From Car to i-Swing...What a Segway!

(above from videovat.com)

From AHN - All Headline News:
"Toyota, Sony To Develop Car Robot"
"Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - Japan's technology giants have joined forces to develop an intelligent personal transporter, according to the Associated Press..."
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008343975

From: gizmag
'Toyota's i-swing personal mobility concept"
"Toyota has debuted its latest personal mobility concept at the Tokyo Show today to massive public interest. Toyota's i-swing is a new personal mobility vehicle in the same vein as the personal mobility models (such as the PM , i-unit and I-foot ) Toyota has exhibited previously but one that takes the concept several steps further, with the capability of operating in a similar manner to the Segway in two wheeled mode at walking pace on a footpath so it takes up little space, or transform to a three-wheeled mode for road speeds..."
http://www.gizmag.com/go/4730/

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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
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Who Ya Gonna Call?

From: TBO.com Live in the Moment

"Robotics Wiz Called To Mine"

"Under ordinary circumstances, Professor Robin Murphy would have greeted her students Monday on the first day of classes at the University of South Florida.
Instead, she was on a Utah mountaintop, manipulating a robotic camera in a hole more than 1,500 feet deep. .."

http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBSMC0UV5F.html
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

This Docent NEVER Dozes!

A decent docent doesn't doze,

But bright and sprightly, on her toes -

Her well-appointed rounds she goes,

And erudition from her flows

hi audible and lucid prose.

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Princeton Student Publication 1933
http://tigernet.princeton.edu/~cl1933/
article.asp?year=1999&url=18poets-corner

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From WAZIWAZI Robotics Today:

"Toyota's New Tour Guide Robot"

"Toyota announced today a tour guide robot (with a cool hair-do) that will show visitors around its exhibition hall in Toyota City. There's not much detail about the robot named Robina, but the press release says the wheeled robot can communicate with visitors verbally and using gestures..."

http://waziwazi.com/node/66

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But hey, that's not all - Robina is a robot of many talents -

Like, receptionist, for instance

From: ubergizmo

"TPR-Robina robot from Toyota"

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2007/08/tprrobina_robot_from_toyota.html

Or hall monitor...

From: Edmunds INSIDELINE:

"Toyota's Latest Model Has a Face and Can Sign Autographs"

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=122280

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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

Every (robotic) Dog Has Its Day!

From: GEARLOG

"Toyota to Resurrect AIBO and QRIO? "

"No doubt about it, the best consumer robots ever built came from Sony. But when the company pulled the plug on its robotics division more than a year ago, it left robot enthusiasts like me crying in their servos. Now comes word from Nikkei Business Online (and re reported elsewhere on robots blogs like WaziWazi), that Toyota is possibly buying Sony's shuttered robotics division. It's potentially great news, but I'm not exactly sure of what Sony will be getting. .."

http://www.gearlog.com/2007/08/toyota_to_resurrect_aibo_and_q.php

Some Background Info...

• SONY AIBO website: http://support.sony-europe.com/aibo/index.asp


• Wikipedia article on AIBO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIBO


• AIBO-Life (for serious AIBO freaks:) http://www.aibo-life.org/


• "Sony puts Aibo to sleep" (and the sad news from CNET - (January, 2006) http://news.com.com/Sony+puts+Aibo+to+sleep/2100-1041_3-6031649.html
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  Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

Even Robots Get Make-Overs :)

From Yahoo! News:
"Robotic vacuum gets a redesign"
"...Nearly five years after rolling onto the market, the Roomba vacuum cleaner has undergone a ground-up redesign that has endowed the otherwise-brainy robot with the smarts to overcome rug tassels and electrical cords. .."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070822/ap_on_hi_te/techbit_robo_vac_redesign_2

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Also: There is more to Roomba than cleaning rugs!

