Check out lots of different robots!
Everybody needs a robot. To clean the house, to educate the kids, to entertain guests... Come on people, it's the 21st century!
This Squidoo lens features a large number of interesting robots that you can check out. From simple robots to extremely complex robots; from useful robots to silly, funny robots; from humanoid robots to dog robots to insect robots to just plain weird robots. Welcome to this happy corner of robot heaven!
Robots are taking over the world...
...or so it seems!
Once mere curiosities, with the rapid advance of technology robots have begun to appear everywhere and anywhere. And some of them are really cool! They'll clean your carpet, keep an eye on your home or business, substitute for a pet, educate the kids and even interact with various emotions: singing, dancing and telling jokes.
Robots today come in many shapes and sizes. And they also have many names. Whether you call them robots, androids, mechanical men, automatons, cybernetic creatures, artificial agents, or synthetic sentients, people have long been fascinated by these ingenius creations. Some robots are humanoid in appearance, others look like animals or insects, others are entirely strange. Most try to mimic at least one of four human attributes: mobility, utility, appearance, intelligence.
On this page you'll see a large variety of cool robots, and some are really fascinating! Finally science fiction has become scientific fact! I hope you enjoy my Squidoo page!
Robots, robots, and more robots!
Here they come...
OWI Robotic Arm Edge
Construct your own DIY robot arm! A great educational robot kit, the OWI Robotic Arm Edge is a highly rated and affordable robot arm that you build and can program with additional software. Teach your robot to write, paint, or conduct a symphony!
Irobot Roomba 562/563 Pet Series Vacuum Cleaning Robot
Vacuum Cleaning Robots have been around for many years now and have become among the most popular practical robots in the world. There are many models to choose from and compared to expensive vacuum cleaners they're fairly affordable. Roombas are examples of the low-visibility convenience a robot can provide. It continues to clean the carpet and floors night and day, while you're home or away, and you hardly ever notice.
Mint Automatic Hard Floor Cleaner, 4200
This is one of the most popular robots sold on Amazon.com. It will keep your hard floor surfaces scrubbed and clean, and you won't suffer from an aching back or raw hands! Floor cleaning robots have become the first popular, truly useful robots in the home. After many generations of development they've become both reliable and cost-effective.
...and more robots...
Check 'em out!
Genibo QD Robot Dog - Blue / Violet
If you've got a couple thousand bucks to burn, here's the ultimate pet robot. The Genibo QD Robot Dog is a complex interactive learning mechanism; it can recognize faces, voices and touch. It is capable of around 700 emotional reactions! This robot is so close to being a real dog, with its realistic movements and behavior, you might never miss having an actual warm furry canine pal. No walking in the rain and no potty training!
Tekno the Robotic Puppy - Silver
Here's a robotic pooch that's a little more affordable! Tekno the Robotic Puppy performs various cute tricks activated by several sensors. Tekno's behaviors evolve with time as he progresses from puppyhood to doghood. He expresses emotions and can fetch a ball. He's a load of fun, especially for young kids!
WowWee Tribot Talking Companion
If you'd rather be entertained by a tiny humanoid robot, the WowWee Tribot is the robot for you. He has numerous sensors and behaviors and is funny, playing games and telling sarcastic jokes. With numerous five star ratings, the Talking Companion is one of the most liked robots found at Amazon.com, and is sure to be a hit with the younger set.
Star Wars Interactive R2D2 Astromech Droid Robot
Star Wars fans need this great R2D2 droid robot! Not only does R2 provide an authentic recreation of Star Wars recorded messages and behavior, that includes his characteristic beeps and blinking lights, but he'll follow various commands, including bringing your favorite beverage! He dances, plays hide-and-seek, and much more! Dedicated Star Wars collectors need this classic George Lucas favorite: a loveable droid realistically recreated!
Even more robots...
They're everywhere!
WowWee Robotics Roboquad
This strange spider-like robot would look super cool prowling about your house! With great mobility and awareness of its surroundings, the Roboquad has several different selectable personalities: it can be angry, inquisitive, shy... Its artificial intelligence is more advanced than most similar home robots, and will endlessly fascinate family and friends. It has high quality sensors for sound, light, plus infra red!
Tomy I-SOBOT Robot
This little robot is amazingly sophisticated and very human-like in its movement. It walks very naturally on two feet, can do somersalts and other gymnastics, sings, has a large vocabulary, reacts to voice commands, and offers hours of great entertainment. This extremely complex robot was conceived in Japan, where the development of robots is highly advanced. For this reason, the I-SOBOT is also both durable and reliable.
Erector Spykee - The Spy Robot
Keep an eye on your home when you're away at work or on vacation! The Spykee is equipped with WiFi, a webcam, a microphone, a speaker and a light. Move it about the rooms in your house; monitor your pets and say hello to them remotely; hear a suspicious noise, track a burglar down, record his image, and frighten him away when you tell him you've called the police! How cool is this useful contraption! Not only is it fun to use, but it will provide peace of mind.
