Just what’s needed to brighten up a dreary cubicle and provide entertainment when your warden supervisor isn’t looking –  Zibits, a new series of miniature remote controlled robots that are about 2″ tall, move in “several directions including  a full 360º rotation”, and that are equipped with “robotic lights and sounds”.

Zibits will show up at Toys ‘R Us in mid-March for less than $10.


Zibits Miniature Robots

Already going through sports withdrawal now that the Super Bowl has ended?  Not too excited about the upcoming Winter Olympics?  Well, how about we add one-part thrill of competition, plus one-part agony of defeat mixed with a heaping mess of Robots.  Yeah, you read that right.  Robots.

• Hand-to-hand robot combat?  Check.
• Sumo-wrestling robots?  Check.
• Fire-fighting robots?  Got them, too.
• Dancing Robots? Robots mixing cocktails?   Done and done!
  

What crazy, topsy-turvy alternate universe of coolness is this  where you can watch Robots engage in all manner of competition?  Why, right here via the RoboGames, of course.  You’ll be able to catch all of he action as hundreds of robots compete (and sometimes flat-out destroy each other) via the web April 23rd-25th.

Tech enthusiasts, engineers and people who just like watchin’ stuff get smashed and/or explode should read on to get the full scoop on the 2010 RoboGames competition.

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You remember that lovable robotic baby dinosaur, Pleo, don’t you?  Well now you can help choose the next Pleo and take advantage of a great deal this month.   Pleoworld is holding a poll to select one of five color patterns for a new Pleo that will come out this year. Go vote for your favorite Pleo color now, and you will be automatically entered for a free raffle to win your very own one-of-a-kind custom made Pleo designed by Jerry Finney.   So what are you waiting for?  Be the coolest kid on the block — or the coolest parent on the block – with your very own Pleo.

If you don’t want to hold off until the end of the month, you’re in luck as there will be free shipping through February 28th.  The winner of the unique, Pleo robotic dinosaur will be announced the same day.

[Pleoworld]

Deep Blue besting Gary Kasparov was a landmark moment in artificial intelligence, so much so that it has become almost a cliche of artificial intelligence. It’s even been stolen as a plotline for “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles“!

Interestingly, the plotline for T:TSCC actually hits very close to Gary Kasparov’s own thoughts on computers playing chess; that it isn’t when a computer goes through the motions that it really plays chess, but when it learns to be creative and think outside set, analytic strategies.

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I have a confession to make.  I like penguins.  Part of this is I am a Linux user and Tux, the Linux mascot, is a penguin.  The other part is they are so darn cute.  That’s why I decided to take a look when Arimaz offered to send a sample of MyDeskFriend AKA Pingo.

Part Tamagotchi, part Facebook app, part Tux Droid and all cute.  That about sums up this tiny robot that fits in your hand.  MyDeskFriend comes with a little USB docking station, Pingo the Penguin and a little rubber visor that Pingo wears.

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My Tuxdroid keeps me company every Wednesday night as I do the Tech Show, and now Tuxdroid has a brand new buddycalled My Desk Friend.  His real name is Pingo, and he will read your mail to you, update you on your friends’ Facebook status, dance around your desktop, as well as read RSS feeds.  Pingo is much smaller than Tuxdroid.  Little Pingo can fit in the palm of your hand, and Pingo has 2 wheels, a Microphone, a speaker, 2 multicolored eyes and sensors to prevent him from rolling off the table.

The only problem I have with Pingo is that he only works with Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Mac OS X (10.5 or 10.6).  There is no Linux software for it.  Don’t they know Linux dudes love penguins?

Pingo is available today for about $149 at their website.  Orders must be placed by December 13th to receive by December 23rd so don’t delay.

