Entrepreneur turning hobby into novelty toy and apparel company

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GREENSBORO, NC — After graduating from college, designer and maker, Charles Wade, began his hobby by making unique animal stickers, which later morphed into woodcraft and papercraft creations. During a test for one of his woodcrafts he designed and built a poseable wooden robot. The Helper Bot was born.

With the creation of the Helper Bot, Wade began experimenting with other ideas. After receiving feedback and appreciation for his work, he created more robots and designed assembly kits that would allow others to build his creations.

Wade has cultivated his hobby into a career by establishing RoboMustache; a collection of wooden robot assembly kits, accessories and merchandise. More than a collection of novelties, the RoboMustache hints at a rich world of storytelling as well. Coined from a found project in a derelict factory, as the company grows, so will the RoboMustache universe. The story will expand to tell more about the existing robots and bring in new robots along the way.

Wade is crowdfunding the project to take the RoboMustache universe to the next level. The Kickstarter launched Dec. 4, 2015 and runs through the new year.

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

Schweizer Premiere mit autonomen Shuttles

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Mitteilung vom 04.11.2015
Im Auftrag der Post will die PostAuto Schweiz AG in Sitten zusammen mit weiteren Partnern wie der Stadt Sitten, dem Kanton Wallis sowie der ETH Lausanne während zwei Jahren zwei autonome Fahrzeuge testen.

Im Auftrag der Post will die PostAuto Schweiz AG in Sitten zusammen mit weiteren Partnern wie der Stadt Sitten, dem Kanton Wallis sowie der ETH Lausanne während zwei Jahren zwei autonome Fahrzeuge testen. Es ist das erste Mal, dass ein Transportunternehmen in der Schweiz diese Technologie im öffentlichen Raum einsetzt, um Passagiere zu befördern. PostAuto möchte als Anbieter ganzheitlicher Mobilitätslösungen herausfinden, ob und wie diese intelligenten Fahrzeuge neue Formen der Mobilität in Gebieten ermöglichen, die derzeit vom öffentlichen Verkehr nicht bedient werden.

PostAuto und die Stadt Sitten wollen im Rahmen des Mobilitätslabors (Mobility Lab Sion-Valais) Tests mit zwei autonomen Shuttles durchführen. Die zwei vom französischen Unternehmen Navya entwickelten Fahrzeuge werden zu 100% elektrisch angetrieben. Falls der Testbetrieb von den zuständigen Behörden bewilligt wird, befördern die beiden Shuttles bis zu neun Personen bei maximal 20 Kilometern pro Stunde durch die Strassen des Walliser Hauptorts. Dabei sind sie zwar immer von instruierten Personen begleitet, verkehren aber vollautomatisiert und verfügen weder über ein Lenkrad noch über Brems- und Gaspedale. Im Bedarfsfall steht jedoch ein Notfallknopf zur Verfügung, um das Fahrzeug anzuhalten. Dank modernster Sensoren können die Fahrzeuge tagsüber wie auch nachts auf den Zentimeter genau fahren und sämtliche Hindernisse und Signalisierungen auf der Strasse erkennen. Ein Programm des Schweizer Start-up-Unternehmens BestMile überwacht und steuert die beiden autonomen Fahrzeuge.

Erste Testphase ohne Passagiere

Die Einführung dieser Shuttle-Fahrzeuge, die 4,80 Meter lang und 2,05 Meter breit sind, findet in zwei Phasen statt. In der ersten Phase von Dezember 2015 bis ungefähr Frühling 2016 werden die Fahrzeuge von Fachspezialisten auf einem abgesperrten Privatareal getestet. Falls die zuständigen Behörden den Pilotversuch bewilligen, werden die autonomen Shuttles in der zweiten Phase im öffentlichen Raum verkehren und Personen befördern. Dafür ist ein Gebiet vorgesehen, das die Fussgängerzone sowie die Begegnungszone der Altstadt von Sitten und das touristische Zentrum der Stadt umfasst sowie zu den Schlössern Tourbillon und Valère führt (siehe Plan). Wenn die Tests in diesem Gebiet erfolgreich sind, ist der Einsatz der Fahrzeuge auch auf anderen Strecken in der Stadt Sitten vorstellbar.

