Tag Archives: robots

New ‘Prometheus’ viral video introduces Michael Fassbender’s David the robot

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So I guess Ridley Scott didn’t mind letting this cat out of the bag before unleashing his pseudo-Alien prequel Prometheus unto the world. Turns out Michael Fassbender’s character David is a robot! Specifically, he’s an android built by Weyland Industries that’s headed by Guy Pearce’s character Peter Weyland. Is it Weyland’s plan to “change the world” by inventing “technological, intellectual, physical, and emotional” sentient beings? That is still being kept under wraps, as are major plot details of the highly anticipated sci-fi action movie. In the video embedded above you’ll meet David; it’s his birthday so be kind.

Prometheus is out June 8.

Robot responds to “beer me” phrase by–you guessed it–fetching you a beer

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The hacker boys of Willow Garage put their minds together to make the coolest robot ever–one that can fetch and serve you beer.  The PR2 robot responds to a web application called Beer Me.  Let’s come up with a situation… It’s the Super Bowl and you and the fellas want a batch of fresh cold beers from the back fridge.  You, the host of the party, will hop onto the nearest computer and run the Beer Me web app.  In it you can access a pull-down menu and specify the exact type of beer everyone wants.  Once the order is set, clicking the Beer Me button will activate the PR2 robot to fetch the beers for you.  The robot will navigate your house, identify the fridge, open its door, scan the racks for the beer, grab and place the beers onto a four-holed foam block (that’s located behind the robot’s base navigation laser), close the fridge door, and report back to you with the drinks.  (Note: If your type of beer is out of stock, the robot will notify the web app so you know to make a beer run.)  Now it’s time for the handoff.  The robot uses facial recognition to detect when a face is in close proximity so that beers are not dropped; in fact, PR2 will not let go of its death grip on the bottle until a face is detected.  After you take your drink, the robot will whip out a bottle opener; you have the option to take it to open the beer yourself, or the robot can do it for you.  Mind blown yet?  See it all happen in the “OMG”-inducing video above.  I want one.

[Via Engadget; WillowGarage]

Spike Jonze’s new short film is available for an online viewing

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Remember when I told you about Spike Jonze’s latest project titled I’m Here, a 30-minute short film about robots in love?  After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January, I’m Here is finally available to watch online.  Here’s an updated synopsis for you:

I’m Here is a love story about two robots living in contemporary Los Angeles. The sad-eyed robot librarian Sheldon (Andrew Garfield) leads a lonely and methodical life, until he one day meets Francesca, a creative and free-spirited female robot (played by Sienna Guillory). Robot romance develops and the story is just as beautiful as it is unpredictable.

Though it’s sponsored by Absolut Vodka, you won’t find any product placement in the film.  When you’re ready to sit back, relax, and pop some popcorn, head over to www.imheremovie.com to watch short film.  The site is pretty neat, actually; it all plays out like you’re going to a virtual movie theatre.  And get this–the site limits the audience to 5,000 viewers per day.  So if the theatre’s all filled up today, better luck tomorrow.  Enjoy.

Skyscraper built by robots wards off natural disaster

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‘Nested’ Skyscraper, designed by American architects Ryohei Koike and Jarod Poenisch.

Projected to be situated in Tokyo, the architects observed that this location is known for its extreme climate changes, densities, earthquakes and flows.  ‘Nested’ skyscraper looks to counteract these extremes with lightness, flexibility and transparency.  Using primarily composite materials and a dual layer fascade composed of ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), the entire building can be lightweight and flexible, while the construction process uses far less energy.

Speaking of the construction process…

Building this structure involves a series of robots that stretch over a network of carbon sleeves sprayed with fiber-laced concrete.  A second set of robots wraps the structure with a steel mesh to allow for lateral movements and can increase or decrease its density according to structural and programmatic needs.

And what makes it a “nested” skyscraper?  “The building acts as a series of nests that stretch between and around compressive elements as the vertical circulation wraps around and pierces through the entire project.  Together the materials and volumes create a hybrid relationship between compressive and tension elements, public and private spaces, and static and dynamic forms.”

