robogina spektor Operations Log

What do you think?

Physignathus is a fire fighting robot designed using Lego Mindstorms NXT kit for Fort Collins 2008 Robot Fire Challenge. A full feature article about the design is featured in this month’s Robot magazine.

I estimate this robot was created to offset the many robots that are built with flame throwers attached as mentioned previously here and here.

TOMY Omnibot 2000 was a humanoid robot that could be programmed to move around your house. He included a digital clock, cassette tape, speaker and could grip objects. He was introducted in the mid-1980’s and cost $1,400.

The galloping race horse kit Item #71112 by Tamiya is the fastest of their mechanical Robocraft series. It has two speeds for racing and runs along on wheels.

I think my horse friend Alsoran, who sings a duet with me on my upcoming album, would appreciate this toy. Especial with today being the Preakness race.

link to product site here.

Sony Dream Robot QRIO appeared in Beck’s “Hell Yes” Video:

QRIO has an extremely advanced sense of balance that allows it to navigate unstable terrain or stand on wobbly surfaces. If QRIO is knocked over it responds by putting its arms out to protect itself from damage, just like a human would. Currently construction of QRIO’s have been halted until a commercially viable model can be released in 2009.

Here’s a video follow-up for last week’s blog warning against building robots with flame throwers.

The Ultimate Wall-E is an advanced Disney Robot Toy based on the title character of the WALL·E movie coming out this summer. WALL·E is about a lovable little robot and these new toys including Ultimate WALL·E and dancing WALL·E will truly bring the characters to life.

For more on Disney’s new robotic toys visit this link. link

wikihow.com has a sensible warning for those who want to know how to build robots such as myself:

 Don’t build a dangerous robot with flame throwers and chainsaws!

link 

This steam powered R2-D2 predecessor referred to as RS-S2 was built by Crabfu Steamworks. Link to info on the build here: click

I often envy the ease in which many more-sophisticated robots move. Perhaps one day, I will be so graceful.