Sonderbewilligungen nötig 

Die gesetzlichen Bestimmungen für den Einsatz autonomer Fahrzeuge auf öffentlichen Strassen sind derzeit noch nicht abschliessend geregelt. Deshalb braucht es für die Durchführung des Pilotversuchs in der Stadt Sitten Sonderbewilligungen der Behörden. PostAuto arbeitet diesbezüglich eng mit dem Fahrzeughersteller und den zuständigen Behörden auf Bundes-, Kantons- und Gemeindeebene zusammen. Alle am Test beteiligten Firmen und Institutionen legen grössten Wert auf die Sicherheit der Fahrgäste, weshalb noch nicht genau abschätzbar ist, ob und wann die Bewilligungen erteilt werden können.

Immer leistungsfähigere Flottenmanagementprogramme

Parallel zu diesem einzigartigen Pilotversuch in Sitten arbeitet die ETH Lausanne daran, eine Flotte autonomer Shuttles in das System des öffentlichen Verkehrs zu integrieren und beispielsweise einen bedarfsorientierten Dienst zu ermöglichen. Eine zentrale Voraussetzung ist, den Betrieb in Echtzeit durchzuführen und den unterschiedlichen Bedürfnissen der Passagiere Rechnung zu tragen: flexible Fahrpläne, Ruflinien, Haus-zu-Haus-Dienste usw. Sind die dazu notwendigen Algorithmen einmal entwickelt, können sie zur Verbesserung des Flottenmanagementprogramms von BestMile beigezogen werden. Darüber hinaus werden sie allgemein zu Lösungen in der Logistik und im Management des öffentlichen Verkehrs beitragen. Durch den Pilotversuch im öffentlichen Raum in Sitten können die Algorithmen der ETH Lausanne weiter entwickelt werden.

Den Nutzen von autonomen Shuttles im öffentlichen Raum testen

PostAuto und die Stadt Sitten möchten zusammen mit ihren Partnern herausfinden, ob der Einsatz von autonomen Shuttles im öffentlichen Raum einen Kundenmehrwert bietet. Insbesondere stellt sich die Frage, ob deren Einsatz im öffentlichen Raum – beispielsweise in Fussgängerzonen und autofreien Ortschaften – oder auf Firmengeländen möglich ist. Weiter wollen das Transportunternehmen und der Walliser Hauptort Erfahrungen mit neuen Formen der Personenmobilität machen und die Möglichkeit schaffen, Orte zu erschliessen, die bisher vom öffentlichen Verkehr nicht bedient wurden. Es ist jedoch nicht das Ziel, auf den bestehenden Linien Busse durch autonome Fahrzeuge zu ersetzen, sondern die Transportmittel zu diversifizieren, um möglichst viele Mobilitätsbedürfnisse der Fahrgäste abzudecken.

Die Mobilität der Zukunft gestalten

PostAuto ist daran, sich vom führenden Busunternehmen im öffentlichen Verkehr der Schweiz zu einem Mobilitäts- und Technologiedienstleister weiter zu entwickeln. In diesem Zusammenhang will PostAuto im Auftrag der Schweizerischen Post moderne Technologien verantwortungsvoll prüfen und einsetzen, um neue Mobilitätslösungen im öffentlichen Verkehr und an der Schnittstelle zum Individualverkehr zu finden. Um dies zu ermöglichen sucht PostAuto gezielt Partner, die sich strategisch und finanziell engagieren. Beim Projekt «autonome Shuttles» in Sion steht PostAuto mit diversen Unternehmen im Kontakt. Mit ihnen zusammen will die Schweizerische Post die Mobilität der Zukunft maßgebend mitgestalten.

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.

Pictures Maker Faire Berlin 2015

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Dash Robotics Unveils Kamigami, its First Line of Animal-Inspired Robots

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HAYWARD, Calif. (October 20, 2015) — Dash Robotics today unveiled the first generation of bio-inspired Kamigami robots, the first advanced robot toy available for less than $70. Kamigami are fast, lightweight, build-it-yourself robotic toys that snap together in an origami-like fashion. Kamigami fit in the palm of your hand, run very fast on six legs, and are controlled by a programmable mobile app (for iOS initially, Android coming in 2016). Kamigami will be available initially through Kickstarter, for $49 – a 30% discount off the MSRP of $69. Kamigami will be available directly from Dash Robotics and at Amazon.com in 2016.

