New BlueROV2 Enables Underwater Exploration and Study

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TORRANCE, California – Torrance startup, Blue Robotics, announced a new high-performance and affordable underwater drone, the BlueROV2. The BlueROV2 continues Blue Robotics’ mission to improve the accessibility of ocean exploration and study. The BlueROV2 is available for reservations now and shipping will commence in August 2016.

Leveraging a vectored thruster configuration that is usually only seen in high-end vehicles, the BlueROV2 is smooth and stable yet highly maneuverable. It provides a solid platform to attach scientific equipment, film cinematographic quality shots, and explore the oceans down to a depth of 100 meters.

“From day one, our goal has been to make marine robotics accessible to more people and businesses than ever before,” said the company’s founder, Rustom Jehangir. Since announcing their first product, a low-cost underwater thruster motor, in 2014, Blue Robotics has been steadily releasing new enabling products ranging from watertight pressure enclosures to depth sensors and underwater lights. The new BlueROV2 is, according to Jehangir, the company’s “new flagship product – a fusion of all of our other products and efforts.”

Used in wide-ranging applications from boat inspections to aquaculture to shipwreck exploration, remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) have long been in an industry dominated by a small number of companies, targeting big business and government applications. The heavy price-tags attached to these vehicles can range from $4,000 to $100,000 or more.

The BlueROV2, however, comes in a number of different configurations, with a standard kit costing just around $3000. “We’re able to make the BlueROV2 at a fraction of the cost of similar vehicles thanks to many of the same technologies that have made aerial drones affordable,” said Jehangir. That includes the use of the open-source Pixhawk autopilot as well as a Raspberry Pi computer.

The price of the BlueROV2 will enable wider use of subsea vehicles for many people including universities, research organizations, small businesses, hobbyists, and first responders. “We know there are a lot of people out there with an urge to explore the ocean,” says Jehangir, “and the BlueROV2 is a tool to help them do so.”

The BlueROV2 is available as a partially assembled kit that is simple and enjoyable to build and requires several hours of user assembly. It can be reserved at no cost. The kits will begin shipping in August 2016.

Blue Robotics is based in Torrance, California and launched in 2014 with a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. Since then, the company has shipped thousands of thruster motors and has released many other products for marine robotics. Blue Robotics’ products are in operation in over 40 countries worldwide.

Read more about the Blue Robotics Team and the BlueROV2 here:

Mixbots, A Robot Building Trading Card Party Game Now On Kickstarter

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Funamite LLC launches Mixbots, a robot building trading card game on Kickstarter. Robots are built by applying stickers onto trading cards, and combat is played with the hand game, Rock Paper Scissors. Combat is fast and furious for one on one duels and team battles with 10 or more players. Mixbots is enjoyed by tweens, teens, new gamers, and groups of friends.


Building robots is half the fun and putting them in action against other robots completes the whole experience. After building their robots, players will have a chance to personalize them by writing a name on the back. In team battles, players can help their own teammates by using their robots’ special abilities. “Students were on the edge of their seats. They were very engaged and enjoying the game”, said Christine Ha, a middle school teacher.

Funamite decided on using stickers instead of transparent cards to build the robots because that allowed the player’s creations to remain intact when being carried about, and to easily be seen. When multiple transparent cards are stacked on top of one another, details become blurry, so stickers were the easy choice. Funamite decided on Rock Paper Scissors as the combat mechanism because it’s already a familiar system with many and therefore lowers the learning curve and barrier to entry.

Funamite LLC is game publishing company founded in 2016 and based in Elk Grove, California. Mixbots is the company’s first product.

The Mystery of Robot Planet – 8Bit Game on Indiegogo

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I just received this message from Danni, creator of the 8Bit game „The Mystery of Robot Planet“:

The Mystery of Robot Planet is an 8bit inspired adventure-puzzle game for Windows, OS X and Linux scheduled for release in 2018. Visually inspired by early Pokemon games and mechanically based on other adventure-puzzle games such as Monkey Island and Beneath a Steel Sky, the game follows the player character, Ivan, on his quest to become a Marine and save the Princess!

