Technabob » kondo

Kondo Turtle Robot Crawls Its Way Into Our Hearts

Technabob — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:31:42 +0000

While the robots that have found their way from Japan’s Kondo are of the humanoid, bipedal kind, they decided to go off the board this time, offering up a four-legged turtle-bot.

The Kame Robotto is the first robot in Kondo’s animal robot series, and he’s a cute little bugger. A set of nine servos power along the mechanical reptile, who manages to scurry along much faster than most real turtles I know.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

He also has a few tricks up his turtle sleeves, as you can see from the video clip. Want one? You’ll have to pony up ¥39,900 (about $460 bucks) – and get someone the guys at Japan’s RT Shop to ship you one.

[via Botropolis]

Best Breakdancing Robot Video You’Ll See Today

Technabob — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 03:48:40 +0000

This breakdancing robot video clip should really be titled Breakin’ 2: Electronic Boogaloo.

Are you ready for this? Seriously, are you?…

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

I can’t decide if I’m more mesmerized bye the Japanese dance music or his headspins more. I only wish there were some poppin’-and-lockin’.

[via Geekologie]

God Hand Robot Ready to Get You With His Kung-Fu Grip

Technabob — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Give your robot a hand (or two) with these incredibly complex mechanical digits from Japan’s Crafthouse. Instead of the typical grippers you might find on a hobby robot, Crafthouse’s servo-controlled GOD HANDs give miniature robots a set of flexible digits that work much like their human masters’ appendages.

While each finger can’t be independently controlled, they’re still pretty amazing. Check out the video below to see these marvels of mechanical engineering in action:

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The cream of the crop handmade miniature hands cost a bank-account-draining ¥180,000 (appx $1935 USD), but the craftsmanship and engineering feat alone could justify the high cost for true robot fanatics. And don’t forget you’ll still have to spend another ¥16,000 (appx. $171 USD) per hand on a Kondo KRS-4014SHV servo motor to drive each one.

If your pockets aren’t deep enough to afford a pair of GOD HANDs, Crafthouse is offering a pair of hands called the Melissa Hand Type-1, retailing for “just” ¥60,000 (appx. $645 USD). Because they’re mass-produced, the Melissa hands are quite a bit bigger, so don’t expect to put them on a really small robot. Still, they’re pretty cool.

[Crafthouse via Moriyama's Diary via Plastic Pals]

Build Your Own Robot Kit From Japan

Technabob — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 23:50:58 +0000

[UPDATE 10/31/2006: The Kondo KHR-2HV Robot is now available from importer AudioCubes.]

For those adventurous types, the Kondo KHR-2HV is a complete kit to build your own autonomous walking robot.

The robot features 17 servo motors to control arm, leg and head movements and a lightweight aluminum alloy frame. You can program the robot’s movements from your computer using a USB or Serial connection.

The kit is quite complex and consists of hundreds of pieces and a cryptic Japanese assembly manual, so it’s definitely not for the meek. That said, one avid robot builder has taken the time to put together an English language “how to” guide. Ready for the challenge? You can pick one up for 89,985 yen (appx. $761 USD).

Click to View Embedded Video Clip