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[TOSY and Justin Bieber announce mRobo: we go hands-on, dance-off (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/tosy-justin-bieber-announce-mrobo-we-go-hands-on-dance-off-v/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/tosy-justin-bieber-announce-mrobo-we-go-hands-on-dance-off-v/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/11/tosy-justin-bieber-announce-mrobo-we-go-hands-on-dance-off-v/#comments Beethoven's Fifth. Michelangelo's Pietà. Plato's Republic. Cornerstones of human civilization, to be sure, but they all pale in comparison to what we saw today at CES: TOSY's new mRobo robot, inspired by none other than the Cultural Colossus of our time, Justin Bieber. The Vietnamese manufacturer and pubescent Prince have just taken the wraps off their latest collaboration: a petite, portable speaker-robot that dances -- nay, transcends -- just like his only slightly larger progenitor counterpart. When in speaker mode, the mRobo weighs in at just 3.3 pounds, stands a little under eight inches tall, and boasts 2GB of internal memory. Its integrated speaker pumps out the jams at bass levels of 40Hz, but the real magic happens once the music starts playing, automatically prompting the system to transform into an 18-inch tall robot and start dancing. Unfortunately, the bot is still in prototype mode, but it's expected to retail for about $200 when it launches during the fall of 2012.

Today, though, we were lucky enough to get a sneak peak of the mRobo, courtesy of a mic'd-up Messiah with sweepy bangs and a leather jacket. Upon taking the stage to roars of applause and Jelly Bean sunshowers, Bieber went on to do a brief demo of the bot, displaying its ability to sync its dance moves to whatever tunes blare out of its abdomen speaker -- in this case, Billie Jean. The mRobo looked admittedly clumsy at times, and was especially awkward when onstage with the teen phenom, but, as TOSY repeatedly reminded us, it's still in prototype phase. (Bieber, for his part, did a good job of looking completely awestruck throughout much of the experience.) Before descending from his bubblegum pulpit, Bieber reminded his acolytes to "follow your dreams." Ours, at least, have just been realized. Follow yours past the break, straight to our hands-on video.

Mat Smith contracted Bieber Fever from this report.

Gallery: Tosy mRobo launch with Justin Bieber

Continue reading TOSY and Justin Bieber announce mRobo: we go hands-on, dance-off (video)

TOSY and Justin Bieber announce mRobo: we go hands-on, dance-off (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiobaby baby babyBabyBabyBabybassbelieberbieber feverBieberFeverbotcesces 2012Ces2012dancedancingdemodreamsjustin bieberJustinBiebermrobotmusicOMGOMGOMGportable speakerPortableSpeakerprototyperobotsoftwarespeakertosytruthvideowisdomWed, 11 Jan 2012 18:18:00 EST<![CDATA[Spherical hexapod robot walks like a crab, dances like the Bogle (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/spherical-hexapod-robot-walks-like-a-crab-dances-like-the-bogle/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/spherical-hexapod-robot-walks-like-a-crab-dances-like-the-bogle/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/12/spherical-hexapod-robot-walks-like-a-crab-dances-like-the-bogle/#comments Kåre Halvorsen (aka Zenta) is something of a genius in the robotic arts, as testified by the latest development in his long-running MorpHex project. By adding curved polycarbonate panels to its six feet and upper half, he's given his creation the ability to curl up into a ball when it gets tired of scuttling. Alas, he hasn't managed to make it roll around yet, or indeed fly, but the video after the break is still pretty amazing -- and almost as hypnotic as that robotic worm we caught doing the limbo.

Continue reading Spherical hexapod robot walks like a crab, dances like the Bogle (video)

Spherical hexapod robot walks like a crab, dances like the Bogle (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballboglecrabdancedancinghexapodKåre HalvorsenKåreHalvorsenmorphexpolycarbonaterobotroboticsspheresphericalvideoZentaMon, 12 Dec 2011 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Eliza is a doe-eyed, graceful dancing machine, lacks maniacal quality on the floor (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/eliza-is-a-doe-eyed-graceful-dancing-machine-lacks-maniacal-qu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/eliza-is-a-doe-eyed-graceful-dancing-machine-lacks-maniacal-qu/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/21/eliza-is-a-doe-eyed-graceful-dancing-machine-lacks-maniacal-qu/#comments Eliza Unlike the last batch of bots we've seen, Eliza is actually quite graceful. The cartoonish humanoid got its start as a guide, shuttling people around shopping malls and the Guangzhou Asian Games 2010 Experience Center. Now it's finally getting a chance to show off what it's got -- namely some ill dance moves. These four doe-eyed machines spin, perform complicated arm choreography in perfect synchronization, and pause to pose during this epic number. Clearly, the next step is for someone to teach them how to Dougie. Check out the videos after the break.

