Innovation First's new Vex RCR Mini Robotics Kits

Lance previously got to the HexBugs that were a featured toy for this company at Toy Fair this year. And we've written in the past about the VEX Robotics Design System, a robot-building platform for serious enthusiast that sells for around $300.



Lying in the middle ground between cute, low-cost toys and pricey, serious systems are the upcoming VEX RCR Mini kits. As with the higher-end VEX kits, you'll be able to trail plans to build specific little bots or make your own. The kit will be less than $100, though; it'll come with 300 parts, though extra accessories will be available; and most/all of the parts will work with the original VEX kit, in case you make a decision to upgrade. Look for the Mini kits in August.

VEX RCR Mini, WiFi control system


Innovation First sure looks to be keeping up a steady pace with its VEX robotics system, with the company now following up its recently released ROBOTC programming kit with its new VEX RCR Mini kit and a new WiFi control system. The former, as you've no doubt surmised, is a smaller and less expensive version of Innovation's standard VEX system, which it thinks will be particularly appealing to students from elementary school on up. The VEX WiFi Control System, on the other hand, will apparently work with all VEX robots, and somewhat ominously, allows for "simultaneous operation of hundreds of robots wirelessly." No word on a price or exact release date for the WiFi system just yet, but you can look for the VEX RCR Mini to be available this August for "less than $100."





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Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee Figure







Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
The Hasbro Transformers Ultimate Bumblebee Figure is the premium movie-based Transformers toy on the market. Standing more than 14 inches tall, this action figure is more than deserving of the title "Ultimate." With his sleek design, his battle and conversation sounds, and his advanced animatronics system, Ultimate Bumblebee is one of the most fully featured action figures you'll ever find.


Two Awesome Modes
Recommended for ages five and up, Ultimate Bumblebee is perfect for toy collectors and kids alike. Initially, Ultimate Bumblebee appears as a sleek 2008 Camaro. With its vivid yellow finish and racing stripes, Ultimate Bumblebee's car form is as detailed and well built as any model car and would be a perfect addition to a cabinet or dresser top. The car is able to roll freely on carpet and hard surfaces alike.



However, like all Transformers, there is more to Ultimate Bumblebee's Camaro form than meets the eye. When it is time for him to come out of disguise and confront his enemies, he can transform into a massive, powerful robot. Equipped with a plasma cannon, he is more than prepared to defend your local Autobot from Decepticon attacks.


With a few minor adjustments, kids can transform Ultimate Bumblebee seamlessly between his robot and his vehicle mode. His robot mode stands an impressive 14 inches, and is fully articulated, meaning that kids can adjust him into any pose. He is also incredibly detailed -- likely one of the most attractive action figures your aspiring heros will ever get their hands on.


Advanced Animatronics and Sounds
Ultimate Bumblebee features an advanced animatronic design, which means he can move and animate himself when in robot mode. With the touch of a button, he'll burst into motion. His head moves expressively from side to side, and his arms and wings both move up and down. He can even aim his plasma cannon and fire off his missile.


Perhaps most impressively, he has full sound detection capabilities. He will respond to noises by turning and making sounds of his own. In addition to his animatronics and motion, Ultimate Bumblebee can also make a variety of exciting sounds. This ever-vigilant Autobot has 17 different heroic conversation phrases, such as "Let's roll out!" and "Take that, Decepticon!" He also makes battle sounds -- kids will hear the firing of his plasma cannon and the whirring, crushing sound of his movements. He'll even boogie as he plays Devo's popular song, "Whip It."



About Transformers
The Transformers began as a Hasbro toy line back in 1983, featuring toy vehicles that could transform into robots. The toys soon inspired an entire universe of fictional story lines, pitting the two factions of Transformers -- the heroic Autobots and the evil Decepticons -- against one another. A live-action movie based on the Transformers was released in 2007 and has continued the toy line's extreme popularity. With toys such as the Ultimate Bumblebee Figure, kids can bring home the struggle between the Autobots and Decepticons.




Product Features




  • Ultimate Bumblebee figure is premium Transformers toy on the market

  • Transforms from sleek 2008 Camaro into intimidating robot form

  • By using advanced animatronic system, can burst into motion at push of button

  • Has 17 different conversation phrases; makes battle and transformation sounds

  • Recommended for ages 5 and up














Product Details


  • Product Dimensions: 4.5 pounds

  • Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

  • Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.

