Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Developer pairs robot with gaming controllers for remote cat grooming, affection expression]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/developer-pairs-robot-with-gaming-controllers-for-remote-cat-gro/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/developer-pairs-robot-with-gaming-controllers-for-remote-cat-gro/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/03/developer-pairs-robot-with-gaming-controllers-for-remote-cat-gro/#comments You could take the time to make your cat feel loved. Or you could augment a robot to do it for you. Software engineer Taylor Veltrop has accomplished this by combining a 21-inch-tall Nao robot, a few Wiimotes, a Kinect sensor bar, a treadmill and a head-mounted display. The configuration, which represents about a year's work and several thousand dollars in parts, uses the Kinect and Wii remotes to control the robot's arms, the sensor bar and treadmill to provide movement and the head-mounted display to move the Nao's head and adjust its camera angle. This is still a work in progress, and doesn't include things like two-way audio, which Veltrop plans to implement using an integrated microphone and speakers. Click past the break for a video of robotic feline grooming action.

Continue reading Developer pairs robot with gaming controllers for remote cat grooming, affection expression

Developer pairs robot with gaming controllers for remote cat grooming, affection expression originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catgroominghead-mounted displayHead-mountedDisplayKinectNaoNao robotNaoRobotrobotspeakersTaylor VeltropTaylorVeltroptwo-way audioTwo-wayAudiovideoWiimoteWiimote controllerWiimoteControllerTue, 03 Jan 2012 16:53:00 EST<![CDATA[MyRobots.com: for all of your robot's social needs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/myrobots-com-for-all-of-your-robots-social-needs/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/myrobots-com-for-all-of-your-robots-social-needs/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/myrobots-com-for-all-of-your-robots-social-needs/#comments You have your Facebook, Twitter, and some even MySpace. But what about your beloved cyborgs? They've got social needs too, you know. According to NewScientist, there's a new site on the block that'll allow your droids to have status updates of their own. Furthermore, MyRobots.com aims to be a complete social hub for humanoids; aside from the "I need to be charged" updates, they'll also secure a complete profile with name and photo. Of course, apps couldn't be left behind, which is why the company is planning a cloud-based app store to cap off its efforts. Unfortunately, just like The Facebook in its early days, the site is only open to a select few for now: Nao and Arduino-based robots. Needless to say, if you're going to have your mechanical partner make you a sandwich, the least you can do is let it share its feelings with friends.

MyRobots.com: for all of your robot's social needs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Arduinoarduino robot systemmyrobots social networkmyrobots.comnaonao robotnao robotsrobotrobotssocial networksocial network robotssocial networkingSocialNetworkSocialNetworkingWed, 21 Dec 2011 00:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Aldebaran Robotics announces Nao Next Gen humanoid robot (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/10/aldebaran-robotics-announces-nao-next-gen-humanoid-robot-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/10/aldebaran-robotics-announces-nao-next-gen-humanoid-robot-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/10/aldebaran-robotics-announces-nao-next-gen-humanoid-robot-video/#comments
Aldebaran Robotics' Nao robot has already received a few upgrades from both the company itself and other developers, but it now has a proper successor. Aldebaran took the wraps off its new and improved Nao Next Gen robot today, touting features like a 1.6GHz Atom processor and dual HD cameras that promise to allow for better face and object recognition even in poor lighting conditions. What's more, while robot's outward appearance hasn't changed much, it has also received a number of software upgrades, including Nuance voice recognition, an improved walking algorithm, and a number of other measures to cut down on unwanted collisions. As before, the robot is aimed squarely at researchers and developers, but the Aldebaran's chairman notes that the company is continuing to pursue its goal of providing a Nao intended for individuals -- a goal he notes is being aided by the contributions from its developer program. Check out the gallery below and the video after the break for a closer look.