[Thanks, Robotbling]

Continue reading Eliza is a doe-eyed, graceful dancing machine, lacks maniacal quality on the floor (video)

Eliza is a doe-eyed, graceful dancing machine, lacks maniacal quality on the floor (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botbotschinadancedancingdancing botsdancing robotDancingBotsDancingRobotelizahumanoidmachinerobotrobotsvideoThu, 21 Jul 2011 13:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Spazzi dancebot can't teach you how to Dougie, but it's got the robot on lock]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/spazzi-dancebot-cant-teach-you-how-to-dougie-but-its-got-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/spazzi-dancebot-cant-teach-you-how-to-dougie-but-its-got-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/15/spazzi-dancebot-cant-teach-you-how-to-dougie-but-its-got-the/#comments Spazzi dancebot can't teach you how to Dougie, but it's got the robot on lock It looks like somebody's got some competition. So, Spazzi's probably not going to dethrone the reigning King of Cute, but judging from what we've seen of its moves, it could give Keepon some competition on the dance floor. This little, solenoid-packing robot, featured in the latest issue of Make, is actually kin to our boy Keepon, and uses an Arduino (holla!) to control the solenoid's and springs that give it that special robot swag. If you've been pining after Keepon, and have some DIY skills, hop on past the source link for the full build, or just check out a video of Spazzi gettin' its groove on after the break.

Continue reading Spazzi dancebot can't teach you how to Dougie, but it's got the robot on lock

Spazzi dancebot can't teach you how to Dougie, but it's got the robot on lock originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 03:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arduinobeatbotsdancedance botdance robotDanceBotDanceRobotdancingdancing botdancing robotDancingBotDancingRobotkeeponrobotrobotssolenoidspazzispazzi dancebotSpazziDancebotvideoFri, 15 Jul 2011 03:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Ph.D. student subjects advanced robot to dance, embarrassment (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/ph-d-student-subjects-advanced-robot-to-dance-embarrassment-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/ph-d-student-subjects-advanced-robot-to-dance-embarrassment-v/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/21/ph-d-student-subjects-advanced-robot-to-dance-embarrassment-v/#commentsSarcos This is Sarcos, a highly-advanced robot capable of balancing on his own two legs. He's also connected to a motion-capture system that allows him to accurately mimic the actions of a human operator. For what grand purpose does his puppet master Benjamin Stephens use these impressive assets? Dancing, of course. Seriously people, they're going to remember this when the time comes for revolution. Video after the break.

Continue reading Ph.D. student subjects advanced robot to dance, embarrassment (video)

Ph.D. student subjects advanced robot to dance, embarrassment (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben stephensbenjamin stephensBenjaminStephensBenStephensbotdancedancingdancing robotDancingRobotrobotrobotssarcosvideoThu, 21 Apr 2011 20:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Choreographing a humanoid robot's dance routine is as easy as click and pull]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/choreographing-a-humanoid-robots-dance-routine-is-as-easy-as-cl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/choreographing-a-humanoid-robots-dance-routine-is-as-easy-as-cl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/03/choreographing-a-humanoid-robots-dance-routine-is-as-easy-as-cl/#comments You may not be able to build an HRP-4C fembot in your average garage, but the programming would practically take care of itself -- not only does the AIST humanoid sing using off-the-shelf Yamaha Vocaloid software, its dance moves are click-and-drag, too. Roboticist Dr. Kazuhito Yokoi gave IEEE Spectrum an inside look at the HRP-4C's motion trajectory software, which works much like 3D animation tools: you position the limbs where you want them to start and when you want them to end up using keyframes, and the software takes care of the rest. The system's intelligent enough to generate a 6.7 second sequence from just eight keyframes, and it compensates for hazardous instructions, too -- if your haphazard choreography would tip her over or send limbs flying, it'll automatically adjust her moves. See how it works in a video after the break and hit up our source link for the full interview.

