HRP-2m Choromet HRP-2m Choromet

The Choromet is expected to be available from General Robotics in September, with price which is less then five grands. The Choromet is about 13-3/4 inches tall, and is capable of walking upright on two legs. Four companies in Japan have created a relatively low-cost, user-programmable humanoid robot targeting educational and research applications. The HRP-2m Choromet uses technology from Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and is user-programmable thanks to open software running on a user-space real-time Linux implementation. AIST hopes Choromet's ability to run software-based movement programs on a real-time Linux platform will enable researchers and schools to experiment with the effectiveness of humanoid robot motion pattern applications. The Choromet is based on several technologies developed by AIST, including A business-card sized SBC (single board computer) 240MHz SH-4 processor, 32MB of RAM, "ARTLinux," an operating system that provides a user-space real-time Linux environment. Humanoid motion application software based on OpenHRP (Humanoid Robotics Project) Some other Choromet features are: Triaxial force sensors on legs, Accelerometer and gyroscope in trunk, and real-time sensor feedback. More info at

Sony Dream Robot (SDR-4X)

Sony Dream Robot SDR-4X is a humanoid robot that can walk, move, and even dance. It is only 23 inches tall and weighs 14 pounds.

Powered by a two of RISC processors, the SDR-4X is capable of 38 separate degrees of movement (older version SDR-3X had only 26). SDR-4X has a real-time adaptive motion control system and better communication technology including facial recognition and complex speech recognition.

Newer version SRD-4X-II has three RISC processors and has advanced motion control, illusion of higher intelligence (vocabulary of approximately 20,000 words), better safety and identification features. SDR-4X-II came in April 02, 2003, lets see when we will see the newer version.

ASIMO Humanoid Robot

ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative MObility) is a bipadel humanoid robot from Honda . This robot has been evolving since its inception in 1986. Current version of ASIMO is 1.2 meter tall and weighs 43 Kg. This size enables ASIMO to actually perform tasks within the realm of a human living environment. It also walks in a smooth fashion which closely resembles that of a human being.
Advanced Walking Technology Predicted Movement Control (for predicting the next move and shifting the center of gravity accordingly) is combined with existing walking control know-how to create i-WALK (intelligent real-time flexible walking) technology, permitting smooth changes of direction. The latest updates on the ASIMO robot are available at Honda .
Following image gives the different version of this robot.

BigDog the Mule

Boston Dynamics has created BigDog the robotic pack mule which according to them is "the most advanced quadruped robot on Earth!" BigDog can carry four infantry backpacks while keeping its balance over different type of terrains. The following freaky video (28MB WMV) shows BigDog walking through mud, over slippery snow, over rocks, up a hill, and even keeps itself from toppling over when it's being kicked! BigDog stands about waist high, can carry 165 lbs (75 kg), can walk through most terrain and can always keep its balance. The on-board computer controls locomotion, monitors external & internal sensors and keeps itself balanced. A gasoline engine powers BigDog's hydraulic system for actuating the hydraulically controlled legs.

Check out the following four more Some videos of the latest Robots with amazing capabilities

Japan's latest supermodel--a robot

The new Japanese humanoid robot HRP-4C displays a range of emotions (good luck discerning what they are) during a press conference in suburban Tokyo this week. Naturally, plenty of paparazzi were on hand.
(Credit: AFP Photo/Yoshikazu Tsuno)
She doesn't have the grace of a Cindy Crawford or Elle MacPherson (yet), but a few struts on the catwalk may help HRP-4C loosen up and hit her stride. The walking, talking girlbot will be getting practice soon, as she's set to make her catwalk debut at a Tokyo fashion show next week.
Scientists from Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology reportedly designed the 5-foot (ish), dark-haired creation to look like an average Japanese woman between the ages of 19 and 29. Unlike the average Japanese woman, however, HRP-4C has 30 motors in her body that allow her to walk and move its arms (somewhat loudly and awkwardly, if the video below is any indication) and 8 facial motors for blinking, smiling, and expressing emotions akin to anger and surprise.
According to the Associated Press, the robotic framework for the HRP-4C, sans face and other coverings, will sell for about $200,000, and the technology behind it will eventually be made public so people can come up their own moves for the bot.
The government-backed AIST says she's mostly being developed for the entertainment industry--for use in amusement parks, for example, or as an exercise teacher--and is not yet ready to help with daily chores. So unfortunately for those eager to hire HRP-4C as a home or office assistant, for now at least, her main job is to look pretty--or odd, depending on your perspective.

