robot on technabob...

I was surfing around in search of this desktop R2-D2 mini USB can fridge that I recently read about, when I happened upon something much, much cooler than that cooler.

Turns out that this awesome R2-D2 compact refrigerator was apparently made back in 2002 as a promotional prize for an Attack of the Clones contest held at 7-11 Stores in Japan…

I was tooling around over at Chicago’s Bucktown Arts Fest this past weekend, and thought to myself, what are the chances that I’ll actually stumble onto any good geeky crafts? But lo and behold, the first booth I step into had these great handmade robot ceramic cups…

Have you been alienating friends by over-twittering and now need a substitute robot friend to pal around with? Good news, because as of right now, making this talking robot head is well within your reach.

This nifty bot was made by L. Scott Hudson, who put a terrific how-to video up so that like-minded folks could make one too…

Sure, these little robots might not be able to drop-kick or head a soccer ball - but that doesn’t mean they’re not cool. This mini robot soccer (or football depending on your homeland) game looks like lots of fun for you and your friends when you need a break from slaving away in your cubicles…

This guy made a sweet little DIY balancing robot that balances without the help of fancy gyroscopes. It’s kind of like a poor man’s version of the Segway-esque A.M.P.bot, the main difference being that this one falls down a lot.

The robot uses a “simple switch as a sensor and stands on only two wheels with inverted pendulum mechanism…

This is a pretty sweet autonomous robot that employs pencil erasers as bumpers. It’s called No. 2, Champion Autonomous Mini-Sumo Robot (a name that just rolls off the tongue, no?)

It was made by David Cook (not the American Idol winner, though, it’s a different David Cook.) The process of making this bot is detailed, and I do mean detailed, on his website Robot Room…

Welcome Robot 1.5 is a funky little homemade robot that greets people in your absence. It was made by Armanda Lewis as part of 5 Projects in 5 Days. That means she had to make the robot, from start to finish, in only one day.

Welcome Robot 1.5 is red and yellow as an homage to Ironman. When you turn him on, the LED lights come on to let you know he’s in sensing mode…

The Handy robotic arm is meant to lend an extra hand for things like hammering, washing, painting, or kneading. It will be wireless capable and come with USB and midi ports, and employ “fuzzy AI logic” so it can learn your individual preferences.

It is expected to be released in the next couple of years and will be foldable for transport…