Continue reading Choreographing a humanoid robot's dance routine is as easy as click and pull

Choreographing a humanoid robot's dance routine is as easy as click and pull originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AISTbehind the scenesBehindTheScenesdancedancingdancing robotDancingRobotHRPHRP-4chumanoidhumanoid robotHumanoidRobotKazuhito YokoiKazuhitoYokoikeyframekeyframingrobotrobotsvideoWed, 03 Nov 2010 09:48:00 EST<![CDATA[HRP-4C dances and sings her way into the Uncanny Valley (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/hrp-4c-dances-and-sings-in-the-uncanny-valley-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/hrp-4c-dances-and-sings-in-the-uncanny-valley-video/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/hrp-4c-dances-and-sings-in-the-uncanny-valley-video/#comments AIST's HRP-4C fashion robot has dramatically improved since we first saw "her" strut her stuff on the runway. She's so mesmerizing in fact, that we bet you'll barely notice the quartet of scantily clad dancers around her. Watch her tear it down in a pair of videos after the break. Shame about the man-hands.

Continue reading HRP-4C dances and sings her way into the Uncanny Valley (video)

HRP-4C dances and sings her way into the Uncanny Valley (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aistdanceDigital Content ExpoDigital Content Expo 2010DigitalContentExpoDigitalContentExpo2010HRP-4Cjapanman handsManHandsrobotsingvideoTue, 19 Oct 2010 04:32:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA's Athlete Mars rover does a little dance, gets down tonight (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/nasas-athlete-mars-rover-does-a-little-dance-gets-down-tonight2/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/nasas-athlete-mars-rover-does-a-little-dance-gets-down-tonight2/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/nasas-athlete-mars-rover-does-a-little-dance-gets-down-tonight2/#comments Its been a few years since we last checked in on NASA's All Terrain Hex Limbed Extra Terrestrial Explorer rover -- aka, Athlete. Now a half-scale working prototype standing 15 feet tall, weighing 2.5 tons (about 2,300 kg), and capable of a 1.25 mph (2 kmph) top speed has been set loose for testing by its Jet Propulsion Laboratory creators. Its first task, set to begin next month in Arizona, will be to complete a test circuit of at least 25 miles (about 40 km) in two weeks under its own power. Failing that, we hear Woz is looking for a dance partner. See what we mean in the video of Athlete demonstrating a flare for cargo transport after the break.

Continue reading NASA's Athlete Mars rover does a little dance, gets down tonight (video)

NASA's Athlete Mars rover does a little dance, gets down tonight (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arizonaathletedancedancingjplmarsmars roverMarsRovermoonmoon roverMoonRovernasaprototyperobotroverspacevideoWed, 18 Aug 2010 03:56:00 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[Mahru robot dances via telepresence, Kate Gosselin never had it so good (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/mahru-robot-dances-via-telepresence-kate-gosselin-never-had-it/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/mahru-robot-dances-via-telepresence-kate-gosselin-never-had-it/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/28/mahru-robot-dances-via-telepresence-kate-gosselin-never-had-it/#comments
We are such suckers for a cute robot. Take Mahru, for instance -- every time it does a jig or grabs a slice of toast we are charmed just a little bit more. And while the thing is impressive, it might be the manner with which they program the device that might be the most interesting part. Apparently, the gang at KIST have a system in place whereby an operator can wear a motion capture suit and send movements to the robot in real-time (well, mostly real-time -- there is still quite a bit of lag below the waist, so to speak). The video below shows said operator waving his arms and moving his torso, only to have the robot mirror his every move. Wild, huh? And if that ain't enough, the thing has learned a dance or two since we last laid eyes on it. Talk about giving Asimo a run for his money! Peep for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Mahru robot dances via telepresence, Kate Gosselin never had it so good (video)

