Robot Living

Robocup 2009 is currently underway in Graz Austria.  For more information on what Robocup is and does, check out this PDF brochure.

The current standard platform used is the humanoid NAO by Aldebaran Robotics.  This replaced the highly popular four legged league, which used the Sony Aibo.

Robocup organizers hope that by 2050 they can create a league of soccer playing humanoids that can play well enough to compete against real humans .

Check out one of the finals from last year in a video after the break.

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Wow.  This was certainly part of one  little boy’s childhood fantasies.  These awesome robots were built by Jiro Aizawa in the 1950’s and 1960’s and apparently have been sleeping in a warehouse until now.

The Google translator states the following:

Were sleeping in a warehouse until it’s released by the packaging. We look at the state and restore the dynamics at the time.

Apparently the robots were hiding in a warehouse and have only recently been uncovered.  Some have lights, some have moving parts and tubes and will be restored.  We so very much need one to grace our living room with it’s presence.

Google’s translation from Japanese also states:

Mr. Aizawa Zirou is affected by the box car was exhibited at the fair in London in an elementary school student, then a total of 800 produced in the body of a humanoid robot.

Is this stating that 800 of these amazing robots were made?

Click on through for more amazing photos.

Link via (Botjunkie)

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Clara was created by Sarah Angliss, a musician, sound artist and tinkerer, to play the theremin.

In Sarah’s own words:

Named in honour of the original theremin virtuoso Clara Rockmore, Clara 2.0 is a robot doll who can play the theremin live. I call her the ‘polite robot thereminist’ as she listens to a line from another player and moves her dolly arm to bring her own theremin in perfect tune.

Can you say Uncanny Valley?

Check out Clara jamming in a video after the break.

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Now that the giant Gundam statue is done, folks in Japan found time to start building Tetsujin.

Earlier this year, a Tetsujin was also created for use in a stage play.

This time, the robot is being built in Wakamatsu Park in Kobe.  The robot will be over 60 feet tall and weigh over 50 tons.

Tetsujin is originally from a 1956 Japanese manga.  It was later adapted for American audiences and called Gigantor.

Our question to you is, who would win in a fight, Gundam or Tetsujin?

Video of the building progress after the break.

Link via (Gizmodo)
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WowWee’s FlyTech Skyhopper is similar to their Dragonfly.  This flying toy will allow you to easily back out of tight space and can be launched from your hand.

No word on when it will be available as it is currently at the FCC.

The Dragonfly currently sells for $20, so hopefully Skyhopper will have a similar price.

Check out the manual here (PDF).

Link via (Gizmodo)