Get the Second Nao at Half Price
This is an incredible promotion from RobotShop and Aldebaran. If you purchase a Nao H25 by June 15th 2011, you can get a second one at half price. This represents savings of almost 8000$.
As you may already know, Nao is an awesome humanoid robot that can be used as a very versatile development platform for serious research such as machine learning and robot-human interaction, and for more surprising development as shown below.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Robot Needs
The chart above depicts the robotic version of the original Marlow’s human needs. Now, it is much more clear why robots will eventually enslave us. Also, keep in mind that (at least according to this chart) to vacuum the living room is the equivalent of becoming friends for your very own domestic robot.
Via BotJunkie (via Lunch Breath).
Telenoid R1 Frightens Humans
Hiroshi Ishiguro is a master of creepy robotics, and now has managed to produce the creepiest robot by far: Behold the Telenoid R1.
The robot is intended to be a telepresence companion that will emulate the facial expression and body gestures of the human controlling it from afar. Everybody would agree that there are many other ways of producing a telepresence robot that will not give you nightmares for the rest of your life and that will not cost 35 000 $ each. For those of you already wanting one of these unholy creatures but are not prepared to speed such an important amount of money, there will be a cheaper version that will sale for as low as 8 000 $ and will feature fewer degrees of freedom and a cloth skin (instead of the original silicon skin)…What a bargain!
Prof. Hiroshi Ishiguro (on the right) Holding a Ghoulish Robot
As shown in the videos below, the robot can clumsily pan and tilt its head, wiggle its abbreviated limbs and “tail”, and requires a stand in order to face other humans.
We quite frankly do not understand what is being said in the video, but it nevertheless remains creepy and disturbing.
Via Plastic Pals.
Playful funny Robots are loose in the streets of Montreal as part of the Just For Laughs Festival 2010.
Androids in Montreal
Do not worry, the robot invasion and occupation has not started yet, we can still enjoy a few extra years of freedom. These, so called, Androïdes are actually humans in disguise (who would have guessed?). Actually, they are more than just humans, they are hip-hop dancers from the Aircompagnie, a French dance troupe. They will be performing in the streets of Montreal for the next week until July 25th.
Below you can see a video where they do a bit more than just “the robot”.
This robotic quadruplet has certainly attracted attention at the Robo-One competition.
Four robots attached to each other were the clowns and entertained the audience there.
It’s rare to see a robot be funny but it’s pretty refreshing to watch.
Here are the four Kondo humanoid robots.
When did robots at the circus go to the Just For a Laugh Festival? : -)
Here’s a joke that we’ve found on the web that features a lie detector robot at the hands of 3 people.
A father, son and mother.
Who’s lying and who’s telling the truth? You’ll find out 
A man returns from work with a lie detector robot. His 12 year old son comes home 3 hours late from school:
- Where’ve you been all this time? asks the father. – I was in the library doing homework!
The robot homes in on the son and slaps him… The father explains:
- my son, this robot is a lie detector! You’d better tell the truth… – Ok, I was at a mate’s and we were watching a film: the 10 commandments.
And whack! Another slap:
- Ow! Actually, it was an erotic film… – I’m ashamed of you! At your age, I never lied to my parents!
And whack! The robot gives the father a slap… the mother laughs and says:
He’s definitely your son!
And whack! And mom gets a slap…
Here are the “Deep Thoughts” of a robot.
It’s a spoof of “Deep thoughts”, a sketch by the “Saturday Night Live” show.
Are robots cold and emotion free?
What happens when a robot and a human exchange deep thoughts?
You’ll find out by watching this funny clip
The oldest brand of soda by Uncle Sam (1885), Dr Pepper, has decided to make a joint commercial with Iron Man.
In it we see an employee in the middle of cleaning when his name is called by a voice.
Then comes a rapid transformation with a robotic bodysuit, like in the Iron Man 2 film.
But no such luck for this young man… He doesn’t get an Iron Man suit but a Dr Pepper drinks vending machine instead.
You hear him vent his frustration of being locked in the machine before he changes his mind and finally says that everything’s fine… since he can drink soda at his will.
No doubt this should sell more drinks…
Here’s a particularly interesting video in terms of thinking about robotics
A robot attempting to solve a Rubik’s Cube.
To begin with, it works rather well… until the cube falls and the robot loses its patience.
Then suddenly it attacks the Rubik’s cube!
We assure you, it’s funny, and well made (video by Guillaume Robichaud).
We’ve already seen cats which took pleasure in walking on the Roomba.
But this is quite unheard of, it could be a first: a turtle on the iRobot vacuum cleaner!
She seems to be really enjoying the walk because she doesn’t look like she wants to try to get back down, except at the end of the video.
The Roomba is one of those robots which has been used for testing most things, either for fun with passengers like below, or by hacks to improve it or divert its original purpose.
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