 

With many vibrant locations, planets and separate endings depending on choices made throughout the game, The Mystery of Robot Planet aims to be a fun, unique and immersive experience for those who crave the puzzle-solving goodness of the early 90s point and click adventure games.

 

Download the Playable Teaser here – https://roadbloc.itch.io/the-mystery-of-robot-planet
Donate on IndieGoGo – https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-mystery-of-robot-planet-game-adventure/x/4781251#/

 

Dobrindt: Klare Regeln für Betrieb von Drohnen

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(lifePR) (Berlin, ) Der Betrieb von Drohnen wird neu geregelt. Bundesminister Dobrindt hat dazu heute dem Kabinett eine „Verordnung zur Regelung des Betriebs von unbemannten Fluggeräten“ vorgelegt. Anschließend erfolgt die Zuleitung an den Bundesrat.

Bundesverkehrsminister Dobrindt:

Drohnen bieten ein großes Potenzial – privat wie gewerblich. Immer mehr Menschen nutzen sie. Je mehr Drohnen aufsteigen, desto größer werden aber auch die Gefahren von Kollisionen, Abstürzen oder Unfällen. Für die Nutzung von Drohnen sind deshalb klare Regeln nötig. Um der Zukunftstechnologie Drohne Chancen zu eröffnen und gleichzeitig die Sicherheit im Luftraum deutlich zu erhöhen, habe ich eine Drohnenverordnung auf den Weg gebracht. Neben der Sicherheit verbessern wir damit auch den Schutz der Privatsphäre.

Wesentliche Regelungen der Verordnung: Kennzeichnungspflicht ab 0,25 kg, um im Schadensfall schnell den Halter feststellen zu können. Kenntnisnachweis ab 2 kg (außer auf Modellflugplätzen) durch eine vom Luftfahrt-Bundesamt anerkannte Prüfung oder Bescheinigung über eine Einweisung eines Luftsportvereins. Erlaubnispflicht ab 5 kg. Die Erlaubnis wird von den Landesluftfahrtbehörden erteilt. Betriebsverbot, z.B. außerhalb der Sichtweite oder in Flughöhen über 100 Metern (gilt nicht auf Modellfluggeländen), über Wohngrundstücken ab 0,25 kg oder wenn das Fluggerät optische, akustische oder Funksignale übertragen oder aufzuzeichnen kann.

Für gewerbliche Nutzer wird das aktuell bestehende generelle Betriebsverbot außerhalb der Sichtweite aufgehoben. Künftig ist der Betrieb außerhalb der Sichtweite genehmigungsfähig. Damit wird der Betrieb gewerblicher Drohnen erleichtert und es werden neue Geschäftsmodelle ermöglicht.

Weitere Informationen zu den Regelungen finden Sie unter www.bmvi.de/drohnen

Chicago game publisher launches a crowdfunding campaign for their STEM-inspired, color-matching, robot-building game

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Chicago, IL – January 11, 2017.

Today, XYZ Game Labs launched a Kickstarter for RobotLab: The Card Game, a
STEM-inspired card game where players race to build robots.

RobotLab: The Card Game is a light, family-friendly card game where you
take on the role of a scientist racing to build your robot and claim the
coveted Devol Prize in Robotics!  Along the way you’ll need to do some
research, deal with some faulty parts, and do your best to avoid the other
scientists trying to stop you.

„We wanted a game where the goal was creation rather than destruction. It
needed to be accessible for all types of players AND it needed to be about
robots,” said RobotLab co-creator and XYZ Game Labs CEO Adam McCrimmon.
“We
designed RobotLab so people new to tabletop gaming would be able to easily
pick it up and learn, but we still wanted a game what was complex enough
to
hold the interest of experienced gamers. After months of testing, we think
we’ve struck the right balance for both newcomers and serious gamers.“

RobotLab: The Card Game is for 2 to 5 players, ages 6 and up. The 2-player
game plays in about 10 minutes, adding 5-8 minutes for each additional
player. It includes a deck of 80 cards (assorted robot parts and action
cards) and 5 robot body cards. RobotLab: The Card Game is launching on
Kickstarter on Wednesday, January 11th. Delivery is anticipated in
October,
2017, and it is expected to sell for $20 at retail (Kickstarter backers
receive the game for $15 + $5 shipping).  For more information, you can
visit robotlabcg.com.