  • ASIN: B000OKXRQ0

  • Item model number: 82419

  • Our Recommended Age: 5 years and up

  • Manufacturer Recommended Age: 5 years and up

  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #558 in Toys & Games (See Bestsellers in Toys & Games)

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    #24 inToys & Games > Action Figures







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Pleo Dinosaur - A Ugobe Life Form

Amazon.com Product Description
With the Senario 22208 Pleo A Ugobe Life Form, you can expand your family with a pet from prehistoric times. The Pleo is a one-week-old dinosaur that will quickly grow to become one of the most fun and exciting members of your family. This amazing robotic marvel not only moves organically, explores its environment on its own, and interacts with you, but it also expresses emotions based on its life experiences.



Developing A Unique Personality
The Senario Pleo begins life as a newly-hatched baby Camarasaurus, and from the moment he starts moving his individuality begins. Pleo doesn't simply do what he is told; he also develops his own unique personality, moods, and habits that are shaped by the time and experiences he shares with you. The Pleo can go from happy and curious to scared and surprised, and from playful and lively to sad and vexed, depending on a wealth of influences. From hatchling through infant, and all the way through his juvenile stages, Pleo will grow up and change in personality and understanding.


The Pleo displays an endless combination of gestures and vocalizations based on influences that are interpreted by Ugobe's Life OS platform of tools, technologies and AI (artificial intelligence). Users can find training tips and download enhancements to Pleo from www.pleoworld.com, but his programming merely sets his wheels in motion, leaving the true magic of his development up to you.


As Sensitive as a Baby
Pleo's sophisticated sensory system consists of nearly 40 devices that enable him to see, sense, touch and detect objects in order to move autonomously and explore his environment without requiring any remote control. This robotic dinosaur includes a color camera with a white-light sensor that allows him to detect bright light from dark, see colors, detect motion, track a moving object, and perceive objects in front of him. This unit also includes binaural microphones on the left and right that give him stereophonic hearing, allowing him to detect sound direction and loudness through both ears. An infrared receiver and transmitter allows Pleo to identify, communicate and interact with one another, while another infrared interruptor allows Pleo to detect when something is being placed in his mouth. Meanwhile eight touch sensors on his chin, shoulder, legs, back and head are triggered by touch and allow him to "feel." What's more, this dinosaur has a skin that is constructed of a custom-formulated, soft thermoplastic material that's painted with an incredibly realistic and lifelike coloration.


The Pleo Life Form also has over 100 custom-designed gears, and 14 motors for highly-articulated movement. Each motor has a force feedback sensor that makes them sensitive to forceful grabs at the dinosaur's legs, neck, tail and torso, causing him to shut down during trauma to avoid internal damage. Pleo will actually react to being hurt, perhaps exhibiting a limp, and can recover over time depending on the level of nurturing you exhibit. Ground sensors allow Pleo to know when a foot is on a solid surface or when he has been picked up, while tilt and shake sensors allow him to know if he has fallen or is being held upside down. The sensors will also wake him up after he has fallen "asleep." Both front and rear speakers even enable Pleo to communicate via cute honks and hoots, as well as other fun and natural sounds.












Pleo's mechanical, electronic, sensory, and AI systems help bring the robotic device to life. View larger.

Senario's Ugobe Pleo is powered by an internal, rechargeable NiMH battery that takes about four hours to charge and provides approximately an hour of active life. This power supply features a battery level indicator that causes Pleo to feel very tired and slow down, so you know precisely when he needs to be recharged. Pleo has two 32-bit microprocessors for central and image processing, and four 8-bit sub-processors for motor control. This robotic life form also has multiple built-in data ports, including a mini USB port for online downloads, an SD card slot for Pleo add-ons, and the infrared transceiver that allows Pleo-to-Pleo communications.


This Ugobe Pleo comes in a green color, weighs 3.5 pounds, and stands about 7.5 inches high and 21 inches long when on all fours. Pleo is rated E for Everyone and is designed for older children, teens and adults. (As Pleo is a highly sophisticated product which evolves into an inquisitive animal that requires attention and care, it is not considered suitable or intended for children under eight years of age.) The Senario Pleo is backed by a manufacturer's limited 90-day warranty, but user's should note that it is intended for use only in dry, indoor locations.


What's in the Box
Pleo A Ugobe Life Form in green, a companion's guide, a training leaf, a Pleo identity card, an NiMH replaceable rechargeable battery, and an AC charger




Product Description
Each Pleo begins life as a newly hatched baby Camarasaurus, but that is where predictability ends and individuality begins. He develops his own personality, moods and habits, all shaped by the time he spends with you.The Pleo dinosaur has three stages of development: hatchling, infant and juvenile.Pleo dinosaur has different emotions: happy, curious, playful, lively, scared, surprised; even sad and vexed. Pleo dinosaur has different drives: senses, drives and communication.On www.pleoworld.com owners can connect, find training tips and download new enhancements to Pleo dinosaur. Pleo dinosaur's sophisticated sensory system has devices that enable him to see, to sense touch and to detect objects: a color camera, sound sensors, two infrared sensors, 14 motors, over 100 gears, 8 touch sensors and an orientation sensor. Comes with Companion's Guide, Training Leaf and Pleo Identity Card. Measures 7.5" x 6" x 20.7"; weighs 3.5 lbs. Runs on built in rechargeable NiMH battery; 7.2V battery pack and a 2-pin AC adapter included. A full four hour charge will yield approximately one hour of operation. For ages 8 and older. Manufacturer 90 day warranty.


