SPARKFUN ELECTRONICS KIT -- Learn the the basics of electronics

   Sparkfun's Electronics Kit is an Arduino based robotics kit.  It includes everything you need to get started with robotics.  It costs around $100 and it should provide you with hours of entertainment.  Now you can learn how electronic devices behave.

RASPBERRY PI - The Micro controller for the masses

The Rapberry PI attemps to be the microcontroller for the next generation of robot builders.  This little micro computer was built by the Raspberry foundation in order to promote computer science in schools.   It is specifically aimed at kids but it is an easy entry-level product to get into robot building.

ALDERABAN'S NAO NEXT GEN - The sequel to the already popular Nao Robot

   The Nao robot has been in development since 2004.  It was the product of Alderaban robotic's entry into the world of robotics.  The French company managed to make it a stable in the Robocup Competition.  It is one of the best toy robots one could ever wish for.  It is currently being used for research, education and developing new robot/human interactions.  At a price of around 15,000 it does everything from playing soccer, dancing, singing to reading books and drawing.  The Nao Next Gen is version 2.1 of the Nao Project.

THE ANDROID ICS 4.0 MINI PC - The cheapest Sub $100 PC

   Here it is the Mini MK802 Android 4.0 PC.   This little PC is a great android based companion to take anywhere.  It may not fully replace a full blown Android set-top box but it will allow you to stream movies and services such as Netflix, Hulu and others, play games, and others in your television.  What more can you ask for only around $50

OREGON SCIENTIFIC'S MEEP! - A tablet for Kids

Finally an educational Android tablet in the market.   It is developed by Oregon Scientific,  a company that I don't know anything about other than they make some weather clocks?  Well as it turns out they have a 7 inch Android 4.0 tablet.  Now kids can enjoy a rugged tablet so they can watch movies, educate themselves, read books, play games, etc.

FIJIT FRIENDS AND NEWBIES - Dancing bots for girls

Check out the new Fijit friends from Mattel.  They talk, dance and entertain and sometimes annoy.  Fijit friends each have their own personality.  Unique interactions(around 30) and super squishy skin.

NEW TO ROBOTICS? Try CUBELETS - the easy way to learn modular programming

     Well if you don't have a clue how to program a robot or know what an Arduino microcontroller is then I have found the product for you.  It is a fun way for kids and adults to get into robotics without having to do much programming or assembly.  Cubelets attach to each other and then mix all their abilities in order to create a semi-atomatic robot.

SPHERO THE ROBOTIC BALL - Ios and Android controlled toy/Gaming System

Well i have found the latest and most intriguing toy ever.  Let me introduce "SPHERO" by a company called Orbotix.  Sphero is basically a rolling ball with equipped sensors and activities.  By controlling it with your iphone or android smartphone you can play many Artificial Reality games as well as interact with other Spheros.

KURATAS - Life sized robots

     Kuratas are the latest man-controlled robots from japan.  Rumors are that they can be controlled by your iphone.  They are tank-like and can carry 1 person.  Specs say that it can travel up to 10mph (not bad for a 4 ton robot).  The bad news is that they cost around 1.5 million dollars to make and are not available to the general public.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROBOTICS

I found a site that has a brief history on robotics.  I fount this timeline interesting since it explores some robotic-like projects that were in existence way before the invention of electricity.  



Check it out >>> History of Robotics 

TOP 50 ROBOTS OF ALL TIME - Wired Magazine Online

Wired magazine did an article about the best robots ever created.  They recognize the fictious as well as the real ones.  Among the most remarkable ones are Optimus Prime, Roomba Discovery, Nintendo's R.O.B.  , Sony's Aibo, Lego Mindstorms, Astroy and R2-D2

For the full article go to  http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.01/robots.html 

Wired Magazine Issue 14.01  from January, 2006

ROBOTS BLOG

This blog is all about robots.  Come read all about the latest robots as well as the latest toys and gadgets.