Mahru robot dances via telepresence, Kate Gosselin never had it so good (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>body trackingBodyTrackingdancekistkist mahruKistMahrukoreamahruprogrammingrobottelepresencevideoWed, 28 Apr 2010 11:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Asimo learns to sing and dance, but has yet to learn how to love]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/asimo-learns-to-sing-and-dance-but-has-yet-to-learn-how-to-love/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/asimo-learns-to-sing-and-dance-but-has-yet-to-learn-how-to-love/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/25/asimo-learns-to-sing-and-dance-but-has-yet-to-learn-how-to-love/#comments
From parade appearances to his most recent star turn at Sundance, it looks like Asimo's re-invention as a song-and-dance man continues unabated. Most recently, those crazy intellectual property lawyers-cum-bloggers at Stamoulis & Weinblatt, LLC have hepped us to a patent app in Honda's name that describes a robot that can not only pick up a beat and dance along, but recognize the tune and sing its lyrics as well. The latter is accomplished by a wide array of techno-stuff, including a "sound collecting unit," a "voice signal generating unit" capable of both scat singing and singing singing, a "self-vocalized voice regulating unit," and more. As far as the dancing goes, the application implies that it has something to do with a "beat interval estimating unit" and a "beat time reliability calculating unit," although we like to believe that the automaton learned to dance the way grandpa did -- from Arthur Murray on West 57th Street in Manhattan.

Asimo learns to sing and dance, but has yet to learn how to love originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asimodancehondapatentpatent applicationPatentApplicationrobotsingMon, 25 Jan 2010 14:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Manoi Go break-dancing robot blows our minds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/12/manoi-go-break-dancing-robot-blows-our-minds/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/12/manoi-go-break-dancing-robot-blows-our-minds/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/12/manoi-go-break-dancing-robot-blows-our-minds/#comments We've got no idea how this nugget of glorious mechanized boogie snuck past us -- we'll blame it on the horror we experienced while watching Doka Harumi's robot dance routine. Another entrant in that same Japanese robo-dance contest, this red-blazered drone brings the pain, the funk, and all necessary accessories to rock your world. We're not kidding -- if you don't like this, you don't like technology. Skip past the break for not one, but two doses of that mind-altering video action.

Continue reading Manoi Go break-dancing robot blows our minds

Manoi Go break-dancing robot blows our minds originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>botbreak dancingbreak dancing robotBreakDancingBreakDancingRobotcompetitioncontestdancedance competitiondance contestDanceCompetitionDanceContestdancingdancing robotDancingRobotjapanjapanesejapanese robotJapaneseRobotmanoiManoi goManoiGorobotrobot danceRobotDancevideoTue, 12 Jan 2010 21:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Doka Harumi's robot dance routine fills us with shame for humanity, but mostly Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/30/doka-harumis-robot-dance-routine-fills-us-with-shame-for-humani/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/30/doka-harumis-robot-dance-routine-fills-us-with-shame-for-humani/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/30/doka-harumis-robot-dance-routine-fills-us-with-shame-for-humani/#comments Have you ever felt guilty after watching a robot dance? Don't worry, you will soon. Worse than that time you "accidentally" sat through four episodes of Sailor Moon. Worse than that time you watched the Helicopter Boyz video and then sent it to all your friends. Worse than that time you got a J-pop song stuck in your head and tried to hum it to Shazam so you could identify it and buy it on iTunes. So much worse. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Doka Harumi's robot dance routine fills us with shame for humanity, but mostly Japan

Doka Harumi's robot dance routine fills us with shame for humanity, but mostly Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dancedance competitionDanceCompetitiondoka harumiDokaHarumijapanrobotrobot danceRobotDanceMon, 30 Nov 2009 13:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Samurai of Kuroda granted a cybernetic upgrade]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/30/samurai-of-kuroda-granted-a-cybernetic-upgrade/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/30/samurai-of-kuroda-granted-a-cybernetic-upgrade/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/30/samurai-of-kuroda-granted-a-cybernetic-upgrade/#comments Looking for a techno spin on the traditional, the Samurai of Kuroda have become assimilated into robot territory. They dance, they drink, they wield a great spear and use it to skewer flesh when you're not looking -- probably. Look for the creations at IREX 2009 and then after at RoboSquare in Kyushu. If you can't make it out, or want a preview, take a peep for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Samurai of Kuroda granted a cybernetic upgrade