Gallery: Nao Next Gen

Continue reading Aldebaran Robotics announces Nao Next Gen humanoid robot (video)

Aldebaran Robotics announces Nao Next Gen humanoid robot (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticshumanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotnaonao next genNaoNextGennuancerobotvideoSat, 10 Dec 2011 00:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Nao robot grabs a head-mounted camera, puts your photographic skills to shame]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/09/nao-robot-grabs-a-head-mounted-camera-puts-your-photographic-sk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/09/nao-robot-grabs-a-head-mounted-camera-puts-your-photographic-sk/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/09/nao-robot-grabs-a-head-mounted-camera-puts-your-photographic-sk/#commentsYou see, herein lies the problem. At a glance, Nao looks humane. Even kind. In fact, it's bruited that he's helped on a few missions in his day. But underneath, he's a cold-blooded talent snatcher, and thanks to a little push from one Raghudeep Gadde, he might just capture your vacation in a manner that's superior to your own. As the story goes, this here scientist at the International Institute of Information Technology in Hydrabad, India, converted the humanoid into quite the shooter. He strapped a camera on its dome, and then programmed it to follow a pair of iron-clad photographic guidelines: the rule of thirds, and the golden ratio. Purportedly, Nao does a ton of analysis before finally deciding on how to compose and capture a shot, and for his next trick, he'll run circles around your existing Lightroom actions. So much for perfecting your craft, eh?

Nao robot grabs a head-mounted camera, puts your photographic skills to shame originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cameracamerashumanoidnaonao robotNaoRobotphotophotographyRaghudeep GaddeRaghudeepGadderobotroboticSat, 09 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Aldebaran to create all-terrain disaster relief robots, make a hero of Nao?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/aldebaran-to-create-all-terrain-disaster-relief-robots-make-a-h/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/aldebaran-to-create-all-terrain-disaster-relief-robots-make-a-h/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/aldebaran-to-create-all-terrain-disaster-relief-robots-make-a-h/#comments We've seen Nao bust a move and play a little footy, and now its creator is making plans to take its bots off-roading in the name of disaster relief. Aldebaran robotics recently announced its intention to invest in and develop a range of robots that can traverse rocky roads to help in hazardous situations, citing the tsunami in Japan as a catalyst for the move. The company's yet to state how it will make this happen, but says it's already made contributions to Cap Robotique, the "French cluster dedicated to the development and innovation in the field of service robotics." If you ask us, we're all for Nao gettin' a little dirt under its nails, as long as it can still serve Fosse. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Aldebaran to create all-terrain disaster relief robots, make a hero of Nao?

Aldebaran to create all-terrain disaster relief robots, make a hero of Nao? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticsall terrainall-terrainAllTerraindisasterdisaster reliefDisasterRelieffrancehumanoidjapanjapan tsunamiJapanTsunaminaorobotroboticsrobotsserviceservice robotServiceRobottsunamiTue, 22 Mar 2011 09:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Nao robot gets a new charging station, Kinect / Wiimote controls]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/nao-robot-gets-a-new-charging-station-kinect-wiimote-controls/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/nao-robot-gets-a-new-charging-station-kinect-wiimote-controls/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/07/nao-robot-gets-a-new-charging-station-kinect-wiimote-controls/#comments
Robots that are able to find a charger and plug themselves in may not be that unique anymore, but most of those chargers tend to leave the robot with little to do while it replenishes its batteries. Not so with this new charger developed by Aldebaran Robotics for its Nao robot, which basically consists of a retractable extension cord that leaves the robot free to continue interacting with its owner, or simply sit down and chill out as the case may be. What's more, while that comes from Aldebaran itself, we're also now starting to see some results out of the company's new developer program, and it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that one of the first standout projects involves Wiimote and Kinect controls. Head on past the break to see both it and the new charging station on video.

