For that reason, and for the joy of combining the Rubik’s Cube with robotics, we present CubeStormer from RoboticSolutions.

The claim is that this Lego Mindstorms RCX Speedcubing Robot can solve any 3³ in under twelve seconds. The video shows this: I’m happy to take their word on the machine being handed random cubes.

Just brilliant.

Kinda makes your human attempts at solving the cube rather futile, eh? Never mind. You can always dress up as a Rubik’s Cube instead.

Via

There are only 50 units fabricated of PLEN, each costing 2999 dollars. So this is a very expensive limited edition android-robot. The PLEN is sold as an assembly kit, you’ll only need a cross point screw driver and some time and patience to get it assembled and going.

This robot looks like a true collectors item for robots fans out there. The fact that you can program its own motion makes it even more attractive to have. If it wasn’t that expensive I might consider buying one, I always wanted a robot which I could program basic motions for. Much cooler way to learn the basics of robot programming instead of using Karel the Robot.

Check out more details about PLEN on its own website or go ahead and order one at Audio Cubes.

Give robot lovers this tiny Choro Robo Q.

Though it’s not as advanced (and certainly not as big) as Loki or some of the other robots we’ve featured, its 3.4cm tall body still hides a powerhouse of versatility.

Versatile, that is, so long as it can perform its task within five minutes — that’s how much use you get from a 20-minute charge.

It comes with an infrared remote control unit, offering full directional control, or it can be put into auto mode where it runs (err, walks) around, chasing the supplied football or avoiding obstacles.

It’s never going to win any prizes for AI but two or more of these little chumps darting around your desk or kitchen floor could be fun — until the dog eats them of course.

Check out the video and note the robot swagger.

£19.95 ($33) each, but you just know you have to get at least two.

Product page

Constructed from some simple bits of LEGO, servo motor, LEDs and simple microchip, the Rovin’ Pumpkin isn’t exactly a hit on the dance floor, but with its glowing green eyes and sneaky little movements, it could scare a few trick or treaters this weekend.

Via

I hurt one of my legs last week and I swear I was walking a bit like this robot when it reaches 3.2mph (granted, I couldn’t walk that fast).

PETMAN’s main purpose is to test chemical protection clothing used by the US Army. It has a range of versatile movements, being able to balance itself when pushed, walking, crawling and “doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics”.

It will take two-and-a-half years of design, build and installation before PETMAN is delivered in 2011.

PETMAN (Via)

This four foot tall robot not only looks fantastic but seems to be highly functional, thanks to some nifty systems and programming by its creator, Dave Shinsel.

There’s a ton of video over at Dave’s YouTube page which really gives a flavour of what Loki can do.

Loki has remote control and logistics over Wi-Fi, vision processing, speech recognition, indoor pathfinding and basic artificial intelligence.

Lots of data on the web site if you’re inclined to have a go creating your own Loki. Otherwise, just sit back and enjoy the show.

Via

In fact, that’s the most technological part of the whole effect. If you’re comfortable gaffer taping your beloved Apple phone to the inside of a crisp box, by all means try it out yourself.

Here’s the video with detailed instructions for doing just that. Should your first fancy dress idea of turning up to a party dressed as a Rubik’s Cube not work out, you can always fall back on this one.

Via

“Created for entertainment purposes. It is made to dance and entertain people at conventions and parties.”

It’s a radially symmetrical four-legged robot that’s operated from two modified Wii Nunchucks. It has taken two years of “hobby” time to get to this point and probably cost around $1,000 in parts/replacements.

It’s made from some custom-cut steel plate, copper, aluminum tubing, brass, a 7.4V 1100mAh lithium-polymer battery, a pair of XBee radio modules for communication (has a range of around 20 feet), Pololu micro SSC board and eight HX12K servos.

Check out the video below or Drew’s Flickr photo set.

I’d kind of hoped that the robot had some of its own sensors on board so that it would avoid objects, but to be honest the level of control Drew has over it makes up for that. Next project perhaps?

Drew’s Robots (via)

Here’s a video including slow-motion replay:

At present the pitcher can only throw fast balls (well, 25mph balls), but researchers want to get it up to 93mph and vary the types of ball it can deliver.

The batter will be trained to consistently hit balls to the same target.

Via

Watch this little robot, apparently something that’s available to buy (somewhere) coupled with an iPhone 3G S. Let it wake you up, teach it movements, and watch it “dance”.

Not sure whether this big-eyebrowed smiley robot will ever make it into production, but it’s a cool little experiment.

Via

Actually, there’s a lot of other stuff besides robots, but that’s what caught my eye. The pic above is Industrial-Grade P-8 Lifter Robot. Be sure to check out the original artwork.

How about this Crusader:

Or how about Gundeer:

Really, go and check out the rest, they’re awesome.

Reaver’s Etsy listing.
]]> http://www.forevergeek.com/2009/06/hommage_cylon_inspired_jet_robot/feed/ 0 http://www.forevergeek.com/2009/06/find_cool_pewter_robot_pendants/ http://www.forevergeek.com/2009/06/find_cool_pewter_robot_pendants/#comments Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:49:44 +0000 Andy http://www.forevergeek.com/?p=12817 I’ve just found these fantastic little pewter robot charms on Etsy.

They only stand an inch tall but have good detailing on them. They’re being sold for $4.98 per pair, but apparently the seller has a huge bag of them so you could probably create your own army of them if you wanted.

Check out more pictures over the jump.

Troy Rogers, Steven Kemper and Scott Barton of Expressive Machines Musical Instruments, that’s who.

They’ve created Madi (the Multi Mallet Automatic Drumming Instrument) which uses various brushes and sticks connected to a controller to beat out one heck of a cacophony of noise.

“We are a group of composers seeking new modes of acoustic sound generation. Our goal is to develop and compose for instruments that maximize temporal, timbral, dynamic, and harmonic possibilities. This quest has led us to create robotic musical instruments.”

Nice work, guys, and I’m sure you could get it to calm down a bit for more genuine performances. In the meantime, you’ve built a great device for getting your own back on those neighbors in the next block who woke you up at 4am with their drunken hollering.

(Via Hacked Gadgets)

I think it’s a good thing too, because if you head on to Radio Shack today Rovio is on sale for roughly around US$130. Not available for online purchase though, but if you show up at many of their shops in the US you’d see that Rovio IS on sale.

I’m guessing we’d see Rovio II any time soon. Nonetheless Rovio 1… rocks. Check out the features below:

- Wi-Fi enabled robotic webcam/ led illumination/1 x speaker/1 x built in microphone
- Detects your computer settings for you and guides you though the process
- Interactive audio and video streams from ROVIO to the PC
- Control from web accessible devices
- With stored location points ROVIO can navigate itself around the home

It was on sale for US$250 at Amazon. Grab THIS chance!