Remember Pleo that Judie and her kitty played with a while back?  Well it appears to be coming out of extinction and is now for sale at the Pleoworld web site!  So if you did not get a chance to order your own life-like dinosaur, then now is your chance!  He’s currently $349.  Continue Reading

Hoya Robot, A South Korean company, is developing a robot that one day might just help save the lives of both victims and firefighters.  The Firefighter’s Assistant Robot can enter burning building and size up the scene as well as check for victims who may be trapped inside.

The unit can operate for up to 30 minutes and withstand temperatures of up to 320 degrees F.  Weighing in at only 3 pounds the robot is water resistant and it can survive falls of up to 6 feet.  It’s small enough that it can fit in the palm of your hand.

The super speedy robot can cover over one foot per second and can be remote controlled from 54 yards away.  It’s meant to quickly enter a fire scene where it can send back information such as data on temperature, smoke and gasses.  Its on-board camera has lights underneath which illuminate the area around it.

About 50 fire stations in South Korea are set to receive 100 test units of the robot and Hoya plans to show off the device at the International Robot Exhibition 2009 (iRex) in Tokyo in November.

Watch the robot in action.

Source:  Fire Link

Kysoh.com has released the new Tux Droid 2.0.  Tux Droid is essentially a Open Source Nabaztag that looks like Tux the Penguin (Tux was originally designed as the Linux mascot by Larry Ewing).  The Tux Droid is wirelessly connected to your computer via its cute fish shaped dongle, which  has a striking resemblance to Tux himself.  What does Tux do?  He’ll do a little dance whenever you get an E-mail, Twitter message or a Facebook messag; he also has a text-to-speech engine, and by interacting with Tux Droid, you can also complete certain tasks on your computer.  If you aren’t right next to him to interact with him, you can use Tux Droid’s remote control.

In the spirit of Linux, Tux Droid is a Open Source device; all of the source code is available for Tux Droid, which means if he doesn’t do something you would like right now, you have the power to change that.

Just head on over to kysoh.com and take a look.  Strangely enough, Tux Droid works on Windows as well as any Linux distro with a 2.4 kernel or better.  Tux Droid is available at ThinkGeek.com and Kysoh.com for $149.99.

The concept of conciousness and awareness has always fascinated me. It was what drew me to science fiction as a kid, and to philosophy as I got older. One of the tropes of science fiction is artificial intelligence, the idea that a computer robot can become sentient and move beyond the limits of its programming.

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Here’s an interesting twist on the boring old web camera. Just like 8 bazillion other web cams this will provide video through an Internet connection. And (yawn) it does so via Wi-Fi. But here’s where things get interesting. This version goes mobile and provides images via 802.11b/g while simultaneously performing 360 degree turns. For a projected cost of only $169 this gizmo’s worth a look. I’m not sure how much or how precisely you can steer – though the literature mentions 360 degree turns.

Spyball can be connected to from many WiFi enabled devices such as PC’s, video game consoles and even cell phones. It comes with a USB cord that takes the user through an easy setup process to configure Spyball for remote access. Spyball is little brother to the self navigating and self recharging Rovio robot.

Spyball has two revolving domes, one per side that act as wheels. The middle section is unmoving and holds the camera. In its closed state, the camera folds down and a balancing wheel tucks into the body. In this state, you can roll the ball along the ground. It has a bottom weight which is used to correct its positioning when it comes to a stop. This orients Spyball into the correct position for the changing to the camera or open state. Once activated electronically the head and balancing wheel pop out to allow you to start driving it again.

WowWee – Spyball – Available Q4 2009 – approximately $169

Oh to be one of those geeks who can effortlessly start up a remote control helicopter and make it fly, but alas. When I play with those type toys I am the one who will almost always immediately crash and burn…assuming I can even get lift off. It’s okay, though; I have found a flying toy which I can operate, and that doesn’t come complete with the same frustration I’ve discovered in others of the type: the WowWee Flytech Bladestar. Built for those who are eight years old and up, it’s even fun for those of us who have hit the big 4-0 (plus one).