Continue reading Nao robot gets a new charging station, Kinect / Wiimote controls

Nao robot gets a new charging station, Kinect / Wiimote controls originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 20:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticschargerchargingcharging stationChargingStationkinectnaonao robotNaoRobotvideowiimoteMon, 07 Mar 2011 20:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Nao developer program kicks off: $4,800, robot included]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/nao-developer-program-kicks-off-4-800-robot-included/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/nao-developer-program-kicks-off-4-800-robot-included/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/28/nao-developer-program-kicks-off-4-800-robot-included/#comments
We've been following Aldebaran Robotics' Nao humanoid robot literally since it took its first steps, and it looks like interested developers will finally be able to get their hands on a bot of their own quite soon. To do so, they'll have to sign up and quality for the just-launched Nao developer program, which costs €3,600 (or roughly $4,800) and will initially be limited to just 200 participants. That hefty price does naturally include the robot itself, along with a complete software suite, and "privileged access" to Aldebaran Robotics' source code. Interested? Hit up the link below for the complete details.

Nao developer program kicks off: $4,800, robot included originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticshumanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotnaonao developer programNaoDeveloperProgramrobotSun, 28 Nov 2010 06:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Nao robots get together to get down, put a ring on it (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/nao-robots-get-together-to-get-down-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/nao-robots-get-together-to-get-down-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/18/nao-robots-get-together-to-get-down-video/#comments We've seen evidence of the Nao robots' dancing capabilities in the past, but this gigantic group of them cutting the rug together is off-the-charts impressive. Check out the video below, plus a very special video we made just for you. Because we love you.

[Thanks, Axel]

Continue reading Nao robots get together to get down, put a ring on it (video)

Nao robots get together to get down, put a ring on it (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aldebaran RoboticsAldebaranRoboticsawesomedancedancingnaorobotrobotsvideoFri, 18 Jun 2010 13:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Cignias NAO Symphony wireless iPod boombox gets unboxed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/cignias-nao-symphony-wireless-ipod-boombox-gets-unboxed/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/cignias-nao-symphony-wireless-ipod-boombox-gets-unboxed/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/01/cignias-nao-symphony-wireless-ipod-boombox-gets-unboxed/#comments Cignias' NAO Symphony still doesn't seem to be widely available following its CES unveiling, but our good pal Dave Zatz looks to have sourced one from the wild, wild abyss. He did the world a favor by hosting up unboxing shots and a few first impressions, noting that this "sophisticated" iPod speaker dock actually interests him far more than most of those me-too offerings cluttering shelves today. Unfortunately, he's still working on getting the iPhone app to connect to a hidden SSID, but feel free to hit the source link and peruse the image gallery while he gets that ironed out.

Update: This is now available directly from Cignias.

Cignias NAO Symphony wireless iPod boombox gets unboxed originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioboomboxCigniasCignias NAO SymphonyCigniasNaoSymphonyhands-onmusicnaoNAO SymphonyNaoSymphonystereostreamstreamerstreamingwireless musicwireless music stationwireless streamingWirelessMusicWirelessMusicStationWirelessStreamingMon, 01 Feb 2010 02:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Cignias NAO Symphony iPod speaker enables WiFi control with iPhone and BlackBerry]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/cignias-nao-symphony-ipod-speaker-enables-wifi-control-with-ipho/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/cignias-nao-symphony-ipod-speaker-enables-wifi-control-with-ipho/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/cignias-nao-symphony-ipod-speaker-enables-wifi-control-with-ipho/#comments





If you were too timid to make the leap when this bad boy went up for pre-order, the Cignias NAO Symphony (and NAO Symphony Noir, which is the same thing, except dressed in black) is available for sale. The iPhone / iPod touch (second gen and later) dock can be controlled wirelessly from the included remote control, yet another iPhone / iPod touch or via BlackBerry app (which strikes us as bizarre, truth be told). In addition, your Apple or BlackBerry smart phone can stream music to it over WiFi or you can use any BlackBerry vie Bluetooth. Boasting a modest 50 watts, the device is available will run you $299 -- hit the source link to get started. PR after the break.

