We've covered a lot of various robots here that range from practical to WTF? This one is a head scratcher. Caltech’s LEONARDO (LEgs ONboARD drOne) is a bipedal robot that uses synchronized control of drone-like propellers and legged joints. This robot is under development at the Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies (CAST). Check out the video below. Personally, I don't get it.
If you follow this site then you know that we usually post progress on the artwork and story for Linder's comic books and graphic novel, current and future technologies, and related things that reflect similarities to the neo-noir futuristic graphic novel Prisoner of the Mind.
This creation is Mindar, a Buddist robot. The robot was unveiled at Kodaiji Temple in Kyoto to share Buddha's teachings in plain terms. Mindar is modeled after buddhist goddess of mercy, Kannon. The deity transforms itself into different forms to help people and “This time, Kannon changed into an android”.
The wise robot would “help people who usually have little connection with Buddhism to take an interest” in the religion.
Mindar the robot was created by the temple and MR. Hiroshi Ishiguro, a professor of intelligent robotics at Osaka University, It was built by Tokyo-based A-Lab Co.
Purdue University researchers have developed a robotic hummingbird that can pull off
the real thing's characteristic aerial stunts(Credit: Purdue University/Jared Pike)
This new hummingbird drone was designed and built by researchers at Purdue University. The coolest part of it is that it actually flies like a hummingbird. The 3D-printed body has wings made of carbon fiber membranes.
It has an electrical sense of touch and AI algorithms that can analyze those touches, basically creating a map to see in the dark. Bio-inspired robots and drones have been around for a long time, but this one seems closer than ever. Check out the video below.
Boston Dynamics research and development firm has brought us all kinds of interesting robots over the years. One of their newest creations is Spot, and Spot Mini; a four legged robot that can do many things. Up to this point, Boston Dynamics really hasn't offered any of their technology to the general public or corporate use, but apparently that will soon change. Check out the video below.
Here is a statement from their site: SpotMini Good Things Come in Small Packages
A nimble robot that handles objects, climbs stairs, and will operate in offices, homes and outdoors. SpotMini is a small four-legged robot that comfortably fits in an office or home. It weighs 25 kg (30 kg if you include the arm). SpotMini is all-electric and can go for about 90 minutes on a charge, depending on what it is doing. SpotMini is the quietest robot we have built. SpotMini inherits all of the mobility of its bigger brother, Spot, while adding the ability to pick up and handle objects using its 5 degree-of-freedom arm and beefed up perception sensors. The sensor suite includes stereo cameras, depth cameras, an IMU, and position/force sensors in the limbs. These sensors help with navigation and mobile manipulation.
Italian researchers have developed a soft robot that climbs and curls
like a plant tendril(Credit: IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)
A Plantoid robot, yep you read that right, is a plant inspired robot designed by Italian researchers to mimic curling plant tendrils, think living vines like we saw in Jumanji. It seems like humans always mimic nature when it comes to machines, after all it is nature that has spent an eternity working out the problems of walking or slithering a certain way. Anyway, it's a little creepy but check out the video below you to see for yourself.
This is definitely one of the weirdest ones of my collection.
I'm finally packing up my robot collection, and moving into my new studio. It's too bad I can't program one of them to take the batteries out of his friends and wrap them in bubble wrap.
