Qviro, one of the leading robotics platforms, introduces a groundbreaking marketplace, offering unparalleled transparency and choice. Users can effortlessly compare the full robotics market and access a vast selection of 211 cobots.
The platform ensures transparent pricing, allowing buyers access to all cobot prices on Qviro. For added assistance, it provides an average cobot price of €27,158. Additionally, Qviro includes 400+ user reviews for informed decisions.
In the cobot category, Universal Robots leads with a 4.6 rating from over 41 user reviews. Their products excel in ease of use and integration, favored by engineers and enthusiasts.
For budget-conscious buyers, Elephant Robotics and Wlkata offer educational robots starting at $599. They provide cost-effective solutions for educational and hobbyist projects. Find Elephant Robotics‘ products at Elephant Robotics Products and Wlkata’s at Wlkata Products.
Sven De Donder, Co-CEO of Qviro, said, „Our user base in Europe and North America is growing exponentially due to unmatched transparency.“
Qviro transforms the robotics buying experience, offering an all-in-one solution for enthusiasts and professionals. With diverse options, transparent pricing, and a supportive user community, Qviro meets all your robotics needs.
About Qviro:
Qviro is a Belgium-based startup that is revolutionising the procurement process of industrial technology such as robots and machines through digitization. The company’s review platform, Qviro.com, provides factories and engineers with valuable insights and customer feedback to make confident purchasing decisions. At the same time, it offers vendors market intelligence and data to help them better understand their potential customers. As a SaaS platform, Qviro is dedicated to providing exceptional customer experiences and innovative solutions that drive growth and progress in the industry. To learn more about Qviro, visit www.Qviro.com.
After a series of successful Kickstarter Campaigns, Geek Club and CircuitMess launch their most ambitious project yet – a NASA-approved AI-powered scale model Replica of the Perseverance Space Rover
Zagreb, Croatia – October 31st, 2023. – Today, Geek Club and CircuitMess announced their Kickstarter space exploration campaign designed to teach children eleven and up about engineering, AI, and coding by assembling the iconic NASA Perseverance Space Rover, as well as a series of other NASA-inspired space vehicles.
This new space-themed line of DIY educational products was born out of both companies‘ shared vision to aim for the stars and to take their fans with them. The Kickstarter campaign starts today, October 31st, and will last for 35 days.
The collaboration was a logical union of the two companies. Both companies create educational STEM DIY kits that are targeted towards kids and adults. Both share the same mission: To make learning STEM skills easy and fun.
“For decades, the team and I have been crafting gadgets for geeks always inspired by space exploration,” says Nicolas Deladerrière, co-founder of Geek Club. “Inspired by Mars exploration, we’ve studied thousands of official documents and blueprints to craft an authentic Mars exploration experience. The product comes alive thanks to microchips, electromotors, and artificial intelligence. Imagine simulating your own Mars mission right from your desk!”
Geek Club is an American company that specializes in designing and producing DIY robotics kits that educate their users on soldering and electronics. They focus primarily on space exploration and robotics, all to make learning engineering skills easy and fun for kids, adults, and everyone in between.
“We have successfully delivered seven Kickstarter campaigns, raised more than 2.5 million dollars, and made hundreds of thousands of geeks all around the world extremely happy,” says Albert Gajšak, CEO of CircuitMess. “In a universe where space and technology are constantly growing, we’re here to ensure you’re never left behind.”
The new product line consists of five unique space-themed products:
1. The Perseverance Space Rover Kit
This kit is designed to be an educational journey into programming, electronics, robotics, and AI. The model comes with four electromotors, six wheels, a control system with a dual-core Espressif ESP32 processor, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, a sample collection arm based on the real thing with two servo motors, a Wi-Fi-connected remote controller, and support for programming in Python or via a Scratch-inspired drag-and-drop visual coding environment.
Alongside the Perseverance Space Rover, you’ll be able to get more iconic space vehicles:
2. The Voyager: A DIY kit made as a tribute to NASA’s longest-lasting mission, which has been beaming back data for an incredible 45 years and counting.
