Cozmo and Vector refined what it means to have a companion robot, blending the lines between entertainment, education, and personal connection. In 2018 they introduced one of the most compact pair of companion robots: Cozmo and Vector. Companion robots are supposed to be helpful, capable of learning and responding to the environment, have the ability to engage in gameplay and express their “personality.” Both Cozmo and Vector are built on a similar physical ‘dozer physical platform and were conceived from the start as companion robots. They both take advantage of the tendency for people to ant ..read more

UB Tech has developed a variety of humanoid robots reflecting its experience and focus on humanizing their robots, viewing them as companions or helpers. To that end they have created a very approachable humanoid bot they call the Alpha Mini. The ultimate purpose for the Alpha Mini is to be a companion – an active part of your daily activities. If you think about what that requires, then the complexity and design decisions make a lot of sense. Some of the best features are more subtle, giving it a softer, more approachable humanistic personality. Key among those features is a pair of LCD eyes ..read more

An intergalactic scouting team helmed by Robosen of Transformers fame travelled beyond infinity and battled the forces of Zurg to rescue Buzz – Buzz Lightyear that is. Or so it would seem. There really is nothing quite like seeing Buzz “in the flesh” as it were. Sure, he contains 23 servos, but unlike bare-bones battle bots, or autonomous robots, Buzz is a sleek, smooth authentic character that seems to have leapt from the silver screen into your own personal galactic world. Something Extra Buzz isn’t so much a robot as he is an entertainment package. He comes with over 200 catch phrases and ..read more

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into various industries has sparked discussions about the future of work. While AI holds the potential to revolutionize productivity and efficiency, it is essential to explore which jobs may be impacted first. Let’s delve into this complex landscape with a focus on the potential shifts in employment patterns. 1. Routine and Repetitive Tasks: As AI excels in automating routine and repetitive tasks, jobs that involve monotonous activities may be the first to experience significant changes. Roles in data entry, basic bookkeeping, and assembly line w ..read more

The Super Anthony Robot Fighter made its debut on the scene through a successful Kickstarter campaign launched in 2018. The campaign surpassed its funding goal, securing $86,981 against a target of $60,000, indicating a strong interest in the product. Unlike typical Kickstarter campaigns aimed at funding product development, it seems Super Anthony was essentially being sold as a finished product during the campaign, priced between $1299 and $1399 USD. The fundraising initiative spanned 60 days, running from May 15th to July 15th. Operated by the company LimitlessIQ, the name itself reflects a ..read more

Unveiling the Transformative Marvel: Robosen’s Hasbro-Licensed G1 Optimus Prime Embark on a transformative journey with the latest offering from Robosen, officially licensed by Hasbro – the iconic G1 version of Optimus Prime. Stepping right out of the Transformer universe that has captivated audiences since 2007, this remarkable creation brings the beloved Autobot leader to life in a way never seen before. A Revolutionary Collectible This Optimus Prime is not just an ordinary collectible; it’s the first auto-converting, interactive, programmable, and voice-activated version sanctioned by Hasbr ..read more

Arguably the most well-known of the Boston Dynamics mobile robots is dubbed “SPOT”, a nod to its dog-like quadrupedal robot. When initially released by Boston Dynamics in 2016, it was only available through a lease. Only recently, after being purchased by Hyundai in 2020, did these Robo-Dogs become commercially available for roughly $74,500K. They sold 400 SPOTs in the first six months since that acquisition. At the close of 2022 it was reported that 1000 units had been put into service. The two main questions that come to mind are: what is SPOT, and why would I use it? The popular view is to ..read more

Both Arduino and Raspberry Pi have become fundamental building blocks to handle digital information for everyone from the home hobbyist to professional designers of electronic interfaces. Despite any perceived similarities, they are really two very different products developed for very different functions. This is a short overview that highlights the differences and provides guidance as to when you might use one or the other of these interface types.   THE FUNDAMENTALS Arduino boards act as microcontrollers (not microprocessors) which work by responding to a sensor; light, sound, touch ..read more

As if Elon Musk didn’t have enough to keep him busy, he has now entered the Humanoid Robot game with a model which has been dubbed Optimus (sound familiar?). Not one to attach himself to low impact projects, Musk, muses out loud on stage as to whether there would be a 1:1 ratio of robots to humans in the future? This would create, in his words “a fundamental transformation for civilization”. Imagine that Optimi (plural of Optimus) handled all of the dirty, dangerous and undesirable tasks that humans presently do. Us poor humans would be stuck with the dauting prospect of having to amuse oursel ..read more

For those of you that are not familiar with Robotis, it has been building a following for decades centered around increasingly refined servomotor designs.  Trade named Dynamixel servos are the engines that control robotic motion.  The Dynamixel servo is a highly integrated unit that simplifies building precise robotic movement into a wide variety of applications.  Within a single Dynamixel actuator package is a DC motor, reduction gearhead, controller, driver and network connection. As a designer, this all-in-one building block frees you to focus on designing functionality knowi ..read more