As part of their Kickstarter campaign, XYZ Game Labs will be donating
copies of RobotLab: The Card Game to a number of non-profit organizations
including: Lurie Children’s Hospital, the Chicago Public Library and The
Night Ministry. Non-profit organizations interested in receiving games
should contact [email protected].

About XYZ Game Labs

XYZ Game Labs is a board game designer and publisher based in Chicago, IL.
The company was formed under the guiding principle that tabletop gaming is
one of the best ways of bringing people together and fostering meaningful,
long lasting friendships. RobotLab: The Card Game is the company’s first
foray into the board game market.

RobotLab: The Card Game is a trademark of XYZ Game Labs, Inc.

LINK to Kickstarter

Plezmo Inc. Launches Kickstarter Campaign to Bring Early Learners Innovative Coding Apps and Intelligent Wireless Building Blocks

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PUNE, INDIA (PRWEB) JANUARY 11, 2017

The design team behind Plezmo launched their Kickstarter campaign today and is looking to raise a total of $75K to put their product into production. Plezmo Elements, similar to building blocks, pair wirelessly with Plezmo Apps and allow children to code things like their very own games or contraptions, make music, develop their own smart wearables and much more.

Plezmo Apps will be available on iOS, Android and Chromebook and will allow kids to program their Elements wirelessly by using an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop visual programming interface. The cloud-based application provides community sharing features to Plezmo users so they can share their own projects or try interesting projects done by others. Plezmo’s built-in simulator allows kids to try their programs on screen before using the physical elements. Plezmo Apps were also designed to be compatible with LEGO® Mindstorms®, LEGO® Wedo®, Sphero® elements and more all in one easy-to-use program.

“Our team has a real passion for innovation, learning and technology,” said co-founder Amol Palshikar. “As our collection of products and team continues to grow, we hope that this project will help us expand and build upon our passion for developing fun, educational products for children that will have long-lasting benefits.”

Plezmo will prove to be perfect for the classroom, day care, family night and even play dates. With 13 different Elements and 5 types of accessories, the possibilities for creativity are endless. Kids have the ability to code through the app and play sounds, show photos, sense tilts and movements, create moving projects and much more. Plezmo Elements are designed to work with everyday objects such as existing toys, cardboard-based creations, bags, bikes and other objects and turn them into smart objects. Plezmo Elements are also designed for hours of constant usage and require a simple recharge. Even if it’s in the airport, on the road or in a deadzone, no internet connection is required to use Plezmo.

Early supporters can pre-order Plezmo packages on Kickstarter for $109, which is over 25% less than the market retail value. Packages will be available for beginner and advanced levels. For more information about Plezmo Elements and Apps, visit http://bit.ly/PlezmoKS.

ABOUT PLEZMO INC.

Plezmo Inc. is building a platform of the best possible building blocks to learn, teach and play with technology for the education and maker markets. The Plezmo team believes that cutting-edge technology should be put in the hands of children in a safe and simple way to empower them to create things that are in line with the world around them. For more information, visit http://www.plezmo.com.

Meccanoid XL 2.0 Packaging

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I want to share all the information about the Meccanoid XL 2.0 you can find on the packaging. If you are interested in this robot, here you can find everything that is visible from the outside. An unboxing and Building Video plus a written review needs some more editing before you will see it here @ robots-blog.com. The official specifications will follow in a next Post. 

UBTECH unveils Amazon Alexa-powered Lynx robot, Jimu Karbot for kids and more at CES 2017

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Ubtech Robotics has introduced its latest selection of cutesy robots at CES 2017 in Las Vegas. The upcoming range includes several new buildable and programmable Jimu bots for children, a cloud-based assistant designed for commercial use, and the Lynx – a humanoid robot that utilises Amazon’s increasingly prolific Alexa AI voice service.