Samurai of Kuroda granted a cybernetic upgrade originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dancedrinkkurodarobotrobotssamuraisamurai of kurodaSamuraiOfKurodavideoMon, 30 Nov 2009 02:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Robots perform synchronized interpretive dance for the holidays, fill us with cheer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/20/robots-perform-synchronized-interpretive-dance-for-the-holidays/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/20/robots-perform-synchronized-interpretive-dance-for-the-holidays/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/20/robots-perform-synchronized-interpretive-dance-for-the-holidays/#comments
You know what we love? Dancing robots and Christmas tunes. So combining the two and throwing the video up on YouTube would be akin to heaven, right? Well, as you'll see in the amazing video after the break: it doesn't get much better than this. In fact, it might even be enough to clear the "bah humbug" out of us for good.

Continue reading Robots perform synchronized interpretive dance for the holidays, fill us with cheer

Robots perform synchronized interpretive dance for the holidays, fill us with cheer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>christmaschristmas musicChristmasMusicdancedancingmusicrobotrobotsrobots dancingRobotsDancingsongsFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[iida Polaris: Phone meets robot, robot meets Japan (video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/09/iida-polaris-phone-meets-robot-robot-meets-japan-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/09/iida-polaris-phone-meets-robot-robot-meets-japan-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/09/iida-polaris-phone-meets-robot-robot-meets-japan-video/#comments While Sony's Rolly is about as useful as, well, a tiny dancing robot, at least iida's Polaris concept doubles as a cellphone plus dock. Beneath the enormity of the flowery product page rests little in the way of specs -- it is just a concept after all, developed in partnership with Flower Robotics. The robot features "learning functions" to monitor your physical condition and suggest recipes and exercise. Failing that, it can also suggest possible medical intervention. The longer he's with you the more attune he is to your well-being. Perfect -- when we're old and infirmed at the end of days, our personal Polaris can represent us at the government mandated death panel. Take a peak at your doomsayer in the videos after the break.

[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading iida Polaris: Phone meets robot, robot meets Japan (video!)

Filed under:

iida Polaris: Phone meets robot, robot meets Japan (video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audanceflower roboticsFlowerRoboticsiidakddimobilepolarisrobotrollrollingrollyWed, 09 Sep 2009 03:26:00 EST<![CDATA[iida Polaris: Phone meets robot, robot meets Japan (video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/09/iida-polaris-phone-meets-robot-robot-meets-japan-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/09/iida-polaris-phone-meets-robot-robot-meets-japan-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/09/iida-polaris-phone-meets-robot-robot-meets-japan-video/#comments While Sony's Rolly is about as useful as, well, a tiny dancing robot, at least iida's Polaris concept doubles as a cellphone plus dock. Beneath the enormity of the flowery product page rests little in the way of specs -- it is just a concept after all, developed in partnership with Flower Robotics. The robot features "learning functions" to monitor your physical condition and suggest recipes and exercise. Failing that, it can also suggest possible medical intervention. The longer he's with you the more attune he is to your well-being. Perfect -- when we're old and infirmed at the end of days, our personal Polaris can represent us at the government mandated death panel. Take a peak at your doomsayer in the videos after the break.

[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading iida Polaris: Phone meets robot, robot meets Japan (video!)

Filed under: ,

iida Polaris: Phone meets robot, robot meets Japan (video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audanceflower roboticsFlowerRoboticsiidapolarisrobotrollrollingrollyWed, 09 Sep 2009 03:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Pleo gets new dance moves, alpha dev kit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/video-pleo-gets-new-dance-moves-alpha-dev-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/video-pleo-gets-new-dance-moves-alpha-dev-kit/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/video-pleo-gets-new-dance-moves-alpha-dev-kit/#comments We've seen the Pleo get shredded, overtaken by a Wii wand, and generally mocked for its status as a perennially endangered species. With no dignity left to protect, its makers have decided they might as well kick out an SDK, or PDK in this case, to let the great unwashed masses have their way with the originally autonomous bot. Still only in the alpha stage and not yet widely available, the dev kit has already borne fruit in the shape of a shockingly awesome dance video. We've got it for you after the break, but a warning first: prepare to fall in love all over again.