Continue reading Cignias NAO Symphony iPod speaker enables WiFi control with iPhone and BlackBerry

Cignias NAO Symphony iPod speaker enables WiFi control with iPhone and BlackBerry originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebluetoothbluetooth streamingBluetoothStreamingcesces 2010Ces2010cigniascignias inccignias naoCignias NAO SymphonyCigniasIncCigniasNaoCigniasNaoSymphonydock speakerdock speakersDockSpeakerDockSpeakersiphoneipodipod dockipod touchIpodDockmusic naomusicnaonaoNAO SymphonyNaoSymphonyspeakerspeakerswifiWiFi StreamingWifiStreamingFri, 08 Jan 2010 10:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Nao performs Star Wars homage, scores mad geek cred]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/nao-performs-star-wars-homage-scores-mad-geek-cred/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/nao-performs-star-wars-homage-scores-mad-geek-cred/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/nao-performs-star-wars-homage-scores-mad-geek-cred/#comments While we're still busy thinking up legitimate uses for a humanoid robot, Aldebaran Robotics keeps finding newer and zanier ways to play with its Nao. The latest is a pre-programmed Star Wars routine that should have all you aging loyalists positively moist with glee, and even includes a terrific R2D2 impersonation that is not to be missed. Past the break, you shall find it. Oh, and as to real world uses, there are further videos of Nao reading out your emails and doing balancing acts, which may be found at the source link.

Continue reading Nao performs Star Wars homage, scores mad geek cred

Nao performs Star Wars homage, scores mad geek cred originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticsbotc-3podarth vaderDarthVaderhomagehumanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotjapannaoosakaosaka universityOsakaUniversityr2d2robotrobotsstar warsStarWarsFri, 11 Dec 2009 08:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Cignias NAO Symphony iPod speaker enables WiFi control with iPhone and BlackBerry]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/27/cignias-nao-symphony-ipod-speaker-enables-wifi-control-with-ipho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/27/cignias-nao-symphony-ipod-speaker-enables-wifi-control-with-ipho/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/27/cignias-nao-symphony-ipod-speaker-enables-wifi-control-with-ipho/#comments You know what's annoying? Having to get up and walk all the way to your iPod dock to pick a song. Sure, there's the good old remote control these days, but you'd still need to squint at the tiny screen from afar if you want any modicum of song control. The couch potatoes at Cignias probably felt the same pain and thus came up with the free MusicNAO app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and BlackBerry, allowing you to control and browse content over WiFi on the iPod docked on NAO Symphony speakers. It doesn't end there: you can also stream music from the latest iPhone OS devices over Bluetooth, and the same goes for BlackBerry phones but with the addition of WiFi streaming. There's no word on the sound quality yet, but the adventurous among you can pre-order a NAO Symphony for $249 ahead of its December 1st launch.

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Cignias NAO Symphony iPod speaker enables WiFi control with iPhone and BlackBerry originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebluetoothbluetooth streamingBluetoothStreamingcigniascignias inccignias naoCignias NAO SymphonyCigniasIncCigniasNaoCigniasNaoSymphonydock speakerdock speakersDockSpeakeriphoneipodipod dockipod touchmusic naomusicnaonaoNAO SymphonyNaoSymphonyspeakerspeakerswifiWiFi StreamingWifiStreamingFri, 27 Nov 2009 03:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Nao humanoid robot gets its hands on Microsoft's Surface]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/nao-humanoid-robot-gets-its-hands-on-microsofts-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/nao-humanoid-robot-gets-its-hands-on-microsofts-surface/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/02/nao-humanoid-robot-gets-its-hands-on-microsofts-surface/#comments
We're no strangers to Aldebaran Robotics' little humanoid robot, Nao -- in fact, we've seen plenty of him over the years. We've also spied our fair share of Microsoft's Surface table, too -- but you know, we've definitely never seen the two together in the same room. Interacting. Sounds pretty interesting, right? It did to us too, so we popped some popcorn and sat back to enjoy a full minute's viewing bliss of these two -- and we have to say, it was well worth it. Nao demonstrates his dexterity at zooming in and out on a photograph of a tiger (which looks suspiciously exact to one we paint-by-numbered last year), and moves around a stack of various other photos, too. It's all great, impressive fun, and we have to say, the fact that Nao is spewing French makes it all the cuter, and though it's been a while since we cracked our college texts, we're fairly certain he says "Microsoft Surface is so awesome, but I'm holding out for Windows 7" at one point. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Nao humanoid robot gets its hands on Microsoft's Surface

