Robot drives Le Mans using two AA batteries

If you're lining up a publicity stunt for something as humdrum as a battery then you could do a lot worse than the eye-catching bash Panasonic just pulled off with its long-life Evolta cell.

Using just two of the AA flavour of the battery, Panasonic's PR flacks coaxed a tricycle-riding robot known as Mr Evolta round the Le Mans racetrack for the fabled 24 hours.

Full day's racing

The impressive endurance feat saw the robot cover almost 15 miles, or 5.6 laps of the track, in the 24-hour span, which saw it recognised as a Guinness world record.

While it sounds like a fantastic achievement for relatively eco-friendly power, concerned citizens might want to look away when we tell you that Mr Evolta spent the entire 24 hours following an infrared beam from a lead car that drove just ahead of it.

Robotic buoy to fight sea pollution

The good people at Osaka University has come up with a prototype of a robotic buoy that has a very specific and special purpose in life - it is meant to combat sea pollution in the event of large scale environmental disasters the world has known as oil spills. The prototype known as SOTAB (Spilled Oil Tracking Autonomous Buoy) is but a 110kg GPS-equipped robot. It will feature a cylindrical buoy length of 2.7m and a diameter of 27cm, and the whole idea is to have these buoys installed aboard oil tankers, enabling them to be dropped into the sea automatically whenever there is an accident. Unfortunately, oil tankers will have to be a whole lot more vigilant and careful for the next three years (at least) since it will take that amount of time at best to roll out from the laboratory.

Designed by Naomi Kato, professor of submersible robotic engineering at the Department of Naval Architecture at Osaka University, Japan, this buoy is said to “conduct education and research on underwater robotics, biomechanics on aquatic animals and its application to engineering, computational hydrodynamics of viscous flow fields.” Sounds like a whole lot of scientific gibberish, but basically translated into layman’s terms, the robot will be able to keep track of the oil slick whether by day or at night, as it features four very sensitive cameras that are able to look out for the black shadow cast by oil above it (the robot will remain submerged at about 10m), while maintaining this vigilance when the sun has gone down simply by turning on its lights. Data such as speed of the current, water temperature, wind direction and wind velocity along with the help of GPS enables the robot to let humans know just where the oil slick is heading.

Can’t they like, hurry up already? God knows the world needed something like this many years back.

Robotic buoy to fight sea pollution

The good people at Osaka University has come up with a prototype of a robotic buoy that has a very specific and special purpose in life - it is meant to combat sea pollution in the event of large scale environmental disasters the world has known as oil spills. The prototype known as SOTAB (Spilled Oil Tracking Autonomous Buoy) is but a 110kg GPS-equipped robot. It will feature a cylindrical buoy length of 2.7m and a diameter of 27cm, and the whole idea is to have these buoys installed aboard oil tankers, enabling them to be dropped into the sea automatically whenever there is an accident. Unfortunately, oil tankers will have to be a whole lot more vigilant and careful for the next three years (at least) since it will take that amount of time at best to roll out from the laboratory.

Designed by Naomi Kato, professor of submersible robotic engineering at the Department of Naval Architecture at Osaka University, Japan, this buoy is said to “conduct education and research on underwater robotics, biomechanics on aquatic animals and its application to engineering, computational hydrodynamics of viscous flow fields.” Sounds like a whole lot of scientific gibberish, but basically translated into layman’s terms, the robot will be able to keep track of the oil slick whether by day or at night, as it features four very sensitive cameras that are able to look out for the black shadow cast by oil above it (the robot will remain submerged at about 10m), while maintaining this vigilance when the sun has gone down simply by turning on its lights. Data such as speed of the current, water temperature, wind direction and wind velocity along with the help of GPS enables the robot to let humans know just where the oil slick is heading.

Can’t they like, hurry up already? God knows the world needed something like this many years back.

Toyota Announces Segway Killer: The Winglet Personal Transporter

Only a year after taking control of Sony's robotics business, Toyota has come up with a vertical, mechanized scooter (or personal transporter, in future-speak) intended to help people move about in public areas.

Called the Winglet because of its fleet nature, it is the first gadget to duplicate the celebrated, and often mocked, navigation system of Dean Kamen's Segway Transporter: self-balancing through gyroscopic sensors detecting the gentle directional tilts of a rider.