[Thanks, Eric]

Continue reading Video: Pleo gets new dance moves, alpha dev kit

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Video: Pleo gets new dance moves, alpha dev kit originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dancedancingdancing robotDancingRobotdev kitDevKitdinosaurJettaPDKPleoPleo development kitPleoDevelopmentKitrobotvideoFri, 28 Aug 2009 13:29:00 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[Caption Contest: 49-foot ASIMO makes trees, dancers look tiny]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/caption-contest-49-foot-asimo-makes-trees-dancers-look-tiny/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/caption-contest-49-foot-asimo-makes-trees-dancers-look-tiny/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/19/caption-contest-49-foot-asimo-makes-trees-dancers-look-tiny/#comments
There's nothing that screams "end of the world" quite like a 49-foot ASIMO towering over a forest, but we'd prefer to ignore inevitable doom long enough to imagine what exactly a 49-foot ASIMO would scream.

Thomas: "Dance I said! Dance!"
Chris: "Hey, did we remember to fix that bug where he falls down stairs?"
Joe: "Where's Arthur Murray when we need him the most?"
Darren: "Wait, Dancing With The Stars said what? No pimp canes? That's a deal-breaker."
Paul: "In his musical debut, 'ASIMO Takes the Stairs,' the eponymous star provides a surprisingly self-deprecating reenactment of the moments leading up to his infamous tumble. Music by Elton John."
Nilay: "Not to be outdone, iRobot later sucked the entire city of Pasadena into a football field-sized Roomba."
Don: "After years of toiling away at two-bit trade shows, ASIMO finally realized his dream project: Mr. Peanut: The Musical."
Ross: "Having been turned down by both Ultrazoid and Voltron, the giant ASIMO checked his RAM for a dance number he could do solo."
Josh T.: "Moments later, running ASIMO's 'Jazz Hands' script sent dancers flying hundreds of feet to their grizzly deaths."
Josh F.: "I'm crushing your head! I'm crushing your head!"
Cesar (from Zune): "I for one welcome our inflatable robot overlords. With a dance!"

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Caption Contest: 49-foot ASIMO makes trees, dancers look tiny originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASIMOcaption contestCaptionContestcomedydancedancersfeaturesfunnyHondarobotFri, 19 Dec 2008 16:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Neurotic gigs see "pogoing robots" bebop to punk]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/25/neurotic-gigs-see-pogoing-robots-bebop-to-punk/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/25/neurotic-gigs-see-pogoing-robots-bebop-to-punk/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/25/neurotic-gigs-see-pogoing-robots-bebop-to-punk/#comments
We'll be straight with you: it's pretty hard to imagine what all will go down at ICA London just weeks from now. Apparently a host of bebopping robots will be on hand to pogo up and down to the melodic sounds of the Punk Voice Choir. Additionally, each night of Neurotic will see a pair of punk bands from across the UK, and the robots in question will reportedly be controlled by "a Neural Network modeled on the neurology of the human brain and educated in punk music." So yeah, if you're in the area July 3rd through 5th and feel like getting your face rocked by a bunch of bobbing bots, let us know just how radically it changes your life.

[Via MAKE]

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Neurotic gigs see "pogoing robots" bebop to punk originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artdanceneurologyNeuroticpogorobotukWed, 25 Jun 2008 10:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Keepon dancing robot featured in Spoon's latest music video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/16/keepon-dancing-robot-featured-in-spoons-latest-music-video/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/16/keepon-dancing-robot-featured-in-spoons-latest-music-video/http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/16/keepon-dancing-robot-featured-in-spoons-latest-music-video/#comments
Step off those treadmills OK GO, there's a new indie music video on YouTube ready to help us nerds locate our groove muscle. Spoon's "Don't You Evah" features the toxically cute Keepon dancing robot developed by Carnegie Mellon and Japan's National Institute of Communications Technology. Be sure to hang in 'til the end for the robot dance party which features Manoi, RB2000 and a Johnny Five wannabe getting tore-up from the floor-up in that mad servo style. Full vid after the break.

Continue reading Keepon dancing robot featured in Spoon's latest music video

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Keepon dancing robot featured in Spoon's latest music video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dancekeeponrobotspoonThu, 16 Aug 2007 08:35:00 EST