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Nao humanoid robot gets its hands on Microsoft's Surface originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aldebaran RoboticsAldebaranRoboticsmicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfacenaorobotrobotssurfacevideoWed, 02 Sep 2009 08:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Sony Rolly vs Nao in epic robot dance off]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/video-sony-rolly-vs-nao-in-epic-robot-dance-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/video-sony-rolly-vs-nao-in-epic-robot-dance-off/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/video-sony-rolly-vs-nao-in-epic-robot-dance-off/#comments While Sony's $400 Rolly never made much sense as a roll-about musical robot, at least Aldebaran Robotics' Nao could walk upright and play a little football. Now the two have come together to battle on the dance floor. The 91 second video posted after the break is about 70 seconds too long, but consider this your moment of Zen for the day. Bonus points for any readers who re-enact this for Halloween.

Continue reading Video: Sony Rolly vs Nao in epic robot dance off

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Video: Sony Rolly vs Nao in epic robot dance off originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsaldebaranroboticsbattledancedance offDanceOffhalloweennaorobotrollysonyWed, 26 Aug 2009 05:40:00 EST<![CDATA[RoboCup bots experiment with our preconceived notions of competition, standing up]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/robocup-bots-experiment-with-our-preconceived-notions-of-competi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/robocup-bots-experiment-with-our-preconceived-notions-of-competi/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/04/robocup-bots-experiment-with-our-preconceived-notions-of-competi/#comments
We've been tracking the glacial pace of RoboCup competition for a while now, and we're starting to see it as less of a credible threat to human soccer players, and more like an elaborate experiment on the part of the robots to broaden our perception of the world and competitive sport. Or maybe there's just a few more bugs to work out. This year's Standard Platform League of the RoboCup is based on Nao humanoid bots, and the Northern Bites team of Bowdoin College posted some truly insightful footage of the event -- the finals of which can be found after the break.

Continue reading RoboCup bots experiment with our preconceived notions of competition, standing up

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RoboCup bots experiment with our preconceived notions of competition, standing up originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bowdoin collegeBowdoinCollegenaonorthern bitesNorthernBitesrobocupstandard platform leagueStandardPlatformLeagueMon, 04 May 2009 15:41:00 EST<![CDATA[NAO humanoid robots gets a price tag, exhaustive overview]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/23/nao-humanoid-robots-gets-a-price-tag-exhaustive-overview/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/23/nao-humanoid-robots-gets-a-price-tag-exhaustive-overview/http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/23/nao-humanoid-robots-gets-a-price-tag-exhaustive-overview/#comments
We've been keeping an eye on Aldebaran's NAO robot since before it even took its first steps, and it now looks like the little guy is finally set to try to make it on its own in the wild world of the commercial market. That word comes courtesy of an exhaustive white paper posted by Aldebaran on the arXiv website, which also includes the helpful little detail that the bot will cost interested laboratories about €10,000 (or roughly $15,600). Unfortunately, there's no indication as to exactly when the bot will be available, but those in the market for one can at least tide themselves a bit over by pouring over the details available in the PDF at the link below.

[Via Slashdot]

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NAO humanoid robots gets a price tag, exhaustive overview originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticshumanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotnaorobotWed, 23 Jul 2008 18:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Aldebaran's Nao robot makes RoboCup appearance]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/05/aldebarans-nao-robot-makes-robocup-appearance/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/05/aldebarans-nao-robot-makes-robocup-appearance/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/05/aldebarans-nao-robot-makes-robocup-appearance/#comments
Aldebaran Robotics' Nao robot certainly doesn't seem to be in any rush to take over the world, but it looks like it's at least making some progress, as evidenced by its appearance at RoboCup 2007 in Atlanta this week. What's more, the company's just revealed that it's decided to give Nao some companionship, introducing a new, slightly smaller model with added sensors, eyes, and "dozens of other improvements," not to mention a spiffy new red paint job. While Aldebaran will apparently have more to say about that particular bot "in the next weeks so," you can check out a video of it in action at the link below, along with one of the older Nao walking slightly more steadily than before, though apparently still not able to muster up a kick.