Lynx.jpg

The Lynx is by far the most intriguing of the robo-quartet, as it combines design and tech aspects of the Chinese manufacturer’s popular Alpha series with the voice-recognition features of Amazon’s Alexa AI.

Ubtech described the Lynx as in „in-home companion“, talking up the robot’s multitude of features, such as facial recognition and personalised greetings, playing music, livestream feeds of your home while you are away, event reminders and calendar notifications and, thanks to Alexa, being able to order Prime products directly from Amazon via simple voice commands.

„Lynx combines unprecedented intelligence and robotics into one consumer-friendly platform,“ said John Rhee, Ubtech’s US general manager. „Integrating with Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service is a perfect match for Lynx’s unparalleled facial, image and voice recognition, emotion detection and lifelike robotic movement, seamlessly woven together for a truly humanlike experience.“

Elsewhere, the company’s Jimu robots enjoyed two new additions in the Karbot and LionBot, as the company looks to expand its range of build-your-own robots which give kids a basic introduction to coding. The Karbot in particular should turn a few young heads, with Ubtech banking on the killer combo of robots and cars for „kids and teens on wheels“.

Each set includes buildable parts and robo-components for up to three Karbot creations that can then be programmed via an iOS and Android smartphone app. As well as in-app joystick controls, the Kartbot can move along track lines, all while detecting, and avoiding, obstacles.

Ubtech’s other Jimu robot, the LionBot, was designed in collaboration with Apple, and is aimed at youngsters looking to celebrate the Chinese New Year with a robo-version of the „iconic symbol of good fortune.“

Finally, the Cruzr is Ubtech’s take on a business-grade robotic companion, presinting a „cloud-based intelligent humanoid robot that provides AI business services with user-friendly, human-like interaction“.

 

Ubtech Robotics has quickly garnered a reputation for producing high quality humanoid robots with a friendly demeanour. As well as having its Alpha 2 and Jimu range named among the CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honorees, the company also hit the headlines thanks to its partnership with Premier League football team Manchester City and an iPhone 7 launch-day queue, where real-life customers took a load off and swapped their place in line with an Alpha avatar.

Each of Ubtech’s robots are heading to market sometime in 2017, although UK pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed.

UBTECH Introduces LionBot: Jimu Robot’s First Bobblehead Robot to Coincide with Chinese New Year Celebrations

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LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UBTECH Robotics, the company that created the cutting-edge Alpha Series of humanoid robots, today introduced LionBot, the latest addition to its line of STEM-friendly Jimu Robots for kids and teens. The Jimu Robot LionBot was designed exclusively with Apple to emulate the lion costumes seen in the Chinese New Year parades, whose dance represents warding off bad luck, scaring away evil spirits, as well as ushering in good luck and thanks-giving. UBTECH will be showcasing LionBot as part of CES in Sands Expo, Hall A-D, booth #42151, January 5–8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LionBot has an infrared sensor that can track and move along lines, as well as detect objects to maneuver around. LionBot is also the first Jimu Robot to feature a bobbling character head, bringing a whole new level of personality to robot construction, and offering the ideal way to celebrate the Chinese New Year. LionBot is an interactive building block kit that combines learning and fun as kids build, program and share their robot creations. The Jimu Robot LionBot Kit retails for $129.95 and is exclusively available at Apple.com and in select Apple Stores.

“UBTECH is proud to introduce LionBot, an iconic symbol of good fortune in Chinese New Year celebrations,” said John Rhee, General Manager, North America, UBTECH. “Not only will boys and girls enjoy building, coding and programming LionBot, but the whole family will enjoy LionBot’s 21st century take on the traditional Chinese lion dance.”

