Prepare for robotic nightmares!

 

The robot, which mostly consists of a static torso supporting a highly animated and articulated head, was developed by engineers at Disney’s Research division, Walt Disney Imagineering, and robotics researchers from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and the California Institute of Technology.

Below is a video of the robot human interaction and it's enough to send a few shivers up your spine. Here's is there statement describing the video.

This video describes the development of a system for lifelike gaze in human-robot interactions using a humanoid animatronic bust. We present a general architecture that seeks not only to create gaze interactions from a technological standpoint, but also through the lens of character animation where the fidelity and believability of motion is paramount; that is, we seek to create an interaction which demonstrates the illusion of life.

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Atlas robot shows off unreal gymnastic routine

Boston Dynamics is at it again, this time they're showing off more moves that their Atlas robot can do than most humans today. We live in interesting times, just imagine what this robot will be able to do in 10 years. We've covered plenty about robots but this is truly outstanding.

Here is what they have to say about it:

Atlas uses its whole body -- legs, arms, torso -- to perform a sequence of dynamic maneuvers that form a gymnastic routine. We created the maneuvers using new techniques that streamline the development process. First, an optimization algorithm transforms high-level descriptions of each maneuver into dynamically-feasible reference motions. Then Atlas tracks the motions using a model predictive controller that smoothly blends from one maneuver to the next.  Using this approach, we developed the routine significantly faster than previous Atlas routines, with a performance success rate of about 80%. For more information visit us at https://www.BostonDynamics.com.

 Check out the video below.

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Just in case you need a robotic human tail, you're in luck

Cyberpunk is happening and it doesn't matter if you like it or not, because things are getting weirder all the time. 

In recent years, Japan has become a world leader in the booming field of wearable technology. Tokyo launched a Wearable Expo in 2015, the largest wearable tech fair in the world, featuring everything from augmented human hands to electronic kimonos.

The project, called Arque, is led by Yamen Saraiji, Junichi Nabeshima and Kouta Minamizawa. The researchers from Keio University came up with the idea last summer. "We were interested in (asking), 'how can we empower the human body with wearable technologies?'" Saraiji told CNN in a phone interview. You can read more here.

I imagine myself going about my morning routine, stepping out of the shower, brushing my teeth, combing my hair, getting ready to go to work. Whoops...I forgot my tail. Think Jurassic Human?

Check out the video below.

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Just a bunch of robot dogs pulling a truck!

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.

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Pole Dancing Robots, I guess this means the future is here?

I'm sure you've heard about the infamous pole dancing robots at a strip club in Vegas by now. If not, well you're in luck. Obviously this is a gimmick to get people into the strip club. Guess what, it worked! 

The Sapphire Club in Vegas employed two pole dancing robots to attract some new customers and get their name in the headlines. I think they are mildly interesting to say the least, but my guess is they are here to stay and version 2.0 will do a little more than shake their asses. One of the disturbing things about them though is their 80's style surveillance camera heads. It says to me, "You are watching us but we're watching you." 

Check out the video below to see them in action for yourself.

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Plant inspired robot curls and climbs

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.

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Amphibious Robot Travels on Snow, Ice and Water

We've covered quite a few interesting robots over the years, but this one is quite amazing. It's not bipedal, or four legged but almost manta ray in nature. It can skate on ice, snow, swim and move on land. This is the type of probe you want to send to a new planet for discoveries.

This Robot is Pliant Energy's Velox robot which is a beautiful swimmer than can leave the water and travel across sand, pebbles, paving, grass and even ice.

Applications

Highly maneuverable autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that can move from land to sea and back with ease. Ideal for surf zone, amphibious beach missions and polar ice missions

Personal propulsion for professional divers and recreational use

Stand-alone thruster to replace propellers on craft in environmentally-sensitive waters such as coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass beds

Stand-alone thruster to replace propellers on craft in debris-filled waters

Check out the video below for more.

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Atlas Robot Acting Human

Things are getting surreal. You've probably already seen this a hundred times but if not check out this robot acting human and athletic.

Atlas does parkour. The control software uses the whole body including legs, arms and torso, to marshal the energy and strength for jumping over the log and leaping up the steps without breaking its pace.  (Step height 40 cm.)  Atlas uses computer vision to locate itself with respect to visible markers on the approach to hit the terrain accurately.  For more information visit www.BostonDynamics.com.

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The Nano-Bots are coming!

You can obviously use your imagination to think about where this technology can lead. The applications are almost endless. But here is Rolls-Royce official statement below.

Rolls-Royce today demonstrated an exciting vision of how robotics could be used to revolutionise the future of engine maintenance. Bringing another element of its IntelligentEngine vision to life, Rolls-Royce teamed up with academics from the University of Nottingham and Harvard University to discuss and demonstrate a wide range of potential future technologies at the Farnborough Airshow, from ‘snake’ robots that work their way through the engine like an endoscope, to miniature, collaborative ‘swarm’ robots that crawl through the insides of an engine.

Rolls-Royce | SWARM robots from Rolls-Royce on Vimeo.

The IntelligentEngine vision, first introduced by Rolls-Royce at the Singapore Airshow earlier this year, describes a world where product and service have become so closely connected that they are inseparable. This vision drives activity across a range of fields, including robotics, with a particular focus on digital technologies.

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Just a real world robot out for a jog! Happy Mothers Day!

Oh boy, they're getting better and better all the time. Check it out!

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Draw, design, erase, repeat. Progress?

The new project is coming along in time for the new book launch next year, but it's all about draw, design, erase, test, draw, design erase, repeat... I guess that is progress. Haha, more to come.

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Something new in the making

I'm building something special for the release of my next book. This should be fun, more to come...

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Packing up my robot collection and moving into a new art studio

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.

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Celebrate what hides in the shadows.

Let the weirdness begin. In the spirit of the holiday that is upon us I will be posting some of my past artwork from various personal and professional projects that celebrate what hides in the shadows. Some scary and some, not so much. This first one is for a cover that I did for book coming out next year called "The Uncertainty".

Here's a panel out of a new title i'm working on.

It's dark in here. This is a rough back cover piece for a Sci-Fi story out in 2014.

I can't take it anymore. Just a rough sketch from my graphic novel that never saw the light of day until now.

Just a little something i'm working on for my next book.

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Neuromem download your memories today

10-10-13 Graphic Novel Release.

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