Dash created Kamigami robots to bring programmable robotics to the mass market. Its low price point makes it the most accessible robotic toy ever. The DIY nature of Kamigami along with the simplicity of drag-and drop programming for changing and evolving each individual robot is intended to inspire kids everywhere to engage with, and learn from, advanced technology in a way that is easy, affordable, social and fun.

Kids can use easy drag-and-drop programming within the mobile app to modify the behavior of each individual robot, and can toggle between individual and team play modes. A simple yet sophisticated set of electronics included with each robot are easy for anyone to install. These include a small circuit board, battery, a light sensor, IR sensor, gyroscope and accelerometer, which combine to bring Kamigami to life. With the IR sensors, Kamigami robots can tag one another remotely in team play modes, such as tag or battle games. IR signals transmitted from one robot to another can cause different player-designed effects on the tagged robot.

Kamigami are evolved from the initial Dash Robot beta, released last year to test design and get early customer feedback. The core “skeleton” or chassis of Kamigami looks much like the original Dash beta, whose rapid movements mimic the movements of animals, particularly cockroaches and lizards. The founders of Dash studied biomimicry and robotics at the University of California, Berkeley. In a new twist, Kamigami feature interchangeable shells that snap over the chassis, turning the robot into a colorful creature from out of this world.

Nick Kohut, co-founder and chief executive officer of Dash Robotics, said, “We designed Kamigami so kids could discover a fun new way of learning. Our mantra is ‘build, program and evolve’ and Kamigami helps kids do just that. It’s the first DIY programmable robot that is affordable for everyone.”

Key Features of Kamigami Robots:

■ Do-It-Yourself: Kamigami can be assembled without tools in under an hour. No glue or soldering required.

■ High-speed: High speed and robust locomotion inspired by some of nature’s fastest runners.

■ iOS compatible: Free app allows you to control and program the robot. Android app coming soon.

■ Rechargeable: Built-in high performance rechargeable battery. Recharges in about 30 minutes. 45-60 minutes of playtime per charge.

■ Advanced sensor suite: Includes 10 different sensors, for things such as rotation, acceleration, sensing and responding to ambient light, sending and receiving infrared signals.

■ Robot-to-robot communication: Infrared communication allows robots to talk to each other, allowing the robots to cooperate or compete.

■ Durable: Robot’s flexible construction allows the robot to shrug off falls and collisions.

Programmable Behavior

Each Kamigami robot can be programmed with a unique set of behaviors and characteristics.

This enables a wide range of individual and team play modes that take advantage of the robot’s sensors and functions. Games that can be created include:

■ Sumo-bots – first to fall off the table loses points

■ Build your own battle game where robots blast each other with the IR lasers

■ Robot relay – one robot cannot run until it gets tagged by another robot

■ Tanks – take turns trying to get into firing position

Mechanical Intelligence

Most robots today are constructed either with hundreds of expensive injection-molded parts, or metal fastened together with steel bearings. They require an individual motor, or actuator, for each joint, making them slow, expensive and heavy. To overcome these fundamental challenges, Dash constructs its robots with a material made up of highly durable yet lightweight plastic.

This material fastens together using flexible plastic joints, or flexures, rather than ball bearings. Because of this design approach, Kamigami robots require only one or two actuators – another significant reduction in cost for both prototyping and manufacturing.

This rare combination of new composite material, intelligent design and innovative manufacturing results in robots that have much greater mechanical flexibility, are much faster, are lighter in weight and can be sold at a fraction of the cost of any competitor.

About Dash Robotics      

Dash Robotics was founded in 2013 by four UC Berkeley PhD students on a mission to make advanced robotics simple, fun and affordable for everyone. Dash has received a round of seed funding led by IronFire Capital, which has a track record of success investing in early-stage companies including Songza (acquired by Google), Streem (acquired by Box), Caviar (acquired by Square) and many others. Dash is headquartered in Hayward, California.