Archiv der Kategorie: Hardware

Drone or Rover – New System Lets You Decide

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Rocketship Systems Inc. releases BoxBotix, a new 3D printable robotics system that supports multiple configurations, including copter, plane and rover.

BoxBotix is an open source, modular robotics framework that is designed to be easy to hack, make, use and sustain. BoxBotix is the creation of Rocketship Systems Inc., a small robotics company in Fort Collins, CO.

“We run a small shop that machines robot parts, and we get a lot of calls from customers who have a new sensor or technology they want to test, but no robot to put them on,” says Coby Leuschke, President of Rocketship Systems. So for the last two years they have been designing and testing a new system to meet these needs. BoxBotix is the result.

Leuschke continues, “We have seen many different drone and robot systems emerge in the last year that try to meet the demands of a growing industry, but most are mass produced and difficult to customize. We wanted to create a system that allows people to move the design, build, maintenance cycle closer to the point of use, so they can control their own robot destiny. ” In order to meet these requirements BoxBotix has been designed to be built using desktop 3D printing and readily available parts and tools. Garrett Day, Rocketship Systems Lead Engineer adds, “We are releasing all of our design files under an open source license, so we can provide people the opportunity to modify the design to meet their specific needs, and help improve the overall design.”

The initial release of BoxBotix will feature robots, called BBots, which include the BBCopter, BBPlane and BBRover. Rocketship Systems will provide kits in two versions: A Bring Your Own Printer Kit, where they will provide everything needed to build a frame, excluding the printed parts, and they will also provide a Full Frame Kit that will include everything required to build the frame.

“BoxBotix is not about Rocketship Systems building a million robots. BoxBotix is about enabling a community of a million people to build their own robots,“ Leuschke concludes.

In order to fund the creation and growth of a strong open source community BoxBotix has taken to Kickstarter. To follow their project, be sure to find them on Twitter , Facebook or YouTube, and spread the word to your social media networks. Consider donating as little as $1 to help their project come to life. If you decide to donate more, you can be among the first in the world to build a BBot.

A Cute Robot That Dares to Fight: Self-balancing Robot “Gemini” Launches Kickstarter Campaign

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Gemini, a waterdrop-shaped, two-wheel, self-balancing robot with two distinct personalities, will accommodate consumers’ leisure needs more than ever before. The Gemini Kickstarter campaign launches on November 10th, 2015.

After the wild success of Makeblock, an educational robot kit series targeting makers and educators, the Shenzhen-based hardware startup Shenzhen Maker Works Technology Co., Ltd expanded its reach and designed the user-friendly smart robot Gemini, which requires no programming knowledge or assembling efforts on users’ behalf.

While standing, Gemini moves like a cute puppy, spreading joy via iridescent LED lights and flashing emoticons, and dancing to music at your command. When Gemini is equipped with a turret and crouches down, however, the robot transforms into a fearless warrior who is ready to combat.

The key to Gemini’s accurate signaling and angular actions lies in the self-balancing technology. With one MPU-6050 3-Axis Accelerometer and Gyro working with STM32 MCU, through real-time analysis of related state parameters, Gemini can minimize the displacement both vertically and horizontally, in a timely manner, and control the angular offset with the utmost accuracy, remaining level with ease.

 

Additional Features:

 

Stable Movement

The waterdrop-shaped, two-wheel, streamlined structure, empowered by the dual encoder motors with high resolution, ensures Gemini’s extraordinary agility and mobility.

 

Innovative Control Systems

Based on the free iPad app, the robot can perform complex motions and tasks with tap-and-swipe finger movements, tilting techniques (gravity control), and voice control.

 

Fluent Intercommunication

Together, the 2.4G and Wi-Fi modules offer seamless and timely communication, instantly transmitting and updating all parties’ data throughout the game.

 

High-Sensitivity LED Blue Light

Inheriting the signature Makeblock blue LED lighting, Gemini improves the transmission efficiency and undermines unstable performance from the reflection of the sun, which is often encountered by IR light-enabled devices. Overall, Gemini offers users an enhanced interactive experience.

 

Starting at USD $99.00, the team provides different bundles for buyers. “Our mission is to make an ‘Apple product’ for consumer robot kits,” says the founder and robot hobbyist Jasen Wang.

 

See Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1818505613/gemini-entertainment-and-educational-robot-for-kid

PHIRO: A LEGO® compatible robot for all kids. Learn to Code in 5 ways.