3. Juno: A solar-powered DIY kit celebrating the mission that gave us the most detailed and breathtaking images of Jupiter.
4. Discovery: A DIY kit honoring the legendary space shuttle with 39 successful orbital flights under its belt.
5. The Artemis Watch: A sleek, space-themed wrist gadget inspired by NASA’s upcoming Artemis space suit design. The watch is a programmable device equipped with an LCD display, Bluetooth, and a gyroscope.
The Perseverance Educational Space Rover Kit is available for pre-order now on Kickstarter, starting at $149.
No previous experience or knowledge is needed for assembling your very own space rover. The kit is designed for anyone aged 11+ and comes with detailed video instructions.
Bochum, October 16, 2023 – United Robotics Group (URG) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) have signed a licensing agreement as part of their newly concluded technology partnership. The agreement covers the distribution and further development of the KEVIN® laboratory robot, which will be manufactured and distributed by URG in the future. With this strategic step, URG is expanding its presence in the life science sector. In addition, both partners benefit from valuable synergies for the future-oriented automation of laboratories – the research and innovation expertise of Fraunhofer IPA optimally complements the robotics expertise of URG. The laboratory robot KEVIN® was developed by the Department of Laboratory Automation and Bioproduction Technology at Fraunhofer IPA and brought to prototype stage with first test customers worldwide. Under the umbrella of URG, KEVIN® will now go into series production. For this purpose, the company is acquiring a corresponding licence for the use and further development of the robot’s hardware and software.
From left to right:Andreas Traube, Head of Department Laboratory automation and bioproduction technology, Prof. Thomas Bauernhansl, Director of Fraunhofer IPA, Thomas Linkenheil, Co-CEO of URG, Sarah Ostertag, UX & Industrial Design Lead and Product Management and Tobias Brode, Head of Business Development Lab Automation SOURCE: FRAUNHOFER IPA/PHOTO: RAINER BEZ
We are pleased to be able to create new, promising perspectives for laboratory automation with our robotics solutions as part of the collaboration. This strengthens our presence in the life science sector – and enables us to effectively address societal challenges such as the shortage of skilled labour and demographic change,“ explains Thomas Linkenheil, Co-CEO of URG.
Mobile laboratory robot KEVIN® is an autonomous, mobile laboratory robot. It automates processes and can be flexibly and intuitively integrated into laboratory infrastructures. The robot takes over repetitive routine tasks. For example, it transports microtitre plates and racks in SBS format, such as samples or consumables for refilling. It can also supply systems with pipette tips. Using KEVIN® around the clock increases efficiency in the laboratory. Given the shortage of skilled workers, it is particularly important to reduce the workload of staff, allowing them to focus on value-added activities.
„With the new agreement, we have added a decisive boost to the further development and commersialisation of KEVIN®. Automation plays an important role in the life science sector. It enables laboratories to respond flexibly to different requirements. This makes it all the more important to jointly develop suitable solutions for this sector,“ says Thomas Bauernhansl, Director of the Fraunhofer IPA.
Increase in personnel for URG In the course of the technological partnership between Fraunhofer IPA and URG and the transfer of the licensing rights to KEVIN®, there will also be personnel changes. Sarah Ostertag and Tobias Brode will join the United Robotics Group. In the future, Sarah Ostertag will work as UX & Industrial Design Lead + Product Management and Tobias Brode as Head of Business Development Lab Automation at URG. Both will accompany KEVIN® from the initial idea to the market-ready series product and thus strengthen company’s expertise in the long term.
Soft robotics represents a groundbreaking advancement in the field, standing apart from the rigid structures people usually associate with traditional robotic systems. Learn more about recent advances in this field and the many benefits.
The Era of Soft Robots
Nature and biology heavily influence soft robots, giving them the flexibility and ability to adapt to their surroundings. For example, some commercially available soft robotic designs mimic fish, octopi and worms.