However, this personal scooter is probably not up to par to the Segway in speed or ruggedness. The newest Segway model can go up to 12.5 miles per hour (versus the Winglet's 3.7 MPH), and the slightness of the Winglet's frame probably wouldn't survive a Police chase.

According to Toyota, they will begin testing three different models at a few Japanese airports later this year, as well as some popular malls. The feedback received from customers will help determine whether Toyota will mass-market the gadget for sales everywhere else.

Last year, Sony decided to sell off most of its robotics division in order to streamline its overflowing number of product departments (killing off the Aibo dog in the process), and Toyota stepped in to keep pushing the technology.

Toyota Announces Segway Killer: The Winglet Personal Transporter

Only a year after taking control of Sony's robotics business, Toyota has come up with a vertical, mechanized scooter (or personal transporter, in future-speak) intended to help people move about in public areas.

Called the Winglet because of its fleet nature, it is the first gadget to duplicate the celebrated, and often mocked, navigation system of Dean Kamen's Segway Transporter: self-balancing through gyroscopic sensors detecting the gentle directional tilts of a rider.

However, this personal scooter is probably not up to par to the Segway in speed or ruggedness. The newest Segway model can go up to 12.5 miles per hour (versus the Winglet's 3.7 MPH), and the slightness of the Winglet's frame probably wouldn't survive a Police chase.

According to Toyota, they will begin testing three different models at a few Japanese airports later this year, as well as some popular malls. The feedback received from customers will help determine whether Toyota will mass-market the gadget for sales everywhere else.

Last year, Sony decided to sell off most of its robotics division in order to streamline its overflowing number of product departments (killing off the Aibo dog in the process), and Toyota stepped in to keep pushing the technology.

Heart Robot makes a mushy romantic out of me

I know that the future foresees a greater role played by robots in our daily lives. They have come a long way from stiff mechanical arms on the operating table to human like clones. But imagining a robot with emotions is too mushy even for a romantic like me. It's like revisiting Bicentennial Man. Creators of the Heart Robot want to impress upon the fact that an emotional robot could be a possibility in the future. To give it a realistic feel, Heart Robot is made of soft, flexible plastic and appears to breathe, blink, flinch, and clench its fists in response. Expertise of people from diverse fields has been used in its creation. Robotics, animatronics, street theater, puppetry, and Web designers have been consulted to create Heart, who "has large deep soulful eyes, delicate ears, hands, and feet and is warm to touch."

Heart Robot's body is made from white Egyptian cotton. Five small computers make up the nervous system, which produce reactions to stimuli. Motors move its eyelids and hands and make it's little red rubber heart beat (slowly if you cuddle it, and faster if you shake it, yell at it, or stress it out). Sensors allow Heart Robot to detect other objects. Two air pumps in its legs drive its breathing system, which, like the heart, responds to the robot's level of "worry" or "relaxation" by speeding up or slowing down accordingly.

Heart Robot makes a mushy romantic out of me

I know that the future foresees a greater role played by robots in our daily lives. They have come a long way from stiff mechanical arms on the operating table to human like clones. But imagining a robot with emotions is too mushy even for a romantic like me. It's like revisiting Bicentennial Man. Creators of the Heart Robot want to impress upon the fact that an emotional robot could be a possibility in the future. To give it a realistic feel, Heart Robot is made of soft, flexible plastic and appears to breathe, blink, flinch, and clench its fists in response. Expertise of people from diverse fields has been used in its creation. Robotics, animatronics, street theater, puppetry, and Web designers have been consulted to create Heart, who "has large deep soulful eyes, delicate ears, hands, and feet and is warm to touch."

Heart Robot's body is made from white Egyptian cotton. Five small computers make up the nervous system, which produce reactions to stimuli. Motors move its eyelids and hands and make it's little red rubber heart beat (slowly if you cuddle it, and faster if you shake it, yell at it, or stress it out). Sensors allow Heart Robot to detect other objects. Two air pumps in its legs drive its breathing system, which, like the heart, responds to the robot's level of "worry" or "relaxation" by speeding up or slowing down accordingly.

R2-D2 Action Figure is remote controlled and transparent

Tomy the leading Japanese toy manufacturer has released a transparent version of the ever-popular radio-controlled R2-D2 mini action figure. The mini light saber which is also transparent doubles as a remote control using which you can move the R2D2 forward or turn on command, rotate his dome as he rolls, beep and whistle, and illuminate his photoreceptor “eye”. The transparent plastic lets you see the inner working of the R2D2.