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Cambridge, MA, November 2nd, 2015- Robotics Education Startup Robotix USA, LLC, lead by two sisters, Deepti Suchindran and Aditi Prasad, with a mission to inspire the innovators of tomorrow, announced today it is raising funds via a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to develop coding toys for kids, that makes learning to code fun and easy. The company set out to raise funds on Kickstarter to produce the first batch of their innovative robots, Phiro, that is going to change the educational robotics market. (Phiro on Kickstarter is selected as a Kickstarter ‘Staff Pick’. Link to Kickstarter http://kck.st/1SjqW7H)

Robotix has many years of experience teaching coding and robotics to several K-12 schools. They have evaluated educational robots from all over the world and found gaps. The robots are usually expensive, use proprietary programming languages and are not so fun for kids. Robotix has created Phiro, an affordable robotics & coding toy that helps kids learn to code and develop computational thinking skills. Kids can learn to code in 5 ways, either without a computer or with open-source programming languages that millions of kids use and love. Phiro is a LEGO® compatible robotics toy that kids can play, code & innovate with to develop 21st century skills.

“In today’s technology-driven and rapidly changing world, being computational thinkers to solve problems is an essential skill for children to learn. Computational thinking is a critical 21st century skill that is relevant to all fields from economics, sports, medicine, law, and engineering. Research shows that one of the most effective ways for kids, as young as 4, to learn computational thinking is through coding and robotics”- said Deepti Suchindran, PhD, CEO, Robotix USA.

“With Phiro children get to see the practical application of programmes they have created instantaneously”- said Dr. Wolfgang Slany, Professor of Computer Science & Head of the Institute for Software Technology, Graz University of Technology, Austria.

With Phiro, kids can play music, make a movie, create games, flash lights, detect faces and much more. Coding and playing with Phiro empowers and inspires kids to be creators and innovators of tomorrow.  Robotix has created two robots: Phiro Unplugged & Phiro Pro. Both robots come fully assembled and are ready to learn from & play with, right out of the box.

Phiro Unplugged for kids ages 4 to 8. Kids can learn to code & program the robot without a computer! Phiro Unplugged is a great robotic tool to learn Sequential programming and Binary Coding.

Phiro Pro for young people ages 9 to 18. Kids can program Phiro Pro with a computer, tablet or smartphone connected wirelessly via Bluetooth to Scratch 2.0 (MIT, USA), Snap4Arduino (UC Berkeley/Citilab, Spain), Pocket Code mobile apps (Graz University of Technology, Austria). Learners can connect to a community on-line enabling collaboration, sharing & learning. Phiro Pro also has all the capabilities of Phiro Unplugged.

“In one package Phiro does what a whole lot of other systems do individually so it really helps to bring all those together … and make it more cost effective for the classroom”- said Daniel Riles, Technology Integration Specialist, Brookwood School, Boston, USA.

Robotix has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to manufacture the robots for the global market, which will be ready for Kickstarter supporters in the 2nd quarter of 2016 with special Kickstarter launch prices at $99 (Phiro Unplugged) and $149 (Phiro Pro) during the campaign. Crowdfunding and detailed features of Phiro Unplugged and Phiro Pro can be found here:  www.robotixedu.com and on our Twitter at twitter.com/RobotixLS and Facebook at facebook.com/robotixedu

Personal Intelligent Robots with Android Phone and LEGO

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ELFi Robotics startup by Google Science Fair finalist Mark Drobnych is now on Kickstarter

 

28 of October 2015 – New startup ELFi Robotics based in Ukraine announced today that it is raising funds via  rewards crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to finish the development of their revolutionary Android apps for robotic applications. The company set out to raise £33,000 on KickStarter to finish development of innovative software platform for DIY smart robots built with wide-accessible construction sets of Lego, Tetrix, Arduino and Raspberry Pi .

ELFi Robotics offers a Minimal Viable Product – Robotic Platform for learning and building intelligent robots. This platform comprises of: Brain App for Android (iOS soon), Robots, Platform Tools, RoboMarket, Training program.

ELFi Brain App is a robotic brain which can be installed on Android device and connected to LEGO EV3, Arduino or Raspberry Pi controllers. So any LEGO Robot can receive its missed brain from now on!

ELFi Educational Program covers both hardware and software aspects required to understand basics of robotics. Both aspects start from very simple patterns and don’t assume any previous experience in robotics. ELFi Robotics WorkBook and Building Instructions Book by Mark allow a quick start for any beginner.

The powerful concept of RoboMarket and “Robotics for programmers”  book allows third-party developers to write applications for ELFi Robots and even sell them.