Innovative materials such as shape-memory alloys, dielectric elastomers and liquid crystal elastomers are critical to soft robotics. These materials change their properties in response to various stimuli. Grippers on soft robots, made of high-tech elastomers, mold to the target object’s shape. This flexibility ensures a gentler and more adaptable grip than rigid robots, making them ideal for tasks like fruit picking.
Soft robots also use self-healing materials made from shape-memory alloys. These alloys allow the robots to repair themselves after damage, increasing their operational life span and reducing maintenance needs.
As technology progresses, scientists outfit soft robots with sensory systems, enhancing their ability to understand their surroundings. For example, soft pressure sensors can tell a robot if it’s gripping too hard. Some researchers are even developing soft robots capable of working in swarms, emulating the behavior of fish, bees and birds.
3D printing, a form of advanced manufacturing, has revolutionized how scientists design and produce intricate soft robotic parts, driving innovation and accessibility in this sector. Some robots incorporate the strengths of both rigid and soft systems, resulting in hybrids that offer improved strength, precision and flexibility. Instead of traditional motors, there’s a growing trend towards fluidic actuation. Robots use liquids or air for movement, making their movements more natural.
Soft Robotics in Medicine
Robotics is revolutionizing various aspects of modern medicine. In rehabilitation and physiotherapy, soft robotic exosuits or exoskeletons support patients recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries or surgeries. These devices gently guide and assist patients, helping them regain motor functions, relearn movements and restore strength.
In assistive medical devices, soft wearable robots are emerging to help those with mobility issues. The Wyss Institute at Harvard University developed a soft, wearable robotic glove that assists individuals with hand disabilities in performing day-to-day activities. This glove, made from soft elastomers, can assist in gripping objects, potentially improving rehabilitation outcomes.
Scientists at the City University of Hong Kong developed a soft robot capable of maneuvering inside the stomach and intestine. The robot can change shape and size, facilitating better imaging and allowing localized drug delivery or biopsies.
A collaboration between Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University resulted in a soft robotic sleeve that surgeons can place around the heart. This device helps the heart pump more efficiently in patients with heart failure, providing a potential alternative to organ transplants.
In diagnostics, soft robots simplify procedures like endoscopy, making it less invasive and patient-friendly. Patients can now swallow endoscopy capsules equipped with a camera and a tissue collection mechanism to get the same results traditionally obtained by putting patients under general anesthesia.
Research teams at institutes like the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Italy have been working on developing soft robotic arms that can assist surgeons. Due to their soft and pliant design, these arms can navigate the body with minimal risk of damaging tissues or organs.
Soft Robotics in Marine Conservation
Equipped with sensors, soft robots can monitor water quality, track marine species and evaluate the health of habitats over prolonged periods. Their non-intrusive nature and versatility enable them to probe areas inaccessible to traditional robots. MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory developed a soft robotic fish named „SoFi“ that can swim naturally in the ocean, recording close-up videos of marine life and providing insights without alarming or disturbing the aquatic life.
Soft robots also offer the potential for marine clean-up efforts, such as removing pollutants like microplastics and oil spills. The WasteShark, developed by RanMarine Technology, is an ASV designed to „eat“ or collect trash in harbors and other waters close to the shore. This drone skims the water’s surface, collecting waste in its path, thereby aiding in marine clean-up.
The Ocean Exploration Trust’s E/V Nautilus expeditions have been using ROVs to explore and map uncharted coral reefs, helping scientists understand their structures, the species they harbor and their overall health. Similar soft robots can be deployed to plant sea grass and maintain coral reefs.
ROVs like the Hercules, also from the E/V Nautilus expedition, have robotic arms that can collect geological and biological samples from the deep sea that can help scientists study ecosystems in abyssal regions, leading to new species discoveries and insights into deep-sea conservation needs.
