Featured Articles
Nextage Robots Work Along With Humans
Are we drawing closer to the robotic age? Japanese company Kawada Industries has developed a humanoid robot designed to work along with humans. The Nextage robot may not be the first of its kind, but this one is already commercialized. Nextage features a high-speed stereo camea, as well as two arms with 12 joints each that can be positioned within 30 microns. In case a human worker approaches the ... [Read More]
South Korea To Test Robot Prison Guards
South Korea's Ministry of Justice has announced that it is testing robot guards in prisons. The one-month trial will be conducted at a prison in the city of Pohang, located southeast of capital Seoul, starting March 2012. The project is expected to cost one billion won (about $863,000). The robot guards are designed to patrol prison corridors and monitor conditions inside the cells. If the robots ... [Read More]
Kinect Helps Control This Humanoid Robot
Speaking of Kinect hacks, here is one that have been getting noticed. Japan-based robot maker Yaskawa has developed a humanoid robot that can be remote-controlled using the Kinect interface. The telepresence robot, named "SmartPal VII," can be used to communicate with other people at a certain distance or even lend a hand in cleaning room by controlling its arms. It runs on wheels and is equipped ... [Read More]
Honda Asimo Robot Gets Awesome Upgrades
Honda recently demonstrated the latest version of Asimo, its super-advanced humanoid robot. The update is the first since 2005. The 2011 edition of Asimo is thinner, lighter, faster, and "more intelligent" than its predecessors. The robot weighs 48 kilograms, which is six kilos lighter than the previous model. It also has 57 joints, 23 more than last time, and now walks at 9 kilometers per hour in... [Read More]
Robotic Guide Dog for the Blind in Progress
Robotic dogs such as the Sony AIBO were dismissed as expensive toys that are inferior to the real thing. No wonder it was discontinued in 2006. Despite the notion, some Japanese companies are determined to develop similar robots. One such company, Tokyo-base NSK, just unveiled a yet-nameless robot dog. But instead of acting kawaii, this NSK robot is designed as seeing-eye dogs for blind people. Th... [Read More]
Stanford Researchers Develop Touch-Sensitive Skin for Robots
Researchers at Stanford University have been able to develop a touch-sensitive skin for androids and prosthetics, The "skin" has a gooey texture and allows robots sensitivity to touch, as well as allow amputees to regain feeling in their artificial limbs. The plastic skin makes use of carbon nanotubes, which are embedded into the skin as tiny, compressible springs. These tubes work as sensors as t... [Read More]
Panasonic HOSPI-Rimo Robot Brings Video Chat to Patients
Panasonic Japan has announced the development of its HOSPI-Rimo, a "communication assistance robot" that is specifically designed for hospital use. The HOSPI-Rimo (short for Remote Intelligence and Mobility) would enable bedridden patients to communicate with doctors or family members who are living far from her bedside through "virtual visits." Patients can use the HOSPI-Rimo to talk to other peo... [Read More]
Introducing Autom, the Diet Robot
Tried every thing to lose weight? You have tried every exercise machine, every diet, every alternative treatments, but you still end up gaining more weight? Perhaps you need a help from a robot. Autom is a 15-inch talking droid that prompts owners to enter their daily calorie consumption and exercise habits using its LCD touch screen. The robot responds kindly to keep them motivated, complete with... [Read More]
Second-Gen RIBA Robot for Elderly Gets New Upgrades
Japan-based RIKEN has unveiled a new version of its bear-faced RIBA (Robot for Interactive Body Assistance) healthcare robot, which aims to assist care-giving personnel in lifting the elderly from their bed to a wheelchair. The robot was developed in response to Japan's aging population, which is expected to reach 5.69 million by 2015. The RIBA-II, developed in collaboration with Tokai Rubber Indu... [Read More]
Recon Scout Throwbot
Not all robots are being made to look like humans, after all. But its funny how it is those humanoid robots that usually get the attention. There are robots developed that don't seem to capture the imagination of people, even though they might be more useful in a number of situations. Just consider this new Recon Scout Throwbot, a far from the usual design for what others may call a robot, but a u... [Read More]