Gizmodo Australia » droids

R2-D2 Aquarium With Radar Eye Periscope

Sean Fallon — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Now you can add “fish tank” along side “beverage cooler” and “projector” on the long list of job titles R2-D2 has had in his post-acting career. But rest assured that no matter what his occupation happens to be, R2 has a strong work ethic. In addition to housing your fish, he will rotate his head and utter his trademark bleeps with any voice command. He also features overhead LED tank lights that rotate colours and a periscope built-into his radar eye for spying on the fish floating in his robo-belly. On the downside, R2 never works cheap—this beauty will set you back $US130. [Hammacher Schlemmer via TFTS via Geekalerts]

Honda’s Groin-Threatening Robo-Legs Demonstrated On Video

John Herrman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:18:29 +0000

Why Honda took a few days to seed a video of their potentially emasculating robotic legs is beyond me, but here it is: a faceless man running the “Walking Assist Device” through its strides (ha, ha). My fears of testicular danger are only partially mitigated, and the fact that the legs have a hilariously feminine gait doesn’t offer much comfort. That said, they do seem to work: the demonstrator never falls down, and appears to exert very little energy, even during deep squats. [Akihabara]

Honda Robo-Legs Help Mobility at the Expense of Fertility

John Herrman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:11:04 +0000

Honda’s first foray into robotising old peoples’ haunches looked pretty tame, but this new one, on which geriatrics are supposed to mount like some sort of meat trophy, feels like a glimpse into a horrible, dystopian future where up is down, right is wrong and grandmas and grandpas amble through Sears on mechanised rectal steeds instead of walkers. The machine, which I’m 90% sure is just the missing half of this Battle Droid from Attack of the Clones, is more a passive support device than it is a set of active robot limbs, though it does have a small electric motor.

Details are a bit sparse for the time being, but Honda claims that the legs transparently reduce the strains of walking, standing and crouching, and should be “as easy to use as a bicycle.” The AP reporter who got to test the robo-legs had this to say about them:

This reporter found it does take some getting used to. But I could sense how it supported my moves, pushing up on my bottom when I squatted and pushing at my soles to help lift my legs when I walked.

Uses will not be limited to assisting mobility for seniors. Honda claims that one of the most practical uses for the legs would be at factories, where workers may have to assume repetitive, uncomfortable postures. The device is still in its experimental stages, but Honda plans to start testing early models on its factory workers as soon as next month. [Honda via AP]

First Fembot Commercial Ever Heralds Imminent Robot Porn Market

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:20:00 +0000

Those crazy Japan-addicts from the Pink Tentacle have grabbed the first commercial ever made by a fembot. Actroid DER-2 stars in a 15-second TV ad titled “The Woman Who Doesn’t Rust”, promoting an insect repellent and sunscreen spray. From afar, she looks hey-babe-how-you-doin’ kind of good, but then they have to cut to a close-up and almost gave me a heart attack. Why a fembot needs sunscreen is beyond me. Lube after a few Old Fortrans, on the other side, it’s a completely different story. [Pink Tentacle]

Readybot is a Robot Maid for Cleaning Your Stuff, Version 0.1

Gizmodo US Edition — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:09:00 +0000

It’s hard not to watch this video of DIY robot Readybot and think “sweet… what’s the next version like?” Looking like everyone’s favourite trashcan-shaped sci-fi droid has collided with a dishwasher, Readybot’s intended to be a home-assistant ‘bot doing a maid’s job, cleaning your house. It may be slow and primitive now, but it looks pretty adept at grabbing stuff from the floor. And deploying a Roomba to do the vacuuming is genius. Actually an on-going development by makers The Readybot Robot Challenge, the robot will get more sophisticated, and we’ll be watching for Phase 2 later this year. I’ll get excited when it can put my clothes away and clean the cat litter tray. [Readybot]

DIY R2-D2 Is Even Better than the Real Thing

Jesus Diaz — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Chris James’ R2-D2 won four Make Magazine editors’ choice ribbons at Maker Faire and it’s easy to see why: not only does it have every detail from the original—except having a little person inside—but this one is even more charming, capable of singing the Star Wars theme, and Indiana Jones sound bites. It only needs to have a built-in projector to be absolutely perfect. We asked Chris about the obvious next step: installing sensory inputs and artificial intelligence to make it truly autonomous. His take—and another video of R2 dancing with kids at Maker Faire—after the jump.

R2-D2 Actor Kenny Baker Taken Ill, Giz Says Get Well Soon

Addy Dugdale — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:17:00 +0000

Kenny Baker, the man behind everyone’s favourite ‘droid, is in a Manchester hospital after suffering a severe asthma attack. The 73-year-old actor was on a Manchester-bound plane returning from a sci-fi convention in the US when he was taken ill. A speedy recovery from everyone at Gizmodo, Kenny. [Telegraph]

Life-Size Star Wars Droids Can Speak, Drain Wallets

Gizmodo US Edition — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:00 +0000

Sideshow Collectibles stopped just short of encasing Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker in fiberglass when they created these life-size C-3PO and R2-D2 collectibles. Due out later this year, the authentic figures are powered by lowly AA batteries and have working lights. They also make sounds from the movies and utter the characters’ classic catchphrases, like “beep” and “whistle” and “OVER HERE!” All this can be part of your private Star Wars collection for the galaxy-sized price tags of US$5,950 for C-3PO and US$5,450 for his smaller, quieter counterpart. [Sideshow Collectibles C-3PO and R2-D2]