Robot Bomb Squad FAIL!!

I thought bomb squads used robots is to extract explosives in a safe manner. When said robot drops potentially-live grenades AND THEN RUNS OVER THEM with its treads, I don't think the robot is doing a very good job.

ROBOT FAIL!!!

The robot was put into action by the San Francisco PD yesterday when they discovered the grenades in a garage. If you skip to the 2:30 mark in the video, you can watch the robot drop a grenade onto the ground, and then at 3:40 you can see its operator direct the bot on top of the grenade, as even the news anchors can't help but ask, WTF?

[via Gizmodo]

8-inch robot wreaks havoc on Denver commuters, Cylon war narrowly averted

 

I laughed my ass off when I saw this.  Reminds me of the famous ATHF scare in Boston.

The Capricans in Denver, Colorado should can consider themselves blessed by the Gods. An 8-inch tall Centurion was spotted near Coors Field park, prompting one citizen to notify the police. You probably know what happened next: adjacent 20th street was closed causing rush hour traffic to pile up, and two hours later, after being unable to determine at the time if it was safe, the bomb squad remotely detonated the little Centurion. Move along, nothing to see here. It's not like they walk among us in human form or anything. Yet.

[Denver Post via Engadget]

New Transformers 2 Devastator Pics

With the new Transformers 2 movie looming around the corner, some pictures of the new robots we will be seeing have surfaced. Check out the new Devastator on the right and the old Devastator from 1986. Talk about a transformation (no pun intended), as the newer Devastator looks extremely bad ass.

I know that on the screen, he'll look even more devastating (pun intended).

[tfw2005 via Gizmodo]

Pixar's Wall-E looks fun

OK. I love animated movies and especially CGI movies, and nobody is better than Pixar. This movie looks like it'll be an absolute riot. I'm looking forward to it even more now.

Kenny Baker Taken To Manchester Hospital

I just wanted to send out a get well soon to our man in the most famous droid in the world, Kenny Baker. Kenny had a severe asthma attack while returning from a sci-fi convention, and the 73 year old actor was taken to a Manchester hospital.

Get well soon Kenny!!!

[Telegraph via Gizmodo]

Kids these days are sooooo lucky

How freakin cool is this....forget for the kids, I want one.

KOTA The Triceratops Dinosaur
(Ages 3 years & up/Approximate Retail Price: $300/Available: Fall 2008)
PLAYSKOOL goes prehistoric with the introduction of the KOTA The Triceratops Dinosaur. Featuring sophisticated electronics, animatronics and design, this 'life-size' baby dinosaur 'comes to life' creating a magical experience for preschoolers. Measuring over 40-inches long KOTA The Triceratops reacts to touch and sound with realistic dinosaur noises and movements. Featuring sensors in eleven areas on his body, KOTA will react to touch by moving his head, tail and horns or giving a friendly dino roar. With KOTA The Triceratops children will enjoy the simulated experience of 'riding' a dinosaur; kids can ride comfortably on his back in a spring-loaded seat, holding onto a handle hidden behind the dinosaur's head. To enhance the fantasy play of going for an adventure on a triceratops, while 'riding' KOTA children will hear fun jungle sounds. Kids can also flip a switch on the handle to play adventure-themed songs while enjoying their prehistoric journey. KOTA The Triceratops comes complete with leafy greens that the dinosaur will 'munch' when 'fed.' And, like a good friend, KOTA will roar back when spoken to. Six "D" batteries are required but not included.

Micro Robot Travels Body, Terminating Blocked Arteries

I think this is truly amazing!!!

The true geniuses at Chonnam National University have created a microscopic robot to be used to clear clogged arteries. The robot has six legs and walks like a crab would, and has the ability to travel 55 yards in 3 weeks. Once it reaches its location, the robot releases medicine to disintegrate the clogged artery. It doesn't even need a built in power source:

"By attaching grafted heart muscle to the legs, the scientists found the legs would bend as the muscle cells contracted. The cells get their energy from sugar in the patient's blood. That means the robot does not need an external power supply, which are often heavy and cumbersome, if not impractical. Because the robot's three front legs are shorter than the back legs, they bend inwards as the heart muscles contract, creating a difference in friction that pushes the robot forward."

How cool is this!!!
Now SkyNet can attack us from within!

[Telegraph via Gizmodo]

Killer Robots Hit The Streets Of Iraq

New Deathbots have joined in the war on terrorism, and are being deployed on the streets of Iraq. The new MAARS (Modular Advanced Armed Robotic System) can connect to the same GPS network as the troops, and will not fire at its control unit.

Skynet couldn't be reached for comment.

[Danger Room via Gizmodo]

Fully Armed Robot Ready For Action

This isn't the first robot to hit the sands of Iraq, but what make this one different is that it's armed. Most robots are used to scout dangerous areas, defuse bombs, ect. But all that has changed, according to the guys at Danger Room blog, the military has developed the "special weapons observation remote reconnaissance direct action system" (SWORDS).

What does all that mean? Well along with all the scout stuff that comes with the standard robot, this one comes with M229 machine guns.

Wow, now robots will be chasing down insurgence in the hot desert!!!
Cool!!!

[Danger Room via Gizmodo]