R2-D2 Action Figure is remote controlled and transparent

Tomy the leading Japanese toy manufacturer has released a transparent version of the ever-popular radio-controlled R2-D2 mini action figure. The mini light saber which is also transparent doubles as a remote control using which you can move the R2D2 forward or turn on command, rotate his dome as he rolls, beep and whistle, and illuminate his photoreceptor “eye”. The transparent plastic lets you see the inner working of the R2D2.

Sega Toys Kotori - A robotic parrot

Sega Japan has announced two new pet parrots as a part of its 'Dream pet series'. They are the robotic avatars of "budgerigar" and "cockatiel" which are popular parakeets. They cannot fly or walk and can only nod their heads and give out parakeet calls. Their back is loaded with sensors and the parrots respond to touch and shake their heads in joy. Powered by button cells the Japan only product will sell from July 24 for 2730 Yen ($ 25).

Sega Toys Kotori - A robotic parrot

Sega Japan has announced two new pet parrots as a part of its 'Dream pet series'. They are the robotic avatars of "budgerigar" and "cockatiel" which are popular parakeets. They cannot fly or walk and can only nod their heads and give out parakeet calls. Their back is loaded with sensors and the parrots respond to touch and shake their heads in joy. Powered by button cells the Japan only product will sell from July 24 for 2730 Yen ($ 25).

Making Robots More Human

According to a researcher in Washington, the secret to making more human like robots is to first understand how that human part works. For instance, in trying to make a robotic hand, they had first made the finger bone joints smooth. It turns out they worked better when they really copied what a finger bone looks like, with a bumpy and rough surface.

Making Robots More Human

According to a researcher in Washington, the secret to making more human like robots is to first understand how that human part works. For instance, in trying to make a robotic hand, they had first made the finger bone joints smooth. It turns out they worked better when they really copied what a finger bone looks like, with a bumpy and rough surface.

Robot soldiers more than reality

Sounds like a scene out of a sci-fi flick but is more real than we imagined it to be. It's much like any other training exercise, except the soldiers are accompanied by a, an armed robot the size of a Humvee vehicle called Mule (Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment) controlled with a remote slightly resembling the one we have for Playstation.

Robot soldiers more than reality

Sounds like a scene out of a sci-fi flick but is more real than we imagined it to be. It's much like any other training exercise, except the soldiers are accompanied by a, an armed robot the size of a Humvee vehicle called Mule (Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment) controlled with a remote slightly resembling the one we have for Playstation.

Bobble Head Vader is So Ashamed of You

This bobble head Darth Vader is designed for your monitor, where he can look down on you in shame. What has disgusted him so? You. Slob. I mean, you were the chosen one! Yes, you! You always knew it, too, but gave up on moving objects with your mind at an early age while settling for a brief stint at community college and a decent office job. Sure, you've got a nice dog and a decent girlfriend, but you could have been wielding lightsabers and sharing awkward sexual tension with your sister.

Bobble Head Vader is So Ashamed of You

This bobble head Darth Vader is designed for your monitor, where he can look down on you in shame. What has disgusted him so? You. Slob. I mean, you were the chosen one! Yes, you! You always knew it, too, but gave up on moving objects with your mind at an early age while settling for a brief stint at community college and a decent office job. Sure, you've got a nice dog and a decent girlfriend, but you could have been wielding lightsabers and sharing awkward sexual tension with your sister.

Remote Channel Changer Ray Gun for the kid in you

You're never too big for toys, especially if it's a channel changer in the form of a Ray Gun. You can play pretend and imagine you are a part of the Star Trek team and zap the TV every now and then and flip the channels. For $18 it's not too much for a boy-toy but you will have to wait till August 16th for it to be available.

Remote Channel Changer Ray Gun for the kid in you

You're never too big for toys, especially if it's a channel changer in the form of a Ray Gun. You can play pretend and imagine you are a part of the Star Trek team and zap the TV every now and then and flip the channels. For $18 it's not too much for a boy-toy but you will have to wait till August 16th for it to be available.

Buffalo launches cartoon usb drive

Buffalo Japan today unveiled two new USB pen drives, based on famous cartoon characters. The "Ultraman" and "Rei Ayanami" are limited edition pen drives with 2GB storage capacity. According to the firm, only 3,000 copies of each drive are available. So go grab one for your child now.