1) RoombaDevTools line of products provides various interfaces for the iRobot Roomba Floorvac to be used as a robotic base for experimentation, academic, and commercial solutions...

http://www.roombadevtools.com/

2) "Pretty Flippin' Awesome" YouTube video of a geek's hack of a Roomba with Wii controler and software...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mj4lsNw3IG0

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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

Putting New Springs in Their Step

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPhoto from article below

From: Dothan Eagle

"Robotics helps stroke victim walk"

"The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward is not something Ed Plowden will ever take for granted. A stroke on July 3 left his right arm and right leg paralyzed...The computerized robotic system guides Plowden along, “teaching” him how to walk again while sensors track functions and monitor progress, even adjusting the power and speed to suit his needs. Safety features automatically stop the machine if, for example, a patient stumbles."

http://www.dothaneagle.com/content/gulfcoasteast/dea/lifestyle.apx.-content-articles-DEA-2007-08-21-0026.html

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Also - From: Woodland Progress (A Gateway Newspaper)

"Plum student takes another step on road to recovery"

"...Megan, 16, who will be starting her junior year at Plum Borough Senior High School in the fall, was able to walk on a treadmill for the first time in more than three and a half years thanks to a new machine purchased by the hospital... The device, known as the AutoAmbulator supports Megan, who is a paraplegic, with harnesses and straps while another part of the machine moves her legs in a walking motion along the treadmill."

http://www.gatewaynewspapers.com/woodlandprogress/indepth/5620/

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Junior's Tonsillectomy May Never Be the Same...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxProbo Robot

From eHealth Europe:
"Bill Gates backs Belgian huggable robot"

"Bill Gates, the creator of Microsoft, has backed a firm specialising in the creation of robots to aid child care experiences in hospitals..."

http://www.ehealtheurope.net/news/2968/bill_gates_backs_belgian_huggable_robot_development

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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book) http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

My Hands May Be a Little Cold, But...

From HealthEurope:
"Robotic future of patient care"
"Robotics is revolutionising the way healthcare staff work together and how patients are treated. This is a necessary evolution if we are to meet the workforce requirements over the coming decade..."
http://ehealtheurope.net/comment_and_analysis/250/robotic_future_of_patient_care

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From Businesswire:
"Adept Robotics Displayed at Major National Pharmacy Conference"
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070814005337&newsLang=en
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book) http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

Move Over Picasso and Tell Kandinsky the News

From Manufacturing Talk:
"Painting robots suit all work sizes"
"A range of of painting robots include eight models for small to large workpieces and there is a variety of wrists providing up to six axes of movement..."
http://www.manufacturingtalk.com/news/kaw/kaw114.html
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

No Robot Left Behind

CLASSROOM ROBOTICS: Case Stories of 21st Century Instruction for Milenial Students

Information Age Publishers -

http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

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Promotional Material from Skilligent:
"Skilligent! is a robot behavior control system with robot learning and social interaction capabilities for the next generation industrial robots and multifunctional service robots.

Skilligent! enables creation of robots which can be trained by end users (vs. programmed by a software engineer). This feature is equally important to end users as well as robotic products manufacturers as it greatly increases the usefulness of the robot..."
http://www.skilligent.com/products/

An Army That Doesn't Complain About The Chow

From: TIME magazine

"Iraq's Coming Robot Wars"
With military recruitment a constant struggle, the U.S. Army is coming up with a new way to come up with bodies: it is going to build them.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1652481,00.html

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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)

http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

Underwater Robots Rush In Where Wise Men Never Go...

From: Boston Globe
"Robots go under the seas"
"2 Bay State firms' devices help the Navy clear mines from the ocean more safely and efficiently"
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/07/16/robots_go_under_the_seas/

ALSO>>>
From CNET News.com (some great pictures included)
"Robot subs vie for top honors"
"Under water is the place to be this weekend if you're an engineering student looking for a challenge. This begoggled midshipman is sharing pool time with the U.S. Naval Academy's entrant in the 10th annual Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition, taking place at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center in San Diego..."
http://news.com.com/2300-11394_3-6196395-1.html?tag=ne.gall.pg
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

You load sixteen tons...

"If you see me comin', better step aside.
A lotta men didn't, a lotta men died.

