This video shows a man controlling a robot using only his thoughts. It’s “mind” blowing. <- rly?!

[via pink tentacle]

Still freaky as ever.

[YouTube | Big Dog]

(quicktime version 40MB)

This is a demonstration of a telepresence robot doing a rather complicated task, unboxing an iRobot Roomba Vacuum. So meta it hurts.

[YouTube | via anybots]

Lockheed Martin Press Release:

Lockheed Martin announced today that its team successfully conducted a free-flight hover test of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s Multiple Kill Vehicle-L. Conducted Dec. 2 at the National Hover Test Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., the test met all objectives.

The MKV-L Hover Test Bed development team for the Missile Defense Agency includes: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., prime contractor; Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Canoga Park, Calif.; and Octant Technologies, San Jose, Calif.

[press release | direct link to video (16 MB of .wmv suckage) | via engadget]

Gilles Walker writes:

‘PEEPSHOW’ – we are now all living in a peepshow. Continually being watched by mechanical peeping toms.

With this in mind, I was amused by the way that the expression ‘sexed-up’ had been introduced into British politik speak..and how it was now firmly established in the press vocabulary. It is not hard to see how this expression is linked with the concept of surveillance as it is sold to the British public with ‘sexed-up’ statistics in dossiers about the threat of crime and terrorism. Britain is now the most monitored country in the world with CCTV cameras the foot-soldiers of this phenomena…..

I wondered if it was possible to literally ‘sex-up’ a CCTV camera with simple mechanics…and by using the imagery of a pole dancer question the roles played in voyeurism, such as who holds the power …the observer or the observed.’

[Giles Walker | via DVICE | via BBC]

[RoboDynamics]

Make:

This chair-like robot consists of a planter with robotic legs and some circuitry to detect sunlight levels in the room. When the robot finds the brightest spot it scurries on its legs over in that direction in order to give the plant the most exposure. This reminds us a bit of the “Photosynthesis Robot” by FutureFarmers, although this one would probably be a more manic version of the project.

[via make | plant bot]

Japan of course! Yahoo News:

TSUKUBA, Japan – A robotic suit that reads brain signals and helps people with mobility problems will be available to rent in Japan for $2,200 a month starting Friday — an invention that may have far-reaching benefits for the disabled and elderly.

HAL — short for “hybrid assistive limb” — is a computerized suit with sensors that read brain signals directing limb movement through the skin.

The 22-pound battery-operated computer system is belted to the waist. It captures the brain signals and relays them to mechanical leg braces strapped to the thighs and knees, which then provide robotic assistance to people as they walk.

Cyberdyne, a new company in Tsukuba outside Tokyo, will mass-produce HAL. Two people demonstrated the suits at the company’s headquarters on Tuesday.

A demonstration video also showed a partially paralyzed person getting up from a chair and walking slowly wearing the HAL suit.

“We are ready to present this to the world,” said Yoshiyuki Sankai, a University of Tsukuba professor who designed HAL.

Sankai, who has worked on robot suits since 1992 and is also Cyberdyne’s chief executive, said a full device that covers the entire body is also being designed, though it is unclear when it will be available commercially.

HAL comes in three sizes — small, medium and large — and also has a one-leg version for a 150,000 yen, or $1,500, monthly rental fee.

Noel Sharkey is a robotics expert not affiliated with the technology. The professor at the University of Sheffield in the U.K. said HAL will have wide-ranging benefits for the elderly others with movement disabilities.

“HAL can only lead to extending the abilities of the elderly and keep them out of care for longer,” Sharkey said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Cyberdyne said its policy is not to reveal how much it costs to manufacture the device. It is unclear when HAL will go on sale to the public or what the price tag will be.

Robotics technology is common in manufacturing sectors, but product liability concerns restrict its widespread use in everyday life. Sankai said the HAL technology is devoted to social welfare purposes only, adding he has refused requests from military officials to share it.

Some European nations have already expressed interest and HAL may soon be on the market there, but U.S. sales are still undecided, Sankai said.

The University of California, Berkeley, and other researchers around the world are working on similar robotic suits that increase mobility.

[Yahoo News]

Spy from Anywhere
Recommended for ages eight and up, Spykee is far more than your ordinary toy robot. Perfect for audio-visual surveillance, Spykee has the ability to move, watch, speak, and hear. With a built-in video camera and microphone, the robot takes real-time pictures with video and with sound effects. When motion is detected, Spykee activates an alarm or sends a picture by email. Compatible with Skype 3.0 (PC) technology, Spykee can also be used as a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone and web camera. Best of all, this motorized robot is equipped with a WiFi card, which means kids can access and control Spykee via the Internet from anywhere in the world.

3-in-1 Robot Fun
But there’s more fun than just spying! Combining a classic robot design with the latest technology, kids can use Spykee to construct three different robot models from this same set. Downloading their favorite songs to Spykee, this spy robot even acts as a digital music player with its own loudspeakers. Compatible with most Erector sets, it features lights and optical fibers, and an IR auto-parking recharging system automatically sends Spykee back to the power station for a recharge.

The Spy robot takes real-time pictures with video and sound effects. View larger.

The robot is equipped with a WiFi card, which means kids can access and control Spykee via the Internet. View larger.

Product Description
Spykee, the spy robot, is a crafty ‘bot that you control via the WiFi connection in your computer. This means you can give Spykee commands from virtually anywhere in the world! Plus, he does just about everything except feed the dog.

Spykee moves, watches, hears, speaks, takes pictures, records video and sound, and can act as a surveillance camera. What’s more – when he begins to lose steam, he automatically heads back to his charging station (included) for more “energy.” Compatible with classic metal Erector sets, sold separately. Requires one 9.6V battery (included). Measures 12″ x 12″ x 12″.

Spy Robot
As you control him through your computer, Spykee can move, watch, hear, speak, take pictures, and record video and sound. Send him off on your most intriguing missions while you watch from the safety of your home computer.

VOIP Phone
Need to make a call’ No problem. Spykee acts as a VOIP phone and webcam, and is compatible with Spykee 3.0 (PC) technology.

Video Surveillance
Spykee keeps an eye out for you. When he detects a movement, an alarm is activated on your computer, or he’ll send you a picture via e-mail.

Digital Music Player
Jam to the beat of your own tunes with Spykee. He’s happy to play your favorite songs.

Other Play Functions
From taking snapshots, sound and video recordings to providing video filters, there’s not much Spykee doesn’t do.

Requirements
PC requirements: Windows 2000/XP with .NET framework 2.0. MAC requirements: MAC OS X.

[Spykee Robot on Amazon]