The Jimu Robot LionBot Kit has all the parts, connectors and servo motors needed to build LionBot or your own invention. The kit includes the Jimu Robot app with step-by-step 3D instructions including zoom and 360 degree views to make building the robot easy. Once built, the app features pre-programmed actions with Blockly coding or the ability to program your own actions to make LionBot do almost anything. An in-app joystick remote also lets you control your LionBot on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Additionally, the app connects users to the global Jimu community to share their creation or programming with Jimu Robot lovers around the world. The JIMU Robot app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is available free, exclusively on the App Store.

The Jimu Robot TankBot Kit includes:

  • 4 Smooth Motion Robotic Servo Motors
  • 1 Infrared Sensor
  • 248 Snap-Together Interlocking Parts & Connectors
  • 1 Main Control Box
  • 1 Long Life, Quick Recharging Lithium-Ion Battery
  • 1 Recharging Power Adaptor
  • Free Jimu Robot App
  • Quick Start Guide

Jimu Robots were designed to enrich children’s lives and are appropriate for children over 8, and are especially strong for boys and girls 9-14. Jimu Robots were built from the ground up to specifically meet the needs of STEM (Science Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum.

To learn more about Jimu Robot, visit jimurobots.com.

Meet the Droneball, the world’s first collision-tolerant consumer drone

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If you love using drones, then you know there’s nothing more irritating than steering slightly in the wrong direction, and watching your drone fly right into a wall and shatter into pieces. For all the money you put into them, shouldn’t they withstand more than that? Finally the perpetual fear of your drone being destroyed on day 1 through careless steering is a thing of the past.

We are proud to introduce The Droneball, created by iMaze Toys, the people behind Angry Birds and Air Terminators,  is the world’s first collision-tolerant drone, and its unique design allows it to simply bounce back from collisions that destroy others.

Innovative Design

Created to go the distance, the design of the Drone Ball begins with an exceptionally powerful quadcopter craft with a 6-axis gyroscope, adding a greater level of control compared to most drones on the market. But the big innovation is the cage the surrounds it. This cage, along with its multi-axis running ring track, allows the Droneball to simply bounce off walls and obstacles that wreck other drones.  With multi-axis maneuverability, the Droneball remains level inside the cage after a collision, removing the need to regain control and keeping you in the air for as long as you want. No matter where you are or what obstacles you’re navigating through, you don’t need to worry about the copter’s safety with Droneball.

 

Sharing Made Easy

Droneball brings you 5.8GHZ Transmission technology ultra strong signals are achieved with anti interference capabilities and long distance video image transfer. Droneball’s camera is not only capable of recording stunning 1080p HD video, it can also take high resolution photographs. This allows user to instantly share footage on their smartphones or tablets,  from high quality photography to aerial footage.  Even when beyond visual range,  you can still capture the scene!

 

 Highlights

  • 6-AXIS GYROSCOPE Paired with accelerometers delivers increased motion detection through lateral movement and rotation
  • MULTI-AXIS MANEUVERABILITY Droneball quadcopter is mounted so it remains level inside the cage after a collision
  • RESILIENT The sturdy cage keeps the quad from striking obstacles for less risk of broken parts
  • AGILE Its gyro stabilization and 4.5-channel radio allows it to effectively fly through tight spaces
  • REAL TIME HD DIGITAL VIDEO TRANSMISSION 5.8GHZ Transmission technology collects high quality photography and live 1080p HD aerial footage
  • FUTURE PROOF Camera can be upgraded and easily swapped out for future upgrades or repairs
  • ALL-IN-ONE FPV SOLUTION Compatible with most FPV glasses Droneball’s wide field of view camera is specifically designed for FPV flight.

The Droneball launched on January 3th on Indiegogo with a goal of $ 75,000 to fund the first wave of production.  In addition, iMaze Toys has partnered with Walkera Technology to bring this to market, and they have decades of experience developing and manufacturing quadcopters, FPV camera drones, racing drones and other UAVs for the consumer market, commercial users and governmental agencies. Early backers of the project receive the  Droneball for only $399, nearly half the price of the final retail version, alongside goodies like a rucksack for carrying and a red light pack.