LEGO Mindstorms NXT
Here it is, the classic, best-selling LEGO Mindstorms robot building kit! If it's from LEGO, you know it's gotta be great! What more needs to be said? Click the link and check it out in detail!
The rapid advance of computer intelligence.
Robots might one day equal or surpass human intelligence!
With the rapid development of computer technology, it has become probable that one day, perhaps soon, machine intelligence will match that of humans. Programmed with this hypothetical "Strong AI", robots will finally match humans in problem-solving, creativity and general intelligence.
But will robots in the future be programmed to have human emotions and instincts, which are written in our genes? Would this provide them with any advantage? Will they ever become self-aware and have human-like consciousness? These important questions are in dispute.
The advancements in tech are so rapid that many claim the human brain will become "obsolete" within a decade!
Looking into the distant future... - what do you see?
Technology is advancing at an incredible pace. One hundred years ago (that's one long lifetime) primitive automobiles and airplanes had just been invented. People back then couldn't possibly imagine the advances we enjoy today . .. in computers, medicine, and of course, robotics! What will the world be like in another hundred years? Will robot intelligence surpass human intelligence? Will robots serve humans, or will things go terribly wrong ... causing humans to serve robots? Will humans become half-robot cyborgs? Is the future bright or ominous?
It's a robot invasion!
How cool are these?
Hexbug Nano - Random Color
This cool little bug isn't a typical robot. It's a skittering, unstoppable phenomenon! Put it down and it zooms this way and that, like a real bug. The Hexbug Nano's clever design is based on real insects. When it hits a wall or odd bump, it changes direction; and when it flips over, it pops back up on its feet. Something so incredibly simple (and inexpensive) can provide hours and hours of entertainment!
Tekno Mega Mech R/C Robot 48-Inch
Check out this HUGE robot! Wow! How'd you like to have this mega robot standing guard in your home! Sure to be a hit will all the kids in the neighborhood, the Mega Mech Robot is inflatable and moves about in ominous robot fashion. It's radio controlled, and it talks! Make this thing cruise down the sidewalk and watch crowds gather! Any mecha or transformers or sci fi fanatic needs this cool monster-sized robot!
OWI Kabuto Mushi Robot Kit
Here's another great (and inexpensive) robot kit. Winner of Top Toy of The Year Award winner in 2007, the OWI Kabuto Mushi Robot Kit is is an infrared remote controlled robot with caterpillar traction. It makes a great example of robotics for classroom instruction, or for the kids at home. Build this cool robot and watch it perform!
Everybody needs a robot!
Life should be fun!
WowWee Roboreptile Robotic Reptile
Here's one of my favorite robots! This dinosaur robot will attack you! (Or your pet!) With a wildly slashing tail and lunging, biting teeth, this raptor robot will come at your feet hungrily--and it's fast! Watch out! This reptile robot has infrared vision and sonic sensors, and when it's in free roam mode it behaves like a prehistoric hunter, roaming your house, seeking helpless prey. Perhaps this is the first version of future terminator robots!
4M Tin Can Robot
Turn a soda can into a silly googly-eyed moving robot! Neato! Great for activating anyone's imagination. A great gag gift, or gift for any science enthusiast.
Revell Vexplorer Robotics System
A way cool robot building kit with robotic arm, camera and microphone that transmits to your TV, and over 300 parts. It won the Best Innovation Award at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show and is endorsed by NASA! What more needs to be said! You can create endless robot combinations with this sophisticated kit and never grow bored. For intermediate to advanced robot builders. Any serious robot lover needs this awesome kit!
Why not build your own robot?
Anybody can do it!
Have you ever watched features about students building robots, or robot competitions, and thought it was really cool?
If so, why don't you build your own robot? You don't have to be a nerd or some kind of genius! All you need are some written instructions!
Robot building is a fascinating hobby that teaches engineering, electronics, programming and logic, and encourages and rewards creativity. You can design and test "fighting" robots, robots that interact with you, your environment or other robots, or robots that serve some practical function. It's a fun project that you can work on at your convenience, and for as long as you'd like. There's no right way to build a robot!
Here are some books that can help you build own cool robot...
Build your own robot!
Here are some great books to check out if you'd like to build your own robot!
Robot Building for Beginners (Technology in Action)
If like me you're not an engineering genius, this book might be quite helpful!
Robot Builder's Sourcebook : Over 2,500 Sources for Robot Parts
You'll need parts and electronics. Here's your sourcebook!
Robots, Androids and Animatrons, Second Edition : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build
Check out a whole universe of intriguing mechanical contraptions! Great reading!
Perhaps others would benefit from you experiences or advice when it comes to buying or building robots!