Robots

Honda's Asimo may be Crave's reigning top-ranked nonviolent robot, but it now has some new, (un)fierce competition from Toyota.

Three big competitors, actually. Toyota demoed all of them during a press event in Tokyo today. CNET News.com has a photo gallery of the robots here.

The most visually impressive is its smooth, eponymous violin-playing robot. According to The Sun, the robot has 17 joints in its arms and hands alone, powered by some serious servomotor action.

Also on display were the Mobina, a wheelchair-like robot equipped with independent suspension for each wheel, and Robina, a three-fingered &… Read more

Remember when Farmer Brown would break out the 12-gauge loaded with rock salt to chase you out of his watermelon patch? Today he could take care of you and other varmints with this weaponized version of the self-stabilized unmanned mini-copter put out by Neural Robotics.

The AutoCopter uses patented "intelligent neural network-based flight control algorithms" for automated flight control, making it the easiest mini-unmanned helicopter to fly and the hardest to crash, according to an article in Defense Review.

Best of all, it's armed with the Auto Assault-12 Full-Auto Shotgun by Military Police Systems, an innovative double-ought … Read more

In other robot news this week, a dream robot has surfaced.

Don't give me a robotic dishwasher. Give me a robot that loads and unloads the dishwasher.

Unfortunately, this is actually a remote-controlled robot, not an autonomous one. It's made by Anybots, a robotics company in California that has entered "Monty" into an art exhibition.

The Float Center and Gallery in San Francisco, Calif., has openings until December 1 for submissions for its Robots as Art exhibition and show.

Where do all the coolest robots hang out? Japan, of course.

The 2007 International Robot Exhibition sponsored by the Japan Robot Association claims to be the largest robotics trade show in the world. The show, which runs November 28 to December 1, serves as a venue for everything from tiny robot toys and educational tools to giant industrial robots that manufacture cars.

This headless-looking robot is actually fully intact. The E-nuvo walk robot from Japan-based ZMP could be thought of as the Japanese version of a Lego Mindstorms robot. Only this line of learning robots, which is offered in basic, … Read more

NOTE: To commemorate the holidays, different Crave experts will be posting their top 10 gadget picks for the season. See what we crave, and maybe you'll get some ideas! Here's the latest installment.

In her free time, laptop expert Michelle Thatcher can often be found testing out the latest kitchen gadgets or hunting down new restaurants. She recently relocated from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which is not unlike moving to a foreign country.

1. Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080HD. It's long been a matter of embarrassment that I, a technology editor, still watch TV on a gigantic box … Read more

What do you get when you combine a guitar loaded with robotic technology with one of the most talented musicians of this day and age? Hopefully, one hell of a show.

Guitarist/musician/former choir boy Martin Luther will be showcasing Gibson's self-tuning Robot Guitar at a free show in San Rafael, Calif.

Luther, who recorded the critically acclaimed album Rebel Soul Music in 2004 and recently toured with The Roots, will play the Bananas At Large instrument store on Monday, December 3.

Following the show, which starts at 12:30 p.m., there will be a public question-and-answer … Read more

NOTE: To commemorate the holidays, different Crave experts will be posting their Top 10 gadget picks for the season. See what we crave, and maybe you'll get some ideas! Here's the latest installment.

Tim Moynihan is a features editor in the San Francisco office. He spends way too much time using the computer.

10. Dough-Nu-Matic About halfway through Thanksgiving dinner, I realized that there was no platter of miniature, freshly baked doughnuts on the table. It was almost enough for me to stop eating turkey and cry gently to myself. Almost. I sucked it up and finished the … Read more

When the iRobot Scooba first came out a couple years ago, I remember thinking, "Dang, that's just the kind of floor-sweeping/vacuuming/mopping gizmo we could use here at Camp Cheapskate" (which tends to be a messy place). But then I saw the $400 price tag and grudgingly reached for my trusty old broom.

Well, proof positive that good things come to those who wait, Woot has the Scooba for just $99, plus a very fair $5 for shipping. However, as with all Woot.com deals, it's today (Black Friday) only, and when they're gone, … Read more

NOTE: To commemorate the holidays, different Crave experts will be posting their top 10 gadget picks for the season. See what we crave, and maybe you'll get some ideas! Here's the first installment.

Whether it's cars, motorcycles, robots, or lifestyle gear, Candace Lombardi is on top of all things mechanical. An avid fan of travel, she's also always on the lookout for the best gadgets to take on the go.

1. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione I told you this would be at the top of my Crave wish list when I first wrote about it. This … Read more