One fist of iron, the other of steel.

If the right one don't a-get you, Then the left one will"

Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford

Above: A mining robot, called Groundhog,
in action at a Pennsylvania coal mine. (Carnegie-Mellon Univ)
"Could Robots Replace Humans in Mines?"
"Why do human beings still risk their lives burrowing miles under ground and doing one of the dirtiest and most dangerous jobs in the world?"
From NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12637032

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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)

http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

This Robot Thinks It Can Dance

From: Guardian Unlimited

"Japanese teach robot to dance"

"Scientists in Japan have taught a human-sized robot to imitate the steps of a dancer...

... To prove its accuracy, the robot can perform alongside a human dancer. And despite its "Terminator" appearance, the robot is remarkably lifelike."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/aug/08/robots.japan

*Watch the Video:* http://staff.aist.go.jp/s.nakaoka/movies/BandaisanHRP-2.mpg

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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)

http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

This is not - repeat, NOT Science Fiction!!!

From: The Christian Science Monitor
"When robots roam the earth"
"What will be the first alien intelligence with which humans come into contact? Surprisingly, it won't come from another planet. Instead, these entities will be the work of humans – robots with an artificial intelligence that will demand new rules about their roles in society..."
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0808/p08s01-comv.html
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

The Machines of Summer - Robot Gets Up to Bat!

From: baseballbats (YouTube) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

Robots Perform Surgery at Patients' Request

A Great Summer Read
"CLASSROOM ROBOTICS"
http://www.infoagepub.com/
products/content/
978-1-59311-602-6.php
"Couldn't put it down"
Bar Code Reader XZ2907

From the Modesto Bee

"Surgery with Artistry: Robotic System named da Vinci helps fine-tune operations"
"For more than two years, Dr. Bob Eisenberg has worked with an operating room assistant with three arms. The new one has four and he believes patients are better off for it.
Like a growing number of surgeons nationwide, the Modesto urologist has been doing robotic-assisted surgeries..."

http://www.modbee.com/local/story/34773.html

Now Push! Doctors in Training Deliver Baby Robots

Great VIDEO Content! Pregnant Robot delivers healthy baby bot and teaches doctors how to deliver human babies! This one's from Discovery Education, highly appropriate for middle and high school instruction (approx. 4 minutes of content).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c274aje6VTs

ALSO

"Pregnant Robot" (approx. 2.5 minutes of appropriate content)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1jv9FbfWIY&mode=related&search=

AND

"Lifesized Robot Gives Birth" (approx. 2 minutes of appropriate content)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDcNNqcLjcw&mode=related&search=

BUT

"Robot Birth" Nothing cute about this baby! This one is rated RG suggested (Robotic Guidance)... Teacher Guidance and Parental Nod would be useful, too. BUT highly amusing for those who can handle it:) (under 2 mintues)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOEYh3a26DY&mode=related&search=
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
http://www.infoagepub.com/products/content/978-1-59311-602-6.php

Humans Try to Learn from Robots

Glow bots are difficult to learn from, but promise important lessons for humans willing to pay attention and study.

From Discovery News:
"Tiny 'GlowBots' Hint at Future of Robotics"
"...what about intelligent robots that serve more subtle purposes, such appealing to our sense of curiosity or pride?
As part of the European ECAgents project, researchers are exploring the concept using a collection of small, wheeled robots, called GlowBots, that communicate with each other and their owner in understated ways."
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/08/02/globot_tec.html?category=technology&guid=20070802160030
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
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Robots Pick Fruit for Farmers

From KPBS Radio:
"Robotic Fruit Pickers Could Pick Off Migrant Workers
Imagine an orange picker or cherry plucker who never gets tired. He never requires a paycheck. And he definitely doesn't need a green card, let alone a Social Security number. Farmers in California are investing serious cash into this new workforce. And a high-tech San Diego company is building it. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps has the story..."
http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=9215
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Check Out: "CLASSROOM ROBOTICS" (the book)
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