According to Mark Drobnych, 15 years old CEO of ELFi robotics: “Our main target is to provide robots to everybody. Nowadays, real robots are really expensive and rare. I think it’s time to enter  the new era of technologies. Build your own robot, with own design, and own set of functions! Our Brain app and platform are flexible enough to support new robotics ventures.”

The story begun two years ago when 13-years old Mark Drobnych worked on his personal scientific research: School Presentation of  Microscope. The results of this work were presented at the Final of Google Science Fair 2014 in Mountain View, California. As functions of microscope started being more complex Mark had an idea to create an universal Robotic Brain on top of Android operating system. This Brain had to create human-friendly spoken interface not only for his Presentation of Microscope but for ANY ROBOTIC BODY built with Lego, Arduino, Tetrix or Raspberry Pi parts. It was ELFi birth.

To enforce his progress on software part Mark involved his dad, Oleksiy Drobnych, PhD, into the project as an experienced software engineer.

In the UK Mark is represented by Androcommerce Ltd., registered in England family firm focusing on mobile e-commerce offering.

Meet OhBot, a “human” robot for children

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A London inventor has created an educational robot that kids can use to boss around their parents.

Mat Walker, and his business partner Dan Warner, have together developed OhBot, a talking robot head that can be programmed to follow simple instructions. The educational robot was created in the top room of Walker’s house in Hornsey, north London. And now the invention is set to be sold worldwide.
Primary school kids as young as seven can teach Ohbot to tell their parents to “Go and tidy your room”, “To eat up your broccoli” or to “switch the telly off at once!”

Mat Walker, a roboticist, said: “Ohbot is a brilliant way to teach kids the skill of coding – what parents used to call ‘computer programming’. Most children find programming Ohbot really easy to pick up. They’re much better at this sort of thing than their parents.

“Ohbot can do so many things. It can talk, move its head, smile and frown. You can program its eyes to follow you around the room.

“Ohbot is great for children of all ages from about six. It appeals as much to girls as to boys.

“But what kids like the most is the way it talks. You tell it what to say and its lips synchronise automatically with the words you’ve given it. I’ve seen so many children make Ohbot tell their parents to behave!”

Co-creator Dan Warner added: “Kids love accessorising Ohbot. You can make some hair out of pipecleaners, stick a hat on it, give it a pair of cool sunglasses.”

Ohbot is different from previous educational robots because it’s in “human” form, rather than “turtle shaped” like the vast majority of robots that have been in schools since the 1960s.
Walker says: “Turtles are fine. But why shouldn’t children create and invent using a robot that looks just like them?”

Unlike most of those old-fashioned robots, Ohbot can talk, display emotions, act, react and solve real world problems.

It can be programmed to teach spellings or maths, ask questions and record the answers, even lead a cookery demonstration! You simply plug Ohbot into a PC computer and it’s ready to be programmed. Until now, Walker and Warner, from Stroud in Gloucestershire, have been taking their invention around schools.

But this month (17 Oct) they have released it on sale directly to families.
Anyone wanting to buy one simply logs on to the kickstarter website www.tinyurl.com/ohbot2  and pledges either £149 for a ready-made Ohbot or £99 for one in kit form – and as soon as 100 pledges have been made, the production line will start producing the robots, ready to be delivered in time for Christmas.

Walker says: “Ohbot has been a tiny cottage industry so far but it’s ready to move into the mainstream.

“We’ve taken Ohbot into lots of schools and they love it. But now we’re ready to offer Ohbot directly to parents and grandparents at home.”

 

 

