A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle has flown its first ever mission over the USA. This past Monday the robot landed at Beale Air Force Base in California, after completing its unstated mission.


The aircraft is a staple in the War on Terror and has flown over 50 combat missions over the past year in Operation Enduring Freedom. The aircraft is controlled by four flight specialists who operate from a mobile unit the size of a tractor trailer. However, the UAV is capable of taking off, flying and landing all autonomously.

I am, however, quite curious as to what mission the Global Hawk is flying over US skies.



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If you thought having a robot crawl through your intestines or your abdominal cavity was creepy, how about a tiny robot that swims through your spinal column? Dr. Moshe Shoham has developed a propulsion system for such a robot. Such a robot is different from those that travel through your digestive tract, in that it needs its own propulsion system.


Now that the propulsion system has been developed, Shoham can begin work on the payload of the robot, which when finished, will be a tiny endoscope with two swimming actuators, power system, and camera system. It is estimated that it will take several more years to finish the system and further miniaturize it, but Shoham hopes to one day have robots perminently installed in your body for monitoring.



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This is for all of you out there that read the ballroom dancer-bot story and decided you needed to master walking before dancing. Nomura Unison Co. along with Tohoku Universities' Kazuhiro Kosuge and Yasuhisa Hirata have created a robotic walking assistant that not only senses its user's behavior, but also detects obstacles in its way and the slope of the floor. The robot is unmotorized but is able to apply the brakes in order to help its user maintain their balance.

They plan on marketing the robot for rehabilitation, the elderly and physically disabled. The unit should be available for around $4,000 USD.


[Via Engadget ]





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In their never-ending quest to robotisize their culture, the Japanese are well on their way to having robotic hospitals. Manufacturer Matsushita has created a robotic hospital helper , named HOSPI, that helps deliver blood from patients to lab facilities. Also, the Aizu Central Hospital has recruited two (unknown) robots to help – one as a receptionist, and another to guide visitors around the hospital and carry their bags.

[Via Engadget ]



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The Chicago Police department runs into a few snags while showing off its latest bomb disposal robot . Moral of the story: always rehearse before going on camera!

Zou Renti creates a robotic copy of himself . Creepiness ensues.

Here's a video of the scariest rubics-cube solving robot you'll ever see!

How about a weed-killing robot ? Thanks to the University of Illinois, it might not be that far off.

This gives a new twist to the idea of a back-seat driver – how about a dashboard stuff teddy driver ? I wonder if Navirobo comes with glowing red eyes?

Lionrover – help perk up lazy lions.



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