Until now, MAVs found their way from A to B with one of two methods—GPS navigation or a human pilot. Problem is, both of those rely on external systems to guide the robot. For a more autonomous MAV, the quad-copter must see for itself. More »

It's been almost exactly a year since Zodiac Pool Systems last expanded its line of Polaris-branded pool-cleaning robots, and it's now back with two more additions that fill out the top and bottom end of its lineup. That includes the company's most advanced robot to date, the $1499 Polaris 9400 Sport (pictured above), which adds four-wheel drive for the first time, as well as the company's new accelerometer-enhanced ActivMotion Sensor technology -- something Polaris says allows the robot to continually sense where it is in the pool and optimize its cleaning action accordingly. The 9100 Sport, on the other hand, gets neither of those new additions, but it'll "only" set you back $799, and will still clean pools up to 40 feet long in about two hours. You can get a closer look at those, as well as the company's existing offerings, at the source link below.

Continue reading Polaris' pool-cleaning robots get updated with added intelligence, four-wheel drive

Polaris' pool-cleaning robots get updated with added intelligence, four-wheel drive originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 07:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Using traditional lower leg and foot prosthetics is like walking in sand. Since the user can't push off with that foot, there's no muscle for power or an Achilles tendon to pull against. The BiOM prosthetic, however, supplements user effort with robot power. More »

Using traditional lower leg and foot prosthetics is like walking in sand. Since the user can't push off with that foot, there's no muscle for power or an Achilles tendon to pull against. The BiOM prosthetic, however, supplements user effort with robot power. More »

The 1950's were perhaps the peak of American Culture. The Post-War economy was booming and a future of flying cars driven by robot housemaids was all but guaranteed. On the West Coast, one local transit authority even had a bus for cleaning other busses. More »

Mobile apps let you play chess with someone anywhere on Earth, but these robot chess boards remotely connect two players over the internet. So while you still can't stare down your opponent, you still have the pleasure of physically moving your pieces. More »

Robot fights have evolved beyond the crudely-built spectacles from the turn of the century. A group of tinkerers are looking to host Battletech-style "robotic combat competitions" with guns and flamethrowers. Eat your heart out Constrictor. More »

In a fevered mash up of blockbuster films directed by James Cameron, DARPA is looking to put soldier controlled bi-pedal robots on the battlefield. Think Terminator meets Avatar. The agency has set aside $7 million of it's $2.8 billion 2012 budget to develop an "Avatar program" that will "develop interfaces and algorithms to enable a soldier to effectively partner with a semi-autonomous bi-pedal machine and allow it to act as the soldier's surrogate." DARPA isn't talking about simple remote control rigs, either -- these 'bots are being designed to clear rooms, and facilitate sentry control and combat casualty recovery. The new budget also sets aside $4.1 million to design laser countermeasures to protect military weapons, well, lasers -- ensuring that the future's robot soldiers will be nigh indestructible when they rebel against their human hosts.

DARPA's 'Avatar project' aims to give soldiers surrogate robots, make James Cameron proud originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 07:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's nothing like a good, firm handshake. Especially when it's with a robot, and you're in space. Yesterday, NASA's Robonaut completed its systems checks aboard the International Space Station — and celebrated with a handshake. More »

The famous Chili Crab dish from Singapore inspires more than just drooling. A pair of researchers have developed a robot with two tiny crab-like pincers that attacks stomach cancer via your mouth. More »

The Lockheed U-2 was designed to keep tabs on the Soviet Union over half a century ago. The RQ-4 Global Hawk drone was designed to replace this 50s antique. But how strange you are, fate! The U-2's replacing its successor. More »

Not only are robots getting their own social networks, but now the plan is for them to become increasingly taller than us humans -- at least that's what the people at Hajime Research have in mind. The company has in its strategic plans the ultimate goal of building a 59-foot large machine that could be a comic-book character all on its own; before it can do so, though, it's starting with a 13-foot humanoid. Hajime Sakamoto is the man behind the bizarre idea, and if there's anyone that can do, it's him. After all, in 2009 he built a seven-foot droid that remains one of the tallest this side of Saturn. Don't believe us? Catch the video after the break.

Continue reading Hajime Research is assembling a robot taller than you, Mr. Stark couldn't be more proud (video)

Hajime Research is assembling a robot taller than you, Mr. Stark couldn't be more proud (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's the stuff of slow-moving robopocalyptic nightmares: a 'soft robot' designed by a team of Harvard scientists that draws inspiration from invertebrates like worms and starfish. The wired 'bot is made from a flexible elastomer material that allows it to squeeze into spaces that are inaccessible for more traditional robots. Inside are chambers that inflate and deflate, allowing the thing to undulate forward. Definitely check out the robot in action after the break.

Continue reading Harvard-designed 'soft robot' shows you how low it can go (video)

Harvard-designed 'soft robot' shows you how low it can go (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's Easter in November! At least over at Android.com. The website's latest refresh brought us a whole lot of Ice Cream Sandwich, but the real treat's a bit of a hidden gem. Google's new site's packing an easter egg in the lower-left hand corner that has the little green robot doing the moonwalk, waving hello and juggling among other things. You can check it out in the video after the break, but the real fun awaits you at the source link below.

Continue reading Android.com easter egg has the robot doing the moonwalk (video)

Android.com easter egg has the robot doing the moonwalk (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 19 Nov 2011 23:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A pillow to the face is a good way to silence the snorer you sleep with. Unless you're the snorer. In that case you'd probably prefer to share a bed with Jukusui-kun, a robot polar bear that doubles as an intelligent pillow, gently waking you by tickling your face so you'll roll onto your side. More »

A researcher at the Netherland's University of Technology has invented a new type of eye surgery robot designed to steady the ophthalmologist's hands and minimize error -- always a good thing when it comes to having needles and knives near your peepers. Kind of like an Igor to a mad scientist, the robot is considered a "slave" to its "master" doctor, who controls the automaton's arms using two joysticks. The doctor is still in charge of the cuts, but the technology makes sure the MD jabs that needle in at the exact same entry point each time without shaking to minimize ocular marring. Another notable feature is the robot's ability to switch between tools quickly, ensuring that if this whole doctor thing doesn't work out, it'll at least have a job at Hibachi waiting. Jump past the break to check out the full PR.

Continue reading New high-precision eye surgery robot helps doctors stay sharp

New high-precision eye surgery robot helps doctors stay sharp originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UAV's are big, but they're not jet big—something the Navy's trying to correct with its X-47B, which aims to replace traditional fighters. Y'know, the ones with humans in them. Watch the drone killer stretch its wings a little. More »