CellRobot Launching Modular Robots for Futuristic Applications

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CellRobot allows anyone to build hundreds of different functional robots or toys using robotic cell modules
Beijing, China – CellRobot (http://cells.io) just announced a Kickstarter campaign to bring their product to market, in time for Christmas.
Just like the cells in our bodies work together to create life and function, CellRobot is made up of individual robotic cells that can be put together to form practical and functional robots.
At the core of the robot, lies a HEART, which communicates with the other frame/muscle cells that are connected with it. Inside each CELL, there is a servo motor, a sensor and an independent MCU (Microprogrammed Control Unit). Once connected to the heart using easy-to-connect snap joints, each cell can be directed to move in any direction and angle desired. These cells will come in sets of 2, 4, 8 and 12, and can be configured in any way. Additionally, there will also be functional cells (called x-cells) for things like: spotlights, wheels, connectors, and cameras.
CellRobot will launch with its own supporting mobile application (that works with iOS and Android based phones). The app will have two modes: GUIDE mode and CUSTOM mode. The guide mode directs users on how to assemble different robots and helps to check whether they’ve done it correctly. The custom mode allows users to create any shape or movements they want. Irrespective of mode, the app immediately recognizes what has been created and shows a 3D visualization of it through the app.
The app will also include a shape library for an initial set of ideas on what to create. The shape library will expand over time as the community adds new configurations, ideas, and experiments into it. Once a robot is setup, it can then be controlled using the app. The robots can be assembled and disassembled rapidly and with ease.
The company will also be offering an open platform to enable other technology providers to develop applications and new types of x-cells on top of the CellRobot solution.
The Kickstarter campaign will go live on October 13, 2015 for a duration of one month. Product prototypes and demo units are being tested at the moment, whereas actual manufacturing has also initiated. The heart, cells and x-cells (connector, spotlight and wheel) will be ready to ship to Kickstarter backers in December in time for the holiday season, whereas the camera related functional x-cells will be shipped out next quarter.
The costs will vary from $169 to $600 USD for different kits, depending on how many cells are included in the package.

Cannybots Launches New Robot Smart Toys that Allow Kids to Design, Build, Program and Race their Own Custom Cars

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London, UK – Cannybots, the programmable smart toy robots that can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet, and that get kids excited about robotics, today launched on Kickstarter.

Cannybots are smart toy robots that encourage children to play and spend time together, rather than spending their days in front of screens playing virtual games online. Cannybots teaches kids about robotics, programming, design and 3D printing while they are playing.

Children receive a construction kit for their Cannybot containing all the parts and detailed instructions to build their robot. They can then be programmed and controlled from phone, tablet, PC or a Raspberry Pi.

“Going through the building process gives kids the hands-on experience of building a functional robot that they can also program,” said Anish Mampetta, CEO of Cannybots. “Programming is an essential skill today but it is not easy to get kids started.  We are allowing kids to do this in a fun, interactive and rewarding way.”

To introduce children to programming, the Cannybots team created a simple and intuitive app called ‘CannyTalk’.  The app uses a syntax-free programming environment that works like a friendly chat tool. Using the app anyone can program the Cannybot using plain English. The complex Artificial Intelligence (AI) based engine behind CannyTalk is developed in association with researchers from the Computer Science department at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

“The children use programming to solve puzzles, control Cannybots on race tracks, and create new game play styles,” added Mampetta. “It’s an interactive, social experience that brings friends and family together.”

Once built and programmed, the bots can be used in a number of play scenarios such as high speed racing, time trials, sumo-wrestling, jousting and puzzle-solving. Apps and printable tracks are available for each game.  Children can also design new car bodies using free, easy to use, browser based CAD software from Cannybots’ partner Autodesk. The designs can be then easily 3D printed using any home 3D Printer.

The current version of Cannybots is already very popular and is being used in over 20 schools in the UK and Europe.

Pre-orders start as low as $89 for an early bird special and will be shipped in time for the holidays.

For more information visit www.cannybots.com and on their Kickstarter campaign page – www.cannybots.com/kickstarter

About Cannybots 

Cannybots are smart toy robots that can be controlled and programmed from a phone or a tablet. This engaging toy brings kids play time out of their tablets and back into the real world. It also introduces kids to Programming, 3D Printing and Robotics through play.

Cannybots can be used in a large number of play scenarios, such as –Racing, Sumo Wrestling, Jousting, Maze solving and other puzzle games. There is a dedicated phone app and track design for each game play. Customer can print the tracks at home or use the large format tracks that we supply. It is also possible to make a large track by printing segments of A4 sheets. The bots work by following black lines and colored mark printed on the track.

Cannybots can be programmed from a Phone or a Tablet using a simple, intuitive app called CannyTalk. It is a Natural Language based programming interface using which you can program the robot in plain simple English. It eliminates the complex Syntax found with other programming languages thus making it easy for kids to get started.

Cannybots designs are open source, free and 3D Printable. You can easily customize the design using free, browser based CAD software from our partner Autodesk. The customized designs can be 3D printed using any ordinary home 3D printer.

Sensitive Robotik – Paulii setzt dem Bier die Krone auf.