BUY PLEO HERE





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Georgia Tech Scores RoboCup 2007 for Atlanta



Georgia Tech Scores RoboCup 2007 for Atlanta
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The Georgia Institute of Technology has been selected to host RoboCup 2007, the world's most renowned research competition among custom-built robots and their designers. RoboCup 2007 Atlanta, scheduled for July 1-10, 2007, marks the first time that the event, featuring simulated soccer and search-and-rescue competitions, will be hosted entirely on a college campus and only the second time in the United States. Past host cities for the international tournament include Paris (1998), Seattle (2001), Lisbon (2004), Osaka, Japan (2005) and Bremen, Germany (2006).


"As host of RoboCup 2007, Georgia Tech welcomes the international robotics community to Atlanta," said Georgia Tech College of Computing Associate Professor and RoboCup 2007 Atlanta General Chair Tucker Balch. "Over the past few years, Georgia Tech has emerged as a global leader in robotics research and innovation, based upon its partnerships with industry leaders and our strengths in interactive and intelligent computing. By hosting the 11th annual RoboCup competition, Georgia Tech will have a great opportunity to showcase the technology leadership of the Institute and the City of Atlanta to researchers and scientists worldwide."


RoboCup 2007 Atlanta will include approximately 218 senior robotic teams, and 140 junior teams from over 20 countries. These international teams will participate in soccer games and search-and-rescue missions, testing the limits in artificial intelligence and robotics research. The annual event, with sponsors including Lockheed Martin and CITIZEN, involves about 1500 students and faculty from leading universities around the world, as well as 500 middle school and high school students.


This year's RoboCup event will also feature the debut of the Nanogram League, a competition between microscopic robots. The MEMs (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) in competition can only be viewed via microscope, but attendees will be able to watch the contest via a magnified broadcast shown on large screens throughout the event.


The overall mission of the RoboCup research and education initiative is to foster artificial intelligence and robotics research by providing a standard problem where a wide range of technologies can be examined and integrated. The international project has a founding goal of developing a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots that can win against the human World Cup champion team by the year 2050.


RoboCup 2007 Atlanta invites the public to Georgia Tech to watch as teams put their robots to work competing in realistic search-and-rescue demonstrations, as well as four-legged and humanoid soccer games.





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About the Biped BRAT



About the Biped BRAT
BRAT stands for Bipedal Robotic Articulating Transport. The robot is a 6 servo biped walker featuring three degrees of freedom (DOF) per leg. The robot can walk forward or backwards and turn in place left or right with variable speed. It can even do lots of Robo-One style acrobatic moves. Our combo kits include everything needed to make an operational robot, however the chassis and servos are available separately for those who want to use their own electronics.


The Mechanics
The robot is made exclusively from brushed, or black anodized aluminum servo brackets from our Servo Erector Set. It also includes an electronics carrier made from ultra-tough laser-cut Lexan.


The Servos
We are providing the walker with Hitec HS-422 servos. Due to the robot's light weight, these servos work well.


Powering Options
As with any walking robot, weight is a major concern. The best approach is to keep the weight to an absolute minimum. We recommend using the 6.0 Volt Ni-MH 1600mAh Battery Pack (BAT-03) and the Universal Smart Charger (USC-01).


Controlling the Biped
The robot can be controlled in many ways. The combo kit for PC uses our SSC-32 and the Visual Sequencer to control the robots motion. It's a tethered configuration but can be made wireless with any commercial wireless serial device. We have example projects for the Visual Sequencer to get the robot going right away. We will offer a combo kit for Basic Atom as soon as we have programming available. We are working on wireless play station game controller code for remote control as well.


Important!
To keep costs down we are not providing printed Assembly Guides. They are provided online, so you will need to print them when you order the kits. By providing the Assembly Guides online we can provide more detailed and up to date information than the old hardcopy method allowed.


