Awesome Robots

While humans are still very much a part of assembling vehicles, robots are often used for the heavy lifting and dangerous tasks like painting and welding. Watch in awe as an army of 45 KUKA robots work in harmony at MAGNA Presstec to create frames for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV.

Innfos‘ modular desktop robot is designed for scientists and hobbyists alike. Configurable with up to six axes, this robotic arm has extremely dexterous and smooth actuators can be used can be used to pick up objects up to 1kg (2.2lb), hold machining tools, or to perform other precision tasks.

Bulk Handling Systems shows off the Max-AI AQC-C, a robot designed to sort items on recycling lines, safely alongside humans, performing similar tasks to their living, breathing co-workers. For some reason, its gangly looking arms remind us of those air dancer guys in front of car dealerships.

Engineers from Canada’s Laval University Robotics Laboratory show off their motion simulator robot by strapping a Baymax bobblehead to its platform. As you can see in this demo footage, the kinematically redundant parallel mechanism offers incredible flexibility when it comes to positioning its platform.

The MIT Biomimetics Robotics department shows off a pack of its miniature “cheetah” robots, letting them frolic and roam the campus, showing off their agility along the way. The quadruped robots are about the size of medium-sized dog, and weigh just 20 pounds each. They can walk, run, flex, and even perform backflips.

While the goal of American robot fighting is total annihilation, Japan prefers to stick with something a little more gentlemanly in its ROBO-ONE duels. Watch as bipedal bots Bluethunder and Metallic Fighter do battle in thoughtful close combat. We’re impressed that they’re able to stand themselves back up after a knock-down.

The VFX wizards at Corridor imagine a world where battlefields aren’t populated by humans, and war is waged by humanoid robots instead. But they can’t fight before their masters treat them like rubbish as part of their training exercises. We do not condone cruelty to robots.

We spent a week in Tokyo, Japan learning all about Toyota’s plans for the future, as it expands its horizons from conventional cars, to providing mobility solutions for all. The future includes ultra-compact battery-electric vehicles, self-driving cars, and even cars that can adapt to your mood.

By using a similar mechanism to the ones used in 3D printers, maker Josh Sheldon created an amazing robotic rig which can be used to guide a light source along a precise path. The result are some of the most beautifully smooth long-exposure light paintings we’ve ever seen.

Created by Pindar, Hunter, and Dante Van Arman, CloudPainter is a robotic system designed to paint original artworks, using artificial intelligence to help it make creative decisions. Like human artists, it continues to improve and learn as its database grows.

Chronicle Collectibles and Cinemaquette teamed up to create a 78″ tall T-800 Endoskeleton statue. Based on the robot’s appearance in Terminator: Genisys, the statue is chrome plated, has LED eyes and articulated forearms and fingers. Limited to 100 units.

There are robots out there that can solve a Rubik’s Cube very quickly. But, while OpenAI’s design is decidedly slower, it works much more like a human, using its five robotic digits to maneuver and manipulate the cube with one hand, and learns to solve it using trial and error. Find out more about how it works here.

Prepare yourself for six minutes of weird and wild machines that are ready to fuel your nightmares. Since putting together this amazing showreel back in 2012, London animatronics designer Gustav Hoegen has gone on to run the creature effects department for the latest round of Star Wars movies.

Builder Navin Khambhala aka “Mr. NK” shows us how to create a nifty, low-budget RC car that can climb stairs thanks to its Mars Rover inspired wheel mechanisms. It’s made from easy to find parts like PVC, hose clamps, and off-the-shelf motors and wheels.

While the world certainly can feel like a horrible place some days, it’s videos like these that give us hope for the future. Watch in awe as a man who is paralyzed from the neck down was able to walk and move his arms thanks to a prototype robotic exoskeleton controlled by his own brain. More here.

Boston Dynamics’ agile humanoid ATLAS robot continues to develop its acrobatic and balancing skills. In this clip it shows off a variety of moves which combine movements of its legs, torso, and arms to perform a brief gymnastic routine.

Designed as a proof off concept to help combat labor shortages in the EU, the Sweeper is a specialized robot that can pick vegetables all on its own. It uses computer vision to identify sweet bell peppers that are ready to harvest, then cuts them down with a tiny saw.

Artist Hah Jeong-hee started making felt toys for her kids. She’s made dozens of small toys, but recently she became interested in making robots. Her creations are so detailed that people sometimes mistake them for model kits. Turn captions on.

Engineers from ETH Zurich and the CERBERUS team worked together to create ANYmal, an autonomous robot which has wheels at the ends of its legs, making it capable of moving quickly, and negotiating over difficult terrain. Its moves kind of remind us of the wheelers in Return to Oz, but not as creepy.

Artist Mike Slobot has been making cool robot sculptures and other robot art for 15 years. To celebrate, he’s created a series of fun mid-century style prints of robots made from vintage radios and TV sets. They’re available in eight designs, in a variety of sizes. Awesomer readers get 15% off purchases over $25 with code 15years.

We’ve seen designer David Weeks‘ articulated wooden robots at art museum shops before, but this multi-colored series is our favorite. Each one is made from beech wood and elastic, allowing you to pose them into various positions, including a cube. Sold individually in 4.25″ tall and 6.75″ tall sizes.

Kurzgesagt asks some of the most difficult questions that will become exponentially more relevant in the years to come. Do robots deserve rights? Would they even need or want the same rights that humans have?

We spent a couple of weeks living with the latest generation of Sony’s impressive high-tech robot dog, Aibo, and really are gonna miss the pup now that he’s gone. While he was here, we managed to capture just a handful of his tricks, along with his ebullient personality. Fetch our full review of Aibo on Technabob.