510 Packbot

The 510 Packbot is yet another military robot from iRobot. It can locate traces of explosive objects, identify explosives, and disarm bombs. It can break into cars and operate in crime scenes, helping police as well as the armed forces. Traveling at 5.8 miles per hour, it is fast and is easily deployed and operated with a controller like one for a video-game. The Packbot can be equipped with an arm, a laser and a bright light. The Packbot is a great multi-purpose robot. Over 3,500 are already in use by military and civil defenses across the globe. Watch this neat video:  
Originally posted on February 4, 2012. 

210 Negotiator

The 210 Negotiator is a small simple robot that goes inside buildings ahead of the police to give them a safe look and provide situational awareness. It is used by first responders to keep the public safe. The 210 Negotiator is 25 inches long, 21 inches wide (with flippers) and 7.6 inches tall without a payload. It is a little slower than some robots, going only 3.1 miles per hour, but it's maneuverable and easily climbs stairs. Watch the Negotiator in action:  
Originally posted on February 4, 2012. 

310 SUGV

The 310 SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle) is portable, weighing 29 pounds without payloads. It will fit into a standard MOLLE pack. It is compact, measuring only 17.2 inches wide (with flippers) and 30 inches long (when flippers are extended). It can travel at speeds up to 6.2 miles per hour and climb 8 inch stairs. Because the 310 SUGV is controlled with a familiar game-style remote, soldiers will not have to train long to learn to control it. The 310 SUGV can operate 3280 feet (1000 meters) away from the controller. 
Originally posted on February 4, 2012. 

710 Warrior

The 710 Warrior is a large robot capable of many tasks. Its arm can lift up to 220 pounds. It can be extremely precise and pick up a bomb or other explosive without triggering the explosion. It can climb stairs, cross small gaps and pick up objects out of the ground if they aren’t buried entirely. It is controlled from a computer and can perform in hostile areas. Here are a couple of sweet videos.



Originally posted on February 2, 2012.

Bionic Handling Assistant Mimics Elephant Trunk

This marvel of engineering is absolutely awesome. These videos will give you a visual of how the bionic handling assistant really works. Festo mimicked an elephant trunk very well. It can extend its length, grip small objects, and bend in other directions by adding or taking away air from the different segments. Watch this sweet video!

Originally posted on January 28, 2012.

Robot Lawn Mower to the Rescue

This cool robot by Husqvarna quietly mows every area of the lawn in every sort of weather. With wire in the ground around the perimeter of the lawn, the Automower will use its computer brain to figure where to mow and where it already has. There are three models; the latest is the Automower Solar Hybrid. As you may have guessed, it uses solar energy to charge its battery when it's sunny, and plugs itself into the wall to get more power. Because it is electric, there are no fumes or smelly emissions. The technology for the blade is entirely different from other lawnmowers. It has a disk with 3 razor blades sticking out from it far from the edge of the mower. Here is a link to the company’s website:
 http://www.husqvarna.com/us/homeowner/products/robotic-mowers/husqvarna-robotic-mowers-for-homeowners/
Originally posted on January 28, 2012. 

Roomba Takes to the Carpets

The Roomba is a disk-shaped vacuuming robot made by iRobot. The latest version uses a touch screen and is called the Roomba 780. Other versions include the original, 530, and 700. The wall-sensing technology is impressive, as is the cliff-sensing technology that stops the robot from falling down stairs and off ledges. "It's time to let the robots do the dirty work." Here’s a video.

Originally posted on January 28, 2012. 

Scooba Conquers the Bathroom Floor

The Scooba like the Roomba is a cleaning robot made by iRobot. Unlike the Roomba, the Scooba is a floor scrubbing robot that works on sealed hardwood floor, linoleum, and tile. The most recent model is the Scooba 230. It’s cylindrical like the Roomba, but it's a lot taller and 6½ inches wide. Here’s the Scooba in action:
Originally posted on January 28, 2012.

Petman Prototype

This amazing humanoid walks so much like humans, it’s really astounding. Boston Dynamics builds robots that are strong and heavy-duty enough to help the nation’s armed forces on the battlefield. But later versions are planned to be put to use in the dangerous chemical handling industry having less humans at risk.  It took 2½ years to create this engineering marvel. This is pretty awesome!
Originally posted on January 28, 2012. 

Verro 500

The Verro 500 is a pool cleaning robot manufactured by iRobot Corp. An extension cord, a big battery, and a pressed on/off button is all it takes to have your pool clean with the Verro 500. As it drives around on treads at the bottom of your pool, the small pump takes in any small debris. Such as leaves, dirt, hair, thread, and even small acorns. Here's the video: 
Originally posted on January 21, 2012.

Looj 155

The Looj 155 isn’t usually what comes to mind when you think of robots. The Looj is a small tracked vehicle with a motor on the front that turns a shaft with plastic flaps and small brushes. You set the robot in the gutter after clearing a small space for it, then detach handle, which is the remote control, and start the robot. The shaft rotates quickly and the flaps and brushes throw the leaves out of the gutter. Using a garden hose you can rinse any muck off the Looj. 

Originally posted on January 21, 2012.

Air Penguin

Festo’s AirPenguin is a silver, autonomous, flying … PENGUIN. And we thought penguins couldn’t fly! These neat robots will fly around and explore the air space they are given. Three of them can explore the same area at a time and they will avoid bumping in to each other. Check them out. 

 

Here's a link to an AirPenguinPDF from the company website if you want to know more. 

Originally posted January 20, 2012.

Asimo

Asimo stands for Advanced Step in Innovative MObility. The prototype was revealed in 1996 after many years of research and experimentation by Honda. Asimo is a 130 cm (4 feet 3 in.) tall, white android, weighing in at 54 kg (119 pounds). The robot is capable of climbing stairs on two legs and running straight. Newer versions can run in circles and recognize people as well as dance.
Originally posted on January 16, 2012.

Cool Robots for Kids Becomes KoolRobots

After a year and a half at Google Sites, I’ve decided to move this blog to Blogger. Because robots appeal to more than just kids I have renamed this blog KoolRobots. I will be transferring many of my old posts here and adding new ones regularly. Welcome!

 Peter

R.I.P.

(Rust In Peace)