Machines
Ultrasonic Robot Vibrations and Pizza Tossing by Monash University
Really interesting developments on ultrasonic robotic vibrations. Scientists from Monash University will use the physics of a perfect pizza toss to design the next generation of micro motors thinner than a human hair.
No Comments »Soft Morphing Blob by iRobot
I was recently at thefirst architecture robotics conference in Orlando and discussing “jamming” prototypes with Cornell phd students. The prototypes I saw were about the size of a quarter and looked quite structural. iRobot is currently developing a soft ball robot that can inflate and move via the “jamming” phenomena. iRobot’s soft, shape-shifting robot blob can roll around and change shape, and it will be able to squeeze through tiny cracks in a wall when the project is finished. Video presented at IEEE IROS 2009. More info can be viewed on the IEEE website.
No Comments »Juggling Robot by IMRT at ETH Zurich
The Blind Juggler is a robot that is able to juggle a ball on a paddle. The robot does this without any sensing; there are no cameras, no microphones, or any other sensors that could tell the robot where the ball is. Imagine yourself juggling a ball blindfolded. Try it: it’s no easy task!
No Comments »Jollbot by Rhodri Armour
The first jumping and rolling robot, Jollbot has been created by Rhodri Armour, a PhD student from the University of Bath. Its hoped his creation, which can jump over obstacles and roll over smoother terrain, could be used for space exploration or land survey work in the future.
No Comments »Cupcake CNC by Bre Pettis and Makerbot Industries
Bre Pettis and the guys at MakerBot Industries have recently created an affordable (under $950.00) 3d printing machine. It makes almost anything up to 4″x4″x6″. Build your own MakerBot and it makes things for you. MakerBots print with ABS plastic. More information on their website.
No Comments »Ballbot by CMU Ralph Hollis
Multi-wheel statically-stable mobile robots tall enough to interact meaningfully with people must have low centers of gravity, wide bases of support, and low accelerations to avoid tipping over. Ralph Hollis is currently pioneering new types of robots that can rotate on a single point. More information can be found here.
No Comments »World’s Smallest Robot With Gripper
At 1/20th of a cubic inch, this may be the world’s smallest wheeled robot with a gripper. The video shows it picking up and moving an 8 pin integrated circuit. Details on how to build it at instructables. Here is another video.
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