Awesome Animal Robots Kids Will Love and Learn From

From School Library Journal...  https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=5-awesome-animal-robots 

"5 Awesome Animal Robots You Have to See to Believe

by DK
Oct 10, 2018 | Filed in Reviews+

AI inspired by the animal kingdom.

Ever dreamed of having a robot as a pet? Dream even further! These animal-inspired robots are being used to perform extraordinary tasks, as roboticists turn to the natural world for inspiration. From Octobots to RoboBees, these five extraordinary creations from DK's book Robot will change the way you think about technology. Get ready for a high-tech safari!

Octobot | Biomimetic robot

Manufacturer: Harvard University
Origin: USA
Developed: 2016
Size: 2.5 inches long
An octopus has no skeleton, and, similarly, there is no tough technology in Octobot’s tiny tentacles. Octobot is the world’s first completely soft, autonomous robot. Forget batteries, microchips, and computer control. Instead, this bot is 3D printed using soft silicone, and powered by a chemical reaction. It took a team from Harvard University more than 300 attempts to successfully create Octobot, using a fluid-filled circuit flowing through its silicone body. In future, similar soft bots could be used for sea rescue and military surveillance, as they can fit into narrow spaces and mold into their environment.

BionicKangaroo | Biomimetic robot

Manufacturer: Festo
Origin: Germany
Height: 3.3 feet
Everyone’s favorite Australian animal has taken a technological twist in the form of the BionicKangaroo. This big bouncer can jump like a real kangaroo, reaching 6 inches high over a distance of 32 inches. The German manufacturers studied the kangaroo’s unique motion for two years before perfecting this artificial adaptation. A series of motors, sensors, and energy-storing legs ensure the BionicKangaroo never tires.

RoboBees | Swarm robot

Manufacturer: Harvard University
Origin: USA
Developed: 2013
Height: 0.75 inches
Great things do come in very small packages. The RoboBees are tiny flying robots developed by engineers at Harvard University. Assembled by hand under a microscope, RoboBees are fabricated from single sheets of carbon fiber, which are assembled and glued. RoboBees made their first controlled flight in 2013. They can take off and make short flights, changing direction easily and even hovering in midair. Each RoboBee weighs as little as 0.003 ounces – it would take a dozen of these minuscule mini-bots to equal the weight of a jelly bean!

Eelume | Work robot

Manufacturer: Eelume AS
Origin: Norway
Developed: 2016
Weight: Up to 165lbs
Developed for underwater use, this self-propelled bot has serpent-like agility and the streamlined swimming skills of an eel. Its body is made of modules that can be swapped and adapted to the task at hand. As oil and gas industries look for new ways to manage their off-shore installations, Eelume is at the forefront of the field of inspection, maintenance, and repair. Equipped with cameras, sensors, and a range of tools, this aquatic shape-shifter can be straight as a torpedo for long-distance travel, but agile and versatile enough to explore the places no diver or vessel can reach.

eMotion Butterflies | Swarm robot

Manufacturer: Festo
­Origin: Germany
Beautiful robotic butterflies, with wingspans of 1.5 feet, all flutter close to each other in a tight space. How do they do this without colliding? The secret is in how they are controlled from afar, using infrared cameras linked to a powerful central computer. The butterflies themselves are amazing feats of engineering, cramming in a microprocessor, sensors, and twin motors that beat their wings. Powerful batteries may allow this sort of technology to lead to flying robot flocks or swarms that can monitor remote pipelines and structures.

BRONX Team - 2Train Robotics Team #395 (Morris/CSS) Begins 20th Season in FIRST Robotics

Sent to me this morning by my friend Gary Israel...

Dear Friends of 2Train, As many of you know, in addition to building robots and competing in robotics competitions in NYC and around the country, over the last 19 years the 2Train does many community service projects. This weekend we kicked off our 20th season by participating in the Co-op City College, Career & Resource Fair at The College of New Rochelle, School of New Resources, Co-op City Campus in our home town, the BRONX. Co-op City is the largest residential development in the United States serving middle and upper middle income New Yorkers of diverse backgrounds. More than 50,000 people reside in Co-op City. People attending the event were given information about the team and the FIRST Robotics program; children were able to drive the robot. As we prepare to build our 20th, completely different designed robot in January and then six weeks later begin to compete against teams from around the country and the world I want to thank all the students, teachers, mentors and sponsors for their support as 2Train looks forward to the next 20 years. For more information about the team and how you can participate in the upcoming 20th anniversary celebration please go to 2train395.com. Regards, Gary Co-op City, Bronx 2Train Mentors and Students Co-op City College, Career & Resource Fair Evelyn M. Turner, on the left is the Lead Organizer for the Co-op City College, Career & Resource Fair. Arleen Hogan, in the middle is the Campus Director, The College of New Rochelle School of New Resources Co-op City Campus. Bervin Harris, President and CEO, Renaissance Youth Center, a big supporter of 2Train with Reuben Bridges, an original member of the 1999 2Train team and mentor for the past 15 years. 2Train student conductors Moshab Raman and Shadi Yadollahi Khales Team 395 provides students with opportunities to pursue their goals in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This is made possible by our dedicated mentors and amazing sponsors.  For more information about getting on board the 2Train; Gary.G.Israel@gmail.com www.2train395.com 845-893-0327

Great Advice from a LEGO Education Master Educator

A pleasure to have known, and interviewed, and picked the brain of this colleague over many years. CONGRATULATIONS on this very nice piece, Ian Chow-Miller!!!

 

Shoe Tying Robot Created by Students

AND from 2010

Dean Kamen’s FIRST Robotics Competition (Full Segment) | Real Sports w/ Bryant Gumbel | HBO

Girl Powered’ Robotics at Google

"Girl powered’ robotics workshop at Google builds skills, confidence

Outside Google’s MP7 building at its Sunnyvale campus, it was a pretty quiet weekend.
But inside, upbeat music was pumping, and the building was bustling with hundreds of teenage girls clad in purple shirts and name tags who all spent the weekend building and testing robots.

Dozens of teams huddled around their plastic toolboxes, which were filled with small screws, sprockets, springs, and plastic and metal components. They worked to perfect their own claw robot on wheels.
This is the second year the Google Girl’s Robotics Workshop has run at the campus. The tech giant sponsors the event and collaborates with the Girl Powered initiative, comprised of members from the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation and VEX Robotics.

The goal of the initiative is to get more girls involved in robotics and science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields, at an earlier age.

“Girls, by and large, are underrepresented in robotics,” said Vicki Grisanti, the director of marketing for the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation.
Grisanti said hosting these kinds of workshops can help girls build confidence in a challenging environment.

You’re building communication skills, teamwork skills, problem-solving skills,” she said. “These are all things you can develop at a young age doing these competitions, and you take those skills on into your future career...”

Read the full article at its source: https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/12/girl-powered-robotics-workshop-at-google-builds-skills-confidence/