Gizmodo has spotted R2-D2 in the highly popular prequel Star Trek. It looks like the scene when the Enterprise trails behind the other Starships when warping to Vulcan and are surprised by wreckage when finally reaching the planet.
I've seen the movie both on big and small screen, but hadn't known about the R2-D2 cameo. I may have to watch it again.
iRobot has developed a blob robot that is able to move by inflating and deflating ("jamming") itself.
As a new kind of chemical robot (or chembot), the blob bot has stretchy silicone skin, which is composed of multiple cellular compartments that each contain a "jammable slurry." When some of these cells are unjammed, and an actuator in the center of the robot is inflated, the robot inflates in the areas of the unjammed cells. By controlling which cells are unjammed, the researchers can change the shape of the robot and make it roll in a specific direction.
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Gundam Mobile Suit robot franchise, this 18-meter Gundam will be on display from now to August 31. It is also part of Tokyo's campaign for the 2016 Olympics. Link to photo (via vtbarrera)
Related: More information about the giant Gundam - Link
It seems that the days of "Cylon" occupation are not far off...
Researchers from the JAST project have created a robot that is able to predict a human's intentions:
The JAST robotics partners have built a system that incorporates this capacity for observation and mirroring (resonance).
“In our experiments the robot is not observing to learn a task,” explains Wolfram Erlhagen from the University of Minho and one of the project consortium's research partners. “The JAST robots already know the task, but they observe behaviour, map it against the task, and quickly learn to anticipate [partner actions] or spot errors when the partner does not follow the correct or expected procedure.”
The robot was tested in a variety of settings. In one scenario, the robot was the 'teacher' - guiding and collaborating with human partners to build a complicated model toy. In another test, the robot and the human were on equal terms. “Our tests were to see whether the human and robot could coordinate their work,” Erlhagen continues. “Would the robot know what to do next without being told?” By observing how its human partner grasped a tool or model part, for example, the robot was able to predict how its partner intended to use it. Clues like these helped the robot to anticipate what its partner might need next. “Anticipation permits fluid interaction,” says Erlhagen. “The robot does not have to see the outcome of the action before it is able to select the next item.”
The robots were also programmed to deal with suspected errors and seek clarification when their partners’ intentions were ambiguous. For example, if one piece could be used to build three different structures, the robot had to ask which object its partner had in mind.
Call me lame, but I find the above photo very fascinating. It is a long-exposure shot of a Roomba's cleaning path.
Signaltheorist did something really neat with a new Roomba he got. He shut off all of the lights in his room for 30 minutes and captured a long exposure of the path that the Roomba makes when it goes about cleaning the area. The resulting photo is a mess of circles and lines that somewhat resemble flight paths. I wonder what the paths would look like in a bigger room. I should get our Roomba out and see.
Crabfu has designed yet another Swashbot, called Swashbot3. It's still a three-legged robot based on R/C helicopter eccpm swash control, but this Swashbot has a more organic design. Check out the video here and photos here. (Thanks, I-Wei!)
Check out the newest creations, SwashBot1 and SwashBot2, made by I-Wei over at Crabfu Steamworks. They aren't his typical steam creations. SwashBots are three-legged robots based on R/C helicopter eccpm swash control. Link to photos and video. (Thanks, I-Wei!)
Ths eight-foot-tall animatronic model of Gort, the robot from The Day The Earth Stood Still, is currently up for auction on eBay. According to the ad, "the robot hasn't been activated in years." So be careful! Current bid is $4051. From the auction listing: Specifications:
* Created by Fred Barton Productions, Inc., hand assembled in the USA. * Originally purchased from FBP, Inc., in 2003. Since then it has been on public display. * Full size fiberglass reproduction. High quality, durable construction. * Originally equipped with tilting visor with sound effects. * Animatronics controlled by an infrared remote control. * Dimensional specifications were obtained from the original robot. * The original infrared controller is included.
This past Christmas Zachary received "My Little Blue Robot" by Stephen T. Johnson from his grandparents. It's a hands-on book that your 3- to 7-year-olds -- and even you -- will just love. Follow the directions on each page, pull out the cardboard parts of the robot, "screw" the robot parts together, and by the end your kiddo will have his very own walking and talking robot!
Zachary loves this book and has even named his robot "Marty". Attempts to take "Marty" apart and put him back into the book ends in tears, which definitely means this present was a winner. I love this book because it's both a fun and educational project to do with my son.
Even if you don't have any kids or they are all grown, you should still check out this book. It will bring out the kid in you.
Call me lame, but I find the above photo very fascinating. It is a long-exposure shot of a Roomba's cleaning path. 
WJN milled this itty-bitty robot from a single piece of brass. What amazing craftsmanship. 
My husband and son would kill for this robot model of Gort from the movie 
This past Christmas Zachary received 