Panasonic serves up latest prototype robots, dish washing servant included (video)

Keeping those dreams alive by scrubbing dishes at your least favorite eatery? Best put those aspirations on the front burner, as Panasonic's got a mighty fine robot swooping in to take your place -- and for a whole lot less cash, to boot. At Panny's robotics laboratory in Osaka, the company recently showcased its latest gaggle of prototype robots designed to help humans take it easy more often. Among the usual suspects were a porter robot designed to help with heavy lifting, while the star of the show was undoubtedly the dish washing bot that wasn't afraid to get its metallic digits wet and soapy. As expected, an array of integrated sensors kept it from grabbing a wine glass too tightly, and its four fingers enabled it to do most everything a human washer could (sans the kvetching). Have a peek at these guys in action just past the break.

Karcher RC 3000 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

While both low and high end robotic vacuum cleaners have much in common when it comes to overall design philosophy, Karcher dares to be different with their RC 3000 RoboCleaner. What makes it different? The robot's base station automatically empties the dirt from the robot so you don't have to. Many folks have expressed a great desire for this feature, and the Karcher is currently the only robotic vacuum to offer it. Since you don't have to empty the robot's dirt bin every two hours, the vacuum can clean literally all day long without human intervention. To top it off, you won't have to invert and bang a dust bin over your trash can, sending dirt back into the air and your lungs. This and the RC 3000's ability to reliably return to its base station for cleaning and charging then set out again cleaning make it a very autonomous and worry-free robotic vacuum.

R1 Mobile Robotic Platform from Robotics Connection

If you are a starter in building robotics and playing with robotics kit, LEGO MINDSTORMS is a good kit for you to get your feet wet. If you are a serious robotics researcher, hobbyist or educator looking for a teaching platform, you will need something that's both easy to use and powerful enough to build projects or applications upon. The R1 Mobile Robotic Platform from Robotics Connection is designed for this purpose. It comes with powerful motors, durable and easy to work with material, very flexible programming options and a system that can be easily expanded to fit your needs as a robotics platform.

RoboNexus First Look

Before the RoboNexus show even starts, we got a sneak peak at the products that will perform in the competitions or on display. We will bring you more in-depth reviews and reports on some the products here, but in this first look, we give you a peak at some of these robots

Home › News IROBOT CEO TO OUTLINE THE FUTURE OF ROBOTICS IN HEALTHCARE AT TEDMED

iRobot Hires President to Lead Newly-Formed Healthcare Business Unit


BEDFORD, Mass., October 29, 2009 – iRobot Corp. (Nasdaq: IRBT) today announced that Colin Angle, iRobot’s chairman and chief executive officer, will discuss the role of robots in the future of healthcare during a presentation at the TEDMED conference in San Diego, Calif.

At the event, Angle will also introduce Tod Loofbourrow, president of iRobot’s newly-created healthcare business unit. The new business unit is committed to exploring the potential of robotics as an assistive technology to promote wellness and enhance quality of life for seniors. In this role, Loofbourrow will be responsible for all aspects of the group’s strategy, research and operations. He will report directly to Angle.

“Hiring Tod to lead our new healthcare business unit underscores the significance of this market opportunity, as well as the commitment the company is making in this space,” said Angle. “Our healthcare mission is to add a million years of independent living to our customers. As the leader in practical robots, we believe that we will have something unique and significant to offer in the field of healthcare.”

iRobot believes that next-generation practical robots have the potential to help caregivers perform critical work and extend the time that people can live independently. Robots may be capable of assisting in senior care in a variety of real-life situations, including household chores and the on-time administration of medication. This could ultimately lower the cost for care.

Loofbourrow joins iRobot with more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in the high-technology sector. Most recently, he served as chairman, chief executive officer and founder of Authoria, Inc., a leader in the benefits and talent management market.

“I joined iRobot because I believe that the business has the potential to make a significant difference in the field of healthcare,” said Loofbourrow. “People want to stay in their homes and live independently for as long as they can. This is a company with millions of robots currently assisting people in their homes. With $2.2 trillion spent every year on healthcare in the United States, I believe that the long-term potential of robotics to extend independent living is profound.”

Prior to Authoria, Loofbourrow was chief executive officer and founder of Foundation Technologies, Inc., which developed the first-ever “Managed Second Surgical Opinion” system for managed care. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a graduate certificate from Oxford University. He has taught business courses at Harvard University and lectured at Stanford, MIT Sloan School of Management, Harvard Business School, Yale and Babson College.