I would totally live in this concept skyscraper of the future.  Wouldn’t you?

[Via DesignBoom; Gizmodo]

RoboThespian deserves an Oscar (or two)

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Meet RoboThespian, a robot that, according to Wired, “shows more acting range than some Hollywood stars.”  This is the third and obviously most advanced version of his kind created by Engineered Arts.  He’s powered by compressed air and air valves that aid in movement.  Lifelike detail can be found in his facial expressions and body movement.  The coolest part about him is that he can be programmed to perform a script at anyone’s whim and translate text to speech in English, Spanish, Germany, French, and Mandarin Chinese!  If you like what you see here, look after the break for additional videos showing off RoboThespian’s acting chops.

[Via Wired; Gizmodo; RoboThespian]

Continue reading RoboThespian deserves an Oscar (or two) →

NASA’s “Project M” can send robots to the Moon in 1,000 days

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This video of NASA Johnson Space Center’s “Project M” depicts a Robonaut-based, tele-operated mission to the Moon – one that JSC claims could be accomplished in 1,000 days once the go-ahead was given.

The background music alone has me pumped for sending exploratory robots into space.  1,000 days, eh?  If we can’t agree on sending more humans to the moon, why not send robots controlled by humans on Earth in motion-capture suits?  Let’s do it!

[Via YouTube; Gizmodo]

HUMAVIPS project to give robots key to our destruction

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A team of robotics researchers led by Radu Horaud began a project this year called the “Humanoids with auditory and visual abilities in populated spaces” (HUMAVIPS) project.  The goal?  To give robots the ability to possess “social skills” and mimic the “cocktail party effect,” which is “the human ability to focus attention on just one person in the midst of other people, voices and background noise.”  Natural interaction between humans and robots, huh?  If you were ever on the fence about Judgement Day being upon us…now what say you?

[Via Wired; Engadget]

Robot sculptures

Art, Design, Images, Technology,

These impressive robot sculptures are designed by artist Michael Rivamonte.  The majority of them stand three feet tall, are made from materials like steel, clay, and wood, and much detail is given to each body structure.  Rivamonte is a collector of antique and vintage objects and he uses them to create his robots.  As you can see from the gallery of photos, they are composed of random mechanical parts like old movie cameras, tube radios, hair dryers, binoculars, staplers, and drive-in movie speaker boxes.  Exposed wiring adds to the mechanical aesthetic.

[Via Gizmodo; DinosaursandRobots]

A breakthrough in prosthetics..or something else?

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UK-based BeBionic has gone ahead and created “the next generation of fully articulated myo-electric hands.”

Bebionic hands feature naturally compliant grip patterns combining innovative technology with life-like appearance. Functions of the hand such as speed, grip force and grip patterns may be custom programmed to suit individual user requirements through smart software and wireless technology. Lighter than existing products it will be available to the market at an affordable price.

In other words, expect J-Day to come sooner than you think.  Watch the grip patterns in the video above.

[Via Engadget; YouTube]

Asimo stars in “Living with Robots” documentary

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Our favorite robot Asimo stars in a Honda short-film documentary called “Living with Robots.”  The docu “investigates humankind’s keen interest in robots and how robots can challenge the impossible by saving lives while also holding the promise to become more integrated and helpful in daily life.”  In case you never heard of Honda’s ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), he’s “the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, and the company’s commitment to researching and developing bipedal mobility and how the research improves technologies across the company.”  You can take a peek at the trailer for it above.  If it pings your interest, the full length film was shown at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will hopefully find its way to DVD and Blu Ray soon.  Full PR after the break.

Isn’t that final sequence chilling, when Asimo looks at himself in the mirror?  He very naturally tilts his head inquisitively, as if he were human.  Help me realize our future: will robots take over the world (ie. iRobot) or will they develop to help maintain and better our lives?

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Asimo stars in “Living with Robots” documentary →