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Robert Oschler, the sovereign of all things robotic has just sent his latest email featuring what will likely be one of the holiday’s hottest toys: Elmo Live.

According to the Fisher Price site, “In this truly life-like creation, for the first time ever, Elmo seems to actually be speaking as his mouth opens and closes just like the real muppet, Elmo, from Sesame Street. His mannerisms are right on target as his head moves back and forth as he speaks. He waves his arms, sits and stands, even crosses his legs all the while telling stories and jokes, singing songs and playing games. Children can activate the magic with a tickle or a squeeze of Elmo’s foot, tummy, back or nose.”

Stay tuned for the cuteness overload…

Hello Judie,

Here’s the latest:

First hands-on review of the Fisher Price Elmo Live Doll, straight out of its retail packaging. The video highlights Elmo Live’s interactive touch sensors, play along stories, singing and dancing, tilt sensor (Elmo knows when he’s fallen over), battery saving mode, and more. Also contains a cameo appearance by Cookie Monster. In conclusion, it’s a smash hit:

Here is a URL to our information page on the Elmo Live and the review video that includes tips on how to play with Elmo Live and how to save big bucks on batteries:

Thanks,
Robert Oschler
RobotsRule.com

Robert’s at it again; today he has information on Mr. Personality, WowWee’s new omni-directional entertainment robot. Why might you want one? Read on…

Hello Judie,

Reminiscent of one of the robots at the robot carnival in the movie A.I., Mr. Personality is a unique interactive robot companion that talks up a storm. He’s a natural joke teller, a fortune teller, and will even give you whimsical answers about your future. Instead of a featureless face Mr. Personality has an animated face which is displayed via a head mounted full color LCD.

Features

* Can move in all directions using a unique three wheeled mobile base
* Tells stories, jokes, and fortunes and will talk to you too
* Full color head mounted LCD screen display an animated face with synchronized facial expressions and sounds
* Has several distinct play modes including: Bits, Crystal Ball, Fortune Cookies, Demo and others.
* Detects and avoids obstacles and will let you know if he has fallen over or if his batteries are getting low on juice

Official WowWee YouTube video:

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Being a kid these days is getting way too cool; not only can you cuddle with a robotic pet lion, you can even own a mountable baby dinosaur! Granted, Kota the Triceratops will not take your child (ages 3+) for a ride around his or her room, but Kota does provide the most realistic baby dinosaur experience anyone has had in the last 65 million years. Since people weren’t around when real dinos were last roaming, who’s to say that I’m wrong?

Kindle your child’s curiosity for prehistoric creatures and make-believe adventures with his very own life-sized baby dinosaur. You may have seen “talking” and “moving” toys before, but chances are your dino-loving toddler has never seen a prehistoric “pet” that comes to “life” with realistic electronic sounds and motion. It’s fossil-sized fun standing just over three feet tall. A hidden handle helps kids hold on once they climb onto the dinosaur’s back. Realistic stomping sounds add to the make-believe fun as kids bounce in place on the spring seat. Talk to KOTA the Triceratops and he roars back with expressive tail, head, eye, mouth and horn movements. Hold out your hand and KOTA “sniffs” it! In fact, it’s easy to trigger all of his sensitive spots – try tickling his belly or chin to make KOTA “laugh”. And when you think this pretend dinosaur has worked up an appetite, be sure to “feed” KOTA his leafy snack – it really sounds like he’s munching on it! Four different adventure-themed tunes set the mood for your child’s wild imagination as he embarks on a dino-filled daydream. But don’t worry! A convenient volume control switch lets you adjust the level or turn it off. KOTA the Triceratops may look thick-skinned, but just one stroke on his scaly-like fabric “hide” will prove he’s really a soft and snuggable playmate who’s ready for all of your child’s dino-roarin’ escapades. Dinosaur figure comes with leafy snack and instructions.

photo and descriptive quotes from Amazon

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