Science

Autonomous Pollution-Hunting Robot Fish Introduced Into Their (Un)natural Habitat

Robotic fish, developed by a team of European scientists, were today introduced into their (un)natural habitat, at the northern Spanish port Gijon.


May 20, 2012
Science

You Did What? Idiots Teach Robots How To Build Their Own Tools

Well, this is just fantastic. We’re all for the advancement of robot technology so that one day they can cater to our every beck and call. But researchers at ETH Zurich have foolishly designed a robot that can create its own custom tools to complete tasks.


May 18, 2012
Geek Out

Animated Terminator Busts Will Strike Fear In Sarah Connors Everywhere

Starting with a rare vinyl model of the T-800 that was released in limited numbers after Terminator 2 hit theatres, Japanese artists at T-Studios created these wonderfully detailed chrome terminator busts, complete with light-up eyes and animated features. It’s the perfect reminder that mankind’s days are numbered.


Science

The HyQ Is A Robotic Italian Stallion

DARPA may be the Big Dog of robotic cargo transport for now, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only game in town. A new design from the Italian Institute of Technology may look like the US Army’s pack-bot but it runs like a Ferarri — or at least a skittering, mechanical Ibex.


Science

NASA Wants To Snatch Asteroids With A Spiderman-Inspired Spiny Claw

Marvel’s web-slinger is able to scale tall buildings thanks to a set of spiny hairs on his fingers. And NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory thinks the same approach could make it easy for spacecraft to latch onto asteroids, comets and other irregularly shaped rocks.


May 17, 2012
Science

Creepy Russian Robot Seeks To Save Souls From Certain Death

Everyone stop everything. Listen, we’re all going to die at some point, but in the meantime a group called Russia-2045 is working to avoid this certain fate, and they’re building a robot to do so.


Science

This Paralysed Woman Just Drank A Bottle Of Coffee With Her Mind

Our Ghost in the Shell dystopian future will be here sooner than you think. A new study published in Nature today demonstrates for the first time that robotic limbs can successfully be controlled with just the power of the user’s mind.


Science

This Talented One-Armed Juggling Robot Is The Future Of Busking

In today’s tough economic climate even industrial robots are having a hard time finding work. So it’s nice to see that researchers at Chiba University in Japan have successfully taught a robot arm how to juggle. An important skill that will let robots continue to earn a living by busking on the streets.


May 13, 2012
Software

Qumarion ‘Robot’ Brings Mannequins To Life

Gizmodo AU

We live in an age of 3D models of just about everything, but they can be tough to manipulate with existing software tools. This Qumarion is a “mannequin input device” that allows 3D modellers to modify existing human models in real time.


May 10, 2012
Geek Out

The Most Realistic Robotic Arse Ever Made

In the never-ending quest to bridge the uncanny valley, Japanese scientists have turned to one area of research that has, so far, gone ignored: the robotic arse.