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Das Einschenken eines Weißbieres ist die Königsdisziplin hinter der Theke. Im neuen Werbespot von Paulaner trifft Weißbiertradition auf Roboterinnovation. Die Aufgabe: Wer schenkt am schnellsten ein perfektes Weißbier ein? Dazu treffen sich Radiomoderator Bernhard Fleischmann und Paulii, wie der KUKA Leichtbauroboter LBR iiwa für den Spot getauft wurde, im traditionellen Paulaner Biergarten. Bühne frei für Fleischi vs. Paulii, Radiomoderator und Weißbierprofi vs. Roboter und Weißbierliebhaber.Mit verbundenen Augen und ohne Kamerasystem startet die Disziplin unter gleichen Voraussetzungen. Die Gläser werden im Winkel an die Flasche gehalten, die ersten Tropfen Weißbier rinnen am Glas herunter. Sehen Sie hier, wer dem Bier am Ende die perfekte Krone aufsetzt. Gut, besser,…

Mensch-Roboter-Kollaboration charmant in Szene gesetzt

In diesem Werbespot werden Mensch-Roboter-Kollaboration (MRK) und die objektorientierte Programmierung des Roboters, der Kernkomponente von „Industrie 4.0“, charmant in Szene gesetzt. Der Roboterkollege unterstützte bereits das Servicepersonal während der Hannover Messe 2015  hinter der Theke, indem er half, Bier auszuschenken. Hier erledigte der Roboter Seite an Seite mit seinen menschlichen Servicekollegen alle notwendigen Schritte selbst: Er holte eine volle Flasche Bier, öffnete diese, griff nach einem Glas, spülte es aus und goss das Weißbier formvollendet ein. Auch den Spülvorgang übernahm der mechanische Kollege.

Sensitivität ermöglicht höchste Form der Zusammenarbeit

Wie das geht? Ganz einfach: Der LBR iiwa besitzt in allen sieben Achsen feinfühligeGelenkmomentensensoren. Dadurch kann er anhand des Gewichts erkennen, ob eine Flasche voll oder leer ist, das Glas greifen ohne es zu zerbrechen, und die Flasche durch die richtige Kraftanwendung öffnen. Auch stellt der Leichtbauroboter bei der Zusammenarbeit mit dem Menschen keine Gefahr dar. Ein gewöhnlicher Arbeitskollege eben, der sich selbstverständlich auch an die Hygienevorschriften hält und die Flasche beim Einschenken nicht in das Bier hält. Na dann: Prost!

Link zum Video

https://youtu.be/lx07e1l6SsQ

InnoTechnix launches Maximo Robot Arm on Kickstarter starting at Only 199$USD

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SAINTE-ADELE, Quebec – Sept. 22, 2015 – PRLog — InnoTechnix a robotics company, announced the launch of its new crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for Maximo Robot Arm. Maximo is a 5-axis robotic arm for all ages designed to be an affordable way to discover robotics.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/itnx/maximo-robot-ar…

Maximo is our second generation of robotic arms. Three years ago, we created MandleBot, a 5-axis aluminum robotic arm currently being used in schools, robotics clubs, summer camps and even factories. We have enjoyed sharing our passion for robotics with a lot of people and it has inspired us to now do it on a larger scale. The new Maximo features a completely updated and optimized design to make it easier to use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVhc2T9xoJI

Maximo is an Arduino-driven, 5-axis robotic arm with a laser-cut acrylic body. The robot comes with Robotic Studio, an InnoTechnix software program developed in-house that allows the user to control the arm with a gamepad or program a series of recorded steps to execute complex automations. Up to 10 robots can be connected at the same time in Robotic Studio. Maximo only requires a screwdriver to assemble and can easily be customized with attachments. Several head modules are available to expand the abilities of the arm. It is a great solution for schools to motivate students to learn more about robotics and science.

You can follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/InnoTechnix and Twitter https://twitter.com/innotechnix with the hashtag #MaximoRobotArm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU12szKRpew

About InnoTechnix Inc.: InnoTechnix (http://www.itnx.com/) was launched in 2011. The company has since developed a variety of robotic arms, custom claws, talking robots, smart clocks and mobile robots. InnoTechnix designs the robots, manufactures all parts and develops the robotics software. InnoTechnix robots have appeared on television programs like Dragon’s Den, Mr.Net, Entrée Principale, Cogeco TV and a TV ad for the Ford Focus.

InnoTechnix previously successfully achieved a Kickstarter campaign for another robotics project. The company created a diy product inspired by the useless machine invented by MIT professor Marvin Minsky at Bell Labs in 1952. The goal was to create a product that people would assemble themselves and learn about electronics along the way. It was called the Useless Can. The campaign was successfully funded by 427 backers who pledged a total of $27,011. The idea to launch a new Kickstarter campaign for Maximo came while manufacturing the Useless Can. I realised that crowdfunding on Kickstarter had the potential to bring this longtime project of mine to a much larger scale.