The Challenges Ahead
Soft robotics faces challenges, but its vast potential is undeniable. A primary focus lies in developing innovative materials that combine durability, flexibility and responsiveness. While traditional actuators, like motors, aren’t suitable for soft robots, alternatives like pneumatic and hydraulic systems are on the rise, promising unparalleled autonomy.
Manufacturing these robots at scale is now more feasible due to advanced construction techniques and materials. Even as these robots retain flexibility, integrating crucial rigid components, like batteries, is becoming smoother. The scientific community aims to enhance the response times of soft actuation mechanisms to match or exceed traditional systems.
Safety remains a top priority in soft robotics, especially in applications involving humans or medical scenarios. Although the field recognizes the higher initial research and production costs, they believe ongoing advancements will reduce expenses.
Guest article by Ellie Gabel. Ellie is a writer living in Raleigh, NC. She's passionate about keeping up with the latest innovations in tech and science. She also works as an associate editor for Revolutionized.
Adelaide, Australia – September, 2023 – The new Ortomi Generation 4 has been released on Kickstarter, and they’re simple, comforting and interactive little friends, designed to make people smile. They’re a creation from Ortomi, a small Australian start-up on a mission to capture the joy and comforting presence of real pets.
An Ortomi has a simple face that changes with different expressions and moods – both randomly and interactively. They respond to gestures such as being petted, prodded and picked-up; and respond differently based on their mood – such as when they are happy, sad, asleep, angry or bored. As well as now making cute beeps and boops (with a silent mode), the new Generation 4 has a larger screen, more expressions, moods & interactions, and a smooth injection moulded shell – benefitting both aesthetics and manufacturability.
The Kickstarter launched on August 29th, and met its goal of AU$23,000 in under 10 hours. It currently sits at AU$46,000, as people continue to rally behind project and help fund subsequent stretch goals:
1. AU$50,000 Custom Expression Creator:
Users will be able to draw, share and browse custom expressions that they can teach their Ortomi.
2. AU$70,000 Silicone Cases:
Squishy, silicone, key-ring cases will be developed and produced, improving the portability and personalisation options of Ortomi, as well as adding a satisfying tactile feel.
3. AU$100,000 Interactions between Ortomi:
Wireless capability will be developed for Ortomi to interact with each other, enabling everything from cute reactions to complex relationships.
As well as being completely portable with a 20hr battery life, Ortomi are set apart from other robots on the market by their personalisation. Like dogs, or goldfish – Ortomi are a whole species, and each one is meant to be unique. They come in many different colours, with different accessories, have different personalities, and are usually even given their own name by their owner.
The Ortomi 4 is set to ship in November 2023, and is set to mark a new chapter for the young Australian company in terms of scale and impact.
This sophisticated robotic toy is created remarkably to follow lines seamlessly. For kids above 10 years, the Kosmos Line-Follow Robot provides an exciting chance to construct their robot and experience its remarkable line-following skills firsthand. Different branches of science, including physics and mathematics, are all brought together in one convenient experiment kit. Let’s investigate what makes this fascinating instructional tool so effective.
Simplifying Robotics
The Kosmos Line-Follow Robot is an attempt to simplify the complex field of robotics so that it may be understood by and appealing to young people. Despite the common perception that robots are too complicated or only useful for highly specialised tasks, it is crucial to learn the basics of robotics as these devices become increasingly commonplace in everyday life. Involving yourself with the Kosmos Line-Follow Robot is an excellent way for students to get their feet wet in the fascinating field of robotics.
Applied Physics and Logical Thinking
Students need a foundation in physics and the ability to think critically to control the line-follow robot properly. Students may learn the basics of simple circuits using the Kosmos robot’s helpful visual representations. Through hands-on assembly, students create a flow of electricity between electrical components, guaranteeing the vehicle’s functionality and conformity with input and line specifications. This method improves one’s capacity to comprehend logic and circuits.
Line Following and Steering
The robot’s fundamental goal is always the same: it must follow a black line, either one that has been physically put out or one that has been painted on a surface. . The Kosmos Line-Follow Robot shows how robots may independently traverse their environment with the help of sensors.
