Robots

VIDEO: BigDog makers reveal PetMan

The makers of BigDog have unveiled PetMan, a biped robotic that could be used to test military suits that might one day protect soldiers in chemical warfare.

Boston Dynamics describes the machine as a "biped robot that balances dynamically using a human-like walking...

VIDEO: Robot rides a tandem bike

An American cyclist has created a cycling robot that gives him extra pedal power. "Joules", a human-proportioned robot, helps power the cycle along with an electric motor.

More whimsical than just going down the electric bike route, Joules, complete with cycle...

VIDEO: KDDI's futuristic phone-bot concept revealed

"Phone meets robot" is the title of this concept vision from Japanese operator KDDI showing off the "Polaris" handset of the future. Hit play to see its vision of what we can expect from our robotic phones in times to come...

VIDEO: Rovio Wi-Fi Robot now available from Firebox

Firebox has announced that it's now selling Rovio's Wi-Fi robot. The toy comes with full Wi-Fi functionality and can be controlled with any computer, laptop, smartphone or PDA in the world, as long as it has a web connection.

It also contains a built-in camera,...

iRobot Roomba 500 series announced for Europe

The iRobot Roomba 500 series vacuum cleaning robots have been announced for a European launch from October 2009.

The iRobot Roomba 500 series range comprises of four vacuum cleaning robots - the 520, 555, 563 and 581 - and will be priced from £250.

US Army wants "throwable" robots

The US Army Marines have decided that the future of modern warfare lies in robots you can throw. Not at the heads of would-be terrorists - at the ground in their general direction for reconnaissance purposes.

The army's set a target of under 10lbs for each...

VIDEO: This robot will run you down

The days of seeing a robot as something slow and methodical that you can outrun are soon to be over.

A video fromToyota R&D show its latest robot offering resisting a push and running you down at 7 kilometers per hour - that's 100m in just under a minute.

VIDEO: Arduino-based eyebrow hat developed

You may or may not be familiar with Arduino - the open-source microcomputer that lets you use a basic programming language to control electronic circuits.

If you're not, that last sentence probably went whooshing over your head, so click play on the video above...

VIDEO: iPhone robot revealed

This home-made robot, that boasts an iPhone for a head and brain, can function as an alarm clock, dance and wave spring onions. Hit play for more.

Gordon Gekko: The ultimate geek?

Is Gordon Gekko from Wall Street the ultimate geek? I mean he might not have Iron Man calibre credentials complete with gadget suit, but he isn't a superhero either, it seems he is just a man who likes his toys.

Lets look at the facts.

Set in 1985,...

VIDEO: Disney makes Obama-bot

We thought we'd give the nod to the US' 4th July celebrations with the news that Disney has made a robotic Barack Obama president to appear in the Hall of Presidents show at the Walt Disney World Resort. Due to be unveiled on the American holiday, hit play now to see the...

VIDEO: MyDeskFriend - Creepy web-controlled robo-penguin

A company called Arimaz has launched a tiny robot penguin that sits on your desk, pootles around a bit, and - more impressively - interacts with Facebook.

The eyes change colours to convey its mood, but if the video above is anything to go by, then it seems...

Murata Girl - robot unicyclist

Murata Corporation, which normally makes capacitors, sensors and communication modules for circuits, has decided that the best use of its time is to build a unicycling robot.

After seeing the adorable thing, we couldn't disagree. Murata Girl is an adept balancer,...

IWOOT offers 6-in-1 Solar Robot Kit

If robots take over the world, they won't use traditional fuel - they'll be solar powered. Thanks to global warming, they shouldn't have trouble keeping themselves juiced up.

We're not completely sure if this kit isn't the beginnings of that robotic rebellion,...

VIDEO: Megawhat meets Mr. Asahi

We're not sure why Duncan is in a tie, but that beer robot bar keep Mr Asahi is pouring in the video looks damn refreshing.

The cheeky looking robot, who took eight men 200 hours to build, will crack open a bottle of beer in under 10 seconds making him a sure...

Pleo resurrected by manufacturer Jetta

In a scene straight out of "Jurassic Park", Dinosaur robot Pleo has been brought back from extinction after the company behind it, Ugobe, filed for bankruptcy.

Former manufacturer Jetta acquired the intellectual property rights and other assets in the bankruptcy...

VIDEO: Mr Asahi real-life robotic barman revealed

Sure, it's blatant advertising, but we're suckers for a good robot and, as robots go, Mr Asahi ranks pretty high in our book, if only for his beer serving skills.

The robotic barman can serve beer as draught pints, half pints and de-cap bottles of beer, with...

RiSE V3 pole climbing robot developed by Boston Dynamics

The University of Pennsylvania's Kod*lab robotics department and Boston Dynamics (the folk behind the brilliant Big Dog) have teamed up to create a pole climbing robot, the results of which you can see in the video above.

RiSE V3 can climb any pole, tree or...

Pleo-maker Ugobe files for bankruptcy

It appears that Pleo, the cute baby dino-robot, may soon be extinct following the news that the company that makes the toy has gone bust.

Ugobe has closed its offices, dismissed its workers and filed for liquidation of its assets under federal bankruptcy law...

IWOOT offers Hexbugs

IWOOT is offering some colourful little critters as new "desktop friends".

The Hexbugs are dinky robots for your desk that, thanks to their sound and object sensors, dodge obstacles and run away from loud noises.

Apparently thanks to a tiny microprocessor...

Robot USB flash drive launches

We've seen a fair few robot-shaped flash drives in our time, but this one is a particularly nice effort.

A retro-styled robot with a chrome-type finish, your new robot buddy will store up to 4GB of data.

Measuring 75mm tall, the dinky device can...

VIDEO: Spykee Cell and Spykee Vox robots

Announced over a year ago at CES in Las Vegas, Meccano has finally got around to launching the Spykee Cell and Spykee Vox here in the UK and Pocket-lint managed to get a hands on with them at the London Toy Fair.

Expected on toy store shelves in the next couple...

VIDEO: LeapFrog My Pal Scout

...But then Scout only costs £20.

A green dog/bear thing, he plays music, has games and also works as a night light with a glowing collar.

Hit play now to see Stuart demo what you're getting your favourite niece/nephew/godchild for their next...

ViDEO: Prime-8 robot

Prime-8 might be the oddest robo-toy you've ever seen. The slightly sinister-looking droid has the claim of being the fastest such device. Hit play now see it in action.

Girls get their own robot: Penbo the Pengiun

While most robots are mischievous things, Bossa Nova has developed a cute pink penguin aimed at appealing to girls rather than boys looking to destroy everything in their path.

A cross between a doll that needs caring for and kids favourite Pengu, Penbo (see...