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Aldebaran's Nao robot makes RoboCup appearance originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticsnaorobocuprobocup2007Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Aldebaran Robotics' Nao robot takes first steps]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/aldebaran-robotics-nao-robot-takes-first-steps/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/aldebaran-robotics-nao-robot-takes-first-steps/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/aldebaran-robotics-nao-robot-takes-first-steps/#commentsLast we heard from Aldebaran Robotics' Nao robot it didn't exactly have all that many skills to show off, simply waving to the camera and uttering a few words to prove that it was more than just an illustration. It looks like it's been spending the last few months learning some new tricks though, with it now able to stand on its own two feet and walk across the room. As you can see in the video linked below, however, it isn't all that graceful, and it certainly doesn't look like it'll be challenging PLEN to a skateboarding competition anytime soon.

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Aldebaran Robotics' Nao robot takes first steps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranaldebaran roboticsAldebaranRoboticsnaorobotFri, 20 Apr 2007 16:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Aldebaran Robotics' Nao humanoid robot in action]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/15/aldebaran-robotics-nao-humanoid-robot-in-action/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/15/aldebaran-robotics-nao-humanoid-robot-in-action/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/15/aldebaran-robotics-nao-humanoid-robot-in-action/#commentsAs if WowWee didn't give us all enough robotic video action during last week's CES, now we've got a more domesticated rendition showing off in front of the camera as Aldebaran Robotics' Nao flashes its lights and waves to the crowd before emerging onto the market. Right on schedule, the company's previously elusive humanoid bot is finally making some appearances, and while we're still not sure how it'll look entirely, the firm's site has been recently updated to showcase bits and pieces, and to presumably prove the whole thing wasn't a shenanigan. Nevertheless, the Nao prototype is indeed looking mighty fit, and while we've no way of proving his waving video was actually triggered via a WiFi controller programmed with Linux, that's precisely what we're led to believe. So go on, hit the read link for a few sneak peeks at the robot itself, as well as the crew behind the creation, and hopefully we'll get a finalized product here before too long.

[Via LinuxDevices]

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Aldebaran Robotics' Nao humanoid robot in action originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aldebaranbutlerdomesticatedfrancefrenchhouse botHouseBotin the wildInTheWildlinuxnaoservantvideowifiMon, 15 Jan 2007 02:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Aldebaran Robotics promises humanoid "Nao" robot by 2007]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/aldebaran-robotics-promises-humanoid-nao-robot-by-2007/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/aldebaran-robotics-promises-humanoid-nao-robot-by-2007/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/aldebaran-robotics-promises-humanoid-nao-robot-by-2007/#comments French start-up Aldebaran Robotics has recently gone public with its plans to deliver a humanoid household robot by 2007, although judging from their website, they still seem to be milking the mystery aspect pretty well, complete with tantalizing close-ups of unidentifiable robot parts. If it ever becomes a reality, Aldebaran's "Nao" robot looks like it could be a big brother to Kyosho's Manoi AT01, standing a full 22 inches tall and, from its silhouette at least, looking like it rolled off the same assembly line. The bot should also please homebrew aficionados, running on Linux and controllable via its built-in WiFi, with customization possible using the open source URBI programming language. Best of all, it appears that Nao comes complete with kung-fu grip action, although we're guessing it'll be too expensive to risk an updated bout of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots.

[Via Linux Devices]

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Aldebaran Robotics promises humanoid "Nao" robot by 2007 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aldebaranbothumanoidlinuxnaorobotroboticsurbiFri, 21 Jul 2006 19:35:00 EST