Robotics engineers with companies like Boston Dynamics have been hard at work on complex computer systems paired with motion sensors and gyroscopes to give their bipedal robots the stability they need to, well, be useful. But what if such robots didn’t need computers to help them remain upright? A new robot design called the Planar …
One trope shared among all the fictional depictions of a futuristic robot uprising is the idea that, because we’ve taught robots so much about how humans function, we essentially built an enemy that knows all of our weaknesses and, thus how to defeat us. Well, if humanity ever does find itself fighting a war against the machines, it …
The battle of the megabots just got a little more mega. What the world needs now is gladiator robots, so make room for Monkey King. For a couple of years, the geek world has been salivating over a potential battle to the death between a couple of metal monsters — California-based MegaBots’ Mark III and …
When it comes to fears of robots taking over the world, mental images inspired by Terminator immediately spring to mind. But if robots really were going to wage war against their creators some day, they wouldn’t be walking around with guns, would they? Thanks to Russia’s new military robot, a future filled with armed humanoid …
Have you ever experienced the dread of overhearing two people, speaking a language you don’t understand, begin laughing wildly? You just have to wonder what it is they’re talking about, and if it’s a joke at your expense. Heck, maybe you even check your teeth to make sure you aren’t walking around with half of …
It’s estimated that as much as 30% of the population has some degree of arachnophobia, making it one of the more common fears among humanity. It makes sense of course, given that spiders are creepy, unpredictable, and often very fast movers. Now, robotics researchers have built something that is even scarier. It’s a six-legged robot that …
Boston Dynamics makes a lot of weird stuff, and the videos showcasing the firm’s various creations have always struck fear into the hearts of anyone who anticipates robots one day enslaving humanity. If you’re one of those people, now would be a great time to look away, because Boston Dynamics just showed off a ultra …
Ever wish you had more than two hands? Sometimes carrying all your personal crap around every day is just too much for a person to put up with, or at least that’s the feeling that Piaggio is going for with its new cargo bot called Gita. Gita is a big round ball with wheels designed …
The future will feature a lot more pizza bots instead of pizza boys if London-based delivery robot maker Starship Technologies has anything to say about it. The robot-focused startup – founded in 2014 by Skype cofounders Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis – is on something of a tear at the moment, having just raised $17.2 …
There’s a very special Chinese “woman” who has become a bit of a celebrity over the past year or so, making public appearances and chatting with countless curious fans. Her name is Jia Jia, and she appeared at a prestigious economic event in Shanghai earlier today. She’s charming, poised, and adept at conversation. She can …