Components and Reusability
Electrical components with cables, motors, wheels, tires, printed robot decorations, and in-depth instructions are all included in the Kosmos experiment kit. The kit’s target audience was children in grades 4 through 8, however, it may be used with any age group for demonstration. After the first construction is complete, the robot may be used as a helpful teaching tool in physics classes, concretizing theoretical concepts about circuits. The fact that the robot can be assembled and disassembled several times means it may serve as a durable and adaptable teaching tool.
Learning Outcomes
During its construction, the Kosmos Line-Follow Robot relied heavily on principles of physics and mechanics, two fields that are deeply intertwined. Students may learn how to operate the robot by following detailed instructions that walk them through each procedure. Students learn important information that may be used in the classroom and built upon in other ways, such as via experimentation and independent study.
Hands-On Experience and Practical Understanding
The line-following robot facilitates experiential learning and real-world comprehension via the use of a potentiometer for detecting electrical resistance and LEDs for providing visual feedback. By taking the robot apart and putting it back together, students may better understand the interdependencies between its parts. The robot’s behaviour can be changed by tinkering with the black line, opening the door to experimentation and a deeper knowledge of cause and effect.
Conclusion
The Kosmos Line-Follow Robot is an excellent approach to introduce children to robotics. This teaching aid gives students a firm footing on which to explore the potential of robotics by giving them hands-on experience, encouraging logical thought, and incorporating fundamental principles from physics and mechanics. The Kosmos Line-Follow Robot sets the path for the next generation of robotics experts by arousing their natural curiosities, encouraging them to try new things.
The presence of robots in our modern environment is getting increasingly casual to see. Robots are progressing rapidly in terms of both their capabilities and the potential uses they have. Examples of this include self-driving automobiles and drones. The VariAnt, a robot created by Variobot, is another amazing example.
VariAnt: At the First Glance
VariAnt, a robot ant, moves and acts almost exactly like its biological model. It independently explores its environment using a sensor system to detect obstructions or markers. The Variobot programmable kit is appropriate for researchers who are passionate and young at heart.
Advanced Autonomy
Like the majority of living things, the variAnt adjusts to the surroundings by detecting relative brightness. Using a network of patented sensors is made feasible. The autonomous robot ant has light sensors connected to its body, legs, antennae, and jaw claws that can be positioned as needed.
A processor is housed on an Arduino-compatible nano board, which serves as the ant robot’s central processing unit (CPU). The small control unit provides connections for two motors, 12 analog sensors, 8 digital I/Os, 2 programmed buttons, 2 reed switches for step numbers, that may be used in any way, and 15 status LEDs that can be plugged in and switched as needed.
The state of the sensors, motors, and reed switches may all be indicated by the LEDs. Inside the ant’s head is a tiny circuit board that is equipped with plug-in ports, which enables the flexible combination and extension of environmental sensors.
The lithium-ion battery that comes standard with the variAnt has a run time of around 3 hours and can be recharged using the provided USB cord.
The Walking Mechanism
The robotic ant makes use of these to identify objects, lines, light sources, or shadows in its surroundings, and then either follows them or stays away from them in an intentional manner.
The purpose of the walking mechanism that was created and patented by Variobot is to mimic the natural mobility of an ant as closely as possible. This is doable with only 24 different components made of acrylic.
VariAnt: Best for
For individuals of all ages, the robot ant is also an engaging and entertaining toy. You can use this set to design your own robot to behave, move, and appear like an actual, but much bigger, ant. The robot is an interesting thing to watch due to its distinct motions and behaviors, and due to its size, it can be used in a number of scenarios. The variAnt kit costs around €199.
Conclusion
The VariAnt might revolutionize robotics and our understanding of nature. Since it mimics ants, the VariAnt can perform many tasks that conventional robots cannot. Whether employed for research, environmental monitoring, or as a toy, the VariAnt is a groundbreaking robotics innovation that will captivate people worldwide.