Assembly Guides / Tutorials
Videos
BRAT Image Gallery
BRAT Specs




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Artificial arm


That same video also helpfully provides a few more details on the arm, including word that it can be controlled through a variety of means including foot pedals, nerves or muscles, and that it packs force feedback to give the wearer an indication of grip strength, among other suitably sci-fi-like things. It's still awaiting formal clinical trials, but Dean Kamen's so-called "Luke" artificial arm has already gone through its share of tests, which we can now thankfully catch a glimpse of courtesy of a new video from the folks at IEEE Spectrum Online. Of course, none of this exactly does the arm justice, so be sure to check out the video at the read link below to see it in action for yourself.





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Gas tank robot's



Somewhat interestingly, the inventors admit that the technology isn't an entirely new idea, and they give credit for the inspiration to the robots used for milking cows, saying that "if a robot can do that then why can't it fill a car tank. " While it's apparently not a done deal just yet, the team say they hope to roll out the robot to a "handful" of Dutch gas stations by the end of the year. Coming in at the relatively bargain price of €75,000 (or $111,100), the bot can apparently identify cars as they pull up, and reference them against a database to determine the type of fuel cap and the fuel type to use, which should avoid any mishaps. As if robots didn't already have enough of our jobs, a group of Dutch inventors have now taken the wraps off their new car-fueling robot, which they hope will one day be filling up your tank at a gas station near your.





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Dean Kamen's robo-arm









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Be sure to check out the rest of the profile of the arm's development, which is well worth the read. Apparently somewhere along the way Dean Kamen's robo-prosthestesis came to be called the Luke arm (care to guess why?), and according to the IEEE Spectrum blog, it's gearing up to undergo Food and Drug Administration trials pending DARPA's final thumbs-up, which would put the project in motion.

Crowd-monitoring humanoid


Nevertheless, this humanoid is apparently allowed to run amok at Universal Citywalk Osaka as the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute tests out its ability to interpret signals from cameras, sensors and RFID readers and determine which patrons are thoroughly lost.When it recognizes a stumped individual, it wheels over, confirms their state of confusion and politely offers directions to their destination of choice. We've witnessed our fair share of Robovies, and let's just say we've a healthy fear of 'em. That being said, we're fairly certain we'd come darn close to fainting or reacting violently should the creature pictured above approach us while shopping ever. Still, tell us you could seriously look down at those eyes and not completely forget where you were trying to go -- we triple-dog dare you.







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LawnBott LB3500



iRobot may own the market for autonomous indoor cleaning devices, but when it comes to taming that wild jungle you call a backyard, the new king of the hill may well be the LawnBott LB3500. Of course, all these high-end features don't come cheap, and when the LB3500 does come to market (date: unknown), we imagine that it's gonna cost a good deal more than the current high-end, $2,500 LB3200. Reader John Locke somehow managed to send an email from the island notifying us that The Robot Store has the LB3500 listed at $3,699, on sale for "only" $3,249. Also available is the "Super" LB3500, which is really just a kit that includes two extra lithium-ion batteries and tacks almost $600 on to the price. This fourth-generation LawnBott from Kyodo America improves upon its predecessors in nearly every category: even though it weighs ten pounds less than the entry-level LB2000, it offers up a greater coverage area, increased cutting width, greatly improved incline climbing capability, longer runtime, and best of all, a Bluetooth radio for programming or direct control by cellphone. Thanks, John, but we bet Jack and Kate won't be too happy when they find out you have Gmail access. Check out the gallery below for some more angles. Update: Wow!






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TeMo robot carries mobile



Put simply, the creature's handset runs a webserver that can be accessed from anywhere, theoretically giving its owner the ability to beam out commands halfway (or fully) across the globe. Best of all, the lowdown of how TeMo ticks is sprawled out in the read link below, so be sure to give that some attention if this sounds like the perfect solution for that strained long-distance relationship. All gushing aside, the homegrown TeMo is indeed a pretty swank concoction -- it's constructed primarily from Lego Technic blocks and features five servo motors, an arm (you know, for doing stuff), a microcontroller and it's very own cellphone, complete with an unlimited data package. We know just how attached humans can become with their robots -- particularly ones they have had a hand in creating. Thankfully, the advent of mobile broadband is allowing us to stay closer and closer to our mechanical critters, even when we're away.





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Robots Chair



Anyone can go into Office Depot and pick up a rolling desk seat for fifty bucks, but it takes a truly lazy individual to shell out almost $22,000 for a chair that very slowly "walks" you into proper working position. Actually, we doubt that the commercially-available Walking Chair from Vienna-based design studio Walking Things is really built for sitting; it's more likely meant as a showpiece for the ridiculous amount of disposable income you're pulling in. Each minimalist eight-legged unit is hand-assembled upon order, meaning that you'll need to wait at least six weeks to show your friends how very little €15,000 ($21,906) mean to you.





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