with the help of the Hybrid Assisted Limb(HAL) robo-suit. This one of a kind robo-suit can be worn on a person with the help of which he can lift anyone up to tenfold his strength. Uchida will need the help of a companion and the HAL to make it to the top of the Mount Saint-Michel.The companion can lift up Uchida and help him complete his mission and dream.

This smart piece of technology is a contribution from the University’s professor Yoshiyuki Sankai in his laboratory in Tokyo suburb. The technology is inspired from cybernetics, which is gaining considerable importance in the field of research and development in Japan. The Cyberdyne Corporation in Japan has already begun its venture to supply these suits in bulk for assistance to people who are facing these kinds of difficulties in walking. An invention of this kind of cybernetic body suit helps to enhance body movement and boost up a person’s strength.

The working of the HAL suit is by detection of minute bio-electrical signals in the pads located on different parts of the body.When the signals give messages to these pads, the HAL suit moves according to the wish of the carrier. As the person moves, brain sends nerve signals to the muscles and helps move the musculoskeletal system .The very minute bio-signal created at this moment is sensed by the skin.

The HAL suit gets hold of these signals through the sensor in the carrier. Depending on the signals gained, the power unit is managed by the carrier for daily activities.This gadget does not cause any cramp or hurt the carrier or the traveler. It is made of soft material so that the traveler can sit safely and enjoy the journey.

Source: DesignBuzz.com

First Ethical Robot Is Coming

admin — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:14:04 +0000

For example, this robot will be able to remind the patients that it’s their time to take their medications. Of course, robot will be able to respect their decision if they do not want to take medications, and it will remind the patient again after some time. In addition, this robot will be able to contact the doctor if something goes wrong with the patient.

Researchers at the University of Connecticut are trying to develop a robot that uses ethics, and in order to create such a machine, they are using a machine-learning algorithm that should determine robots actions. This robot would be able to “learn” and become ethical (and therefore ‘rational’) based on your decisions.

Source: GadgetLite.com

Luna Robot By SchultzeWORKS

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:42:29 +0000

SchultzeWORKS designstudio is proud to announce a breakthrough in robot design. Commissioned by RoboDynamics of Santa Monica, CA, ‘Luna’ is the world’s first personal robot integrating three unique feature sets : Luna is completely expandable via expansion ports, fully programmable with open standards and, above all, affordable.

The industrial design work for Luna addressed dual and conflicting demands between design and engineering. The engineering challenge was to incorporate the client’s existing and proven TiLR robot hardware, firmware, and drive train. The design challenge was to create an original and compelling techno-beauty that would engage users and invite interaction.

Source: YankoDesign.com

Mini Bots To Help Map Building Interiors In The Future

admin — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 22:17:58 +0000

Mapping interior of buildings can be quite a tedious process for humans, but researchers have now found a way to use robots instead of humans for this tedious task.

Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, and California Institute of Technology / Jet Propulsion Laboratory are currently working on a new way to map interiors of buildings that could save a lot of time. Their idea was to use robots for mapping buildings, but not just any robots, they are planning on using palm-sized, tiny robots.

Of course, you shouldn’t judge these mini bots by their size, they come equipped with two cameras, laser scanners and they can even explore unfamiliar buildings on their own. They can navigate through hallways, detect doors and windows while generating the map in real time.

Source: gadgetlite.com

Puppy Robotic Vacuum Cleaner By Hyun-Seok Kim

admin — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:26:57 +0000

Before you call PETA, just hear me out. The dogs and pups involved are robotic and no animals were harmed in the making of this concept! Puppy Robotic is a vacuum cleaner consisting of a mommy dog and her litter. The mom acts as the base unit and the four pups are her cleanup crew. True to canine nature, the puppies run amok in a cleaning frenzy and at times chase remote controls or play some music.

The mommy dog nourishes the litter with electric juice and collects garbage from their units. A cool way to make them run in circles and clean their footprints is to hand the remote to their tails. Now that would be a fun site!

Designer: Hyun-Seok Kim
Source: Yanko Design

HECTOR – HExapod Cognitive auTonmously Operating Robot

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:35:37 +0000

Once in a while comes a robot that captures the imagination, and the same can be said for the HECTOR (HExapod Cognitive auTonmously Operating Robot), thanks to the people over at the University of Bielefeld’s Department of Biological Cybernetics. This hexapod robot might look as though it stepped out of a time machine from the future, but it is every bit early 21st century in terms of technology.

This meter long insect robot relies on a distributed intelligence principle that is found in insect brains. Its exoskeleton is super light and durable, being only 13% of its total weight of 12kg. Using carbon-fiber reinforced plastic shells that deform less than 1mm under a 30kg load, its joints also take another page from nature’s handbook, offering 20 degrees of freedom.

We foresee this helping out in sticky situations where humans are unable to access, perhaps even helping stem a nuclear meltdown sometime down the road?

Source: Ubergizmo.com

FRIDA Humanoid Robot Workers (video)

admin — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:33:05 +0000

Right now, most of your gadgets are assembled by low-paid workers in China. But if ABB has its way, they’ll be assembled by no-paid robot workers.

Their FRIDA robot concept is designed to “fit into spaces ergonomically designed for human workers,” so no overhauling of current plants would be necessary. Oh…good? The robot certainly looks impressive, what with its handy ability to do detailed, repetitive work without ever experiencing stress, physical or mental. But it sure would put a lot of people out of work.

Source: DVICE.com

Wii Robot By Florence Boob

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:20:32 +0000

Now that everybody and they momma are doing motion controls, what’s Nintendo to do next? Ask designer Florence Boob (yes for serious) and you’ll get the Wii-Robot. OMG Wii-bot! Working under the assumption that everybody and they momma loves robots (true), the Wii-Robot is the little R2-D2 companion you’ve always wanted. It flies and follows you around, inviting you to play games it projects onto any flat surface. The controller is a sphere laced with motion controls.

Designer: Florence Boob
Source: yankodesign.com