Dec 06 2005
The Plen is one of the few humanoid robots to come out of IREX that I had not previously heard of. Unfortunately I have not been able to dig up much information on it yet either. What I have learned is that is being developed by Systec Akazawa, a Japanese aircraft parts maker. It has …
Dec 04 2005
I must admit that I am having a hard time keeping up with all of the reports coming out of IREX. Even though I am falling behind, there are still a handful of robots in my backlog that I feel are worthy of mention, the first being the HOAP-3. Fujitsu has been developing the HOAP …
Dec 04 2005
There are still a bunch of robots from IREX to cover, but Engadget’s got a story today about one (very important) person that was not completely enamored with the nuvos, Kondos, and HOAPs on display in Tokyo last week. The Father of Robotics himself, Joseph Engelberger, was at the show and not particularly enthused with …
Dec 03 2005
Although the acronym IREX stands for International Robot Exhibition, not everything on display in Tokyo this week is a robot in the traditional sense. Take the HAL-5 bionic suit for example. Developed by Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba in Japan over a period of more than ten years, the HAL-5, or hybrid assistive …
Dec 03 2005
Another familiar face on display at IREX this week was the nuvo. Manufactured by ZMP, Inc. and billed as “the first-home-use-type humanoid robot in the world,” the nuvo stands 39 cm tall and weights 2.5 kg. Looking more like a work of modern art than a fully functional robot, the nuvo has its designer Ken …
Dec 02 2005
Although it’s been around for more than a year and a half, the Kondo KHR-1 robot made an appearance at IREX this week showing off its moves. Sozbots, Kondo’s manufacturer, bills it as a “fighting” robot, which makes sense since it was initially designed for participation in the Robo-One Robot Fighting Tournaments. Weighing 1.2 kg …
Dec 01 2005
Akihabaranews.com continues their excellent coverage of IREX today with some great photos of the BN-17 Swiffer Robot by Bandai. Although it is pictured pushing a Swiffer, cleaning floors is only one of the capabilities of this robot. Its other functions include those common to other modern companion robots including home security, e-mail, and web access. …
Nov 30 2005
The IREX International Robot Expo 2005 is in full swing in Tokyo, Japan right now. Hundreds of companies, organizations and researchers have their robots on display for the public to interact with. From entertainment robots to cleaning bots to robotic receptionists, there are many fresh faces and some familiar ones as well. One of the …
Nov 29 2005
Popular Science has an article today about the Kegbot, a keg fridge crossed with a Linux computer. Developed by software engineer Mike Wakerly, the system is built around a microcontroller that manages a valve and flowmeter that’s been integrated into the tap line of an ordinary keg fridge. The controller is interfaced to a Linux …
Nov 25 2005
As part of the Artificial Mouse (AMOUSE) Project, researchers from the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the University of Zurich have developed a robotic mouse, the AMouse, that navigates by means of an omnidirectional camera, several light sensors, and two active artificial whisker arrays. In nature, vibrissae, better known as whiskers, are important sensors for short-range …
