Robots Won't Take Over the World, or Will They?

The votes are in! Robot enthusiasts like you have voted on whether robots in the near-future will take over the world. Surprisingly, it turns out that most people think that a robot apocalypse will not occur. So if you have that constant fear of robots taking over, you can rest assure that it won't happen. Well, at least we hope it won't... 

Real Steal in Real Life

Tonight, the SyFy channel's Robot Combat League show will air. Unlike BattleBots, Robot Combat League features robots that can really relate to Real Steal. For example, the show consists of multiple teams, each team has a different humanoid robot, and they battle to the death. In addition, each robot that wins a battle against another robot advances in the overall tournament. If you're interested in viewing a previous episode, then watch the video above!

Terminator Hand is Able to Tie Shoe Laces, Leaves Real Hands Behind

For too long, amputees have had to use primitive hooks and limbs that attach to their arms or nubs. With new technology, however, that will all change. So far, these prosthetic and robotic arms have been able to perform simple, mundane tasks. As opposed to those tasks. Special robotic arms, as opposed to the other ones, can now tie shoe laces. This goes to show how dexterous these arms and hands really are. Even later on as new technology is introduced, these arms will just keep advancing until they match the human hand. Perhaps they'll surpass the human hand in the near future. Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see it in action.

Vote for SimpleBotics on instrutables.com!

In the past, I have won one contest on instructables. With your help and click of a button, I may be able to win the cardboard and duct tape contest. My entry into the contest was the cardboard and duct tape laundry robot. The prizes for this contest include a shirt, duct tape, cutting board, jig saw, and utilities knives. What's in it for you? Well, I'll promise to publish a video tutorial on making robot duct tape art! Thank you and to vote, visit this link. http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-Robot-Laundry-Folder/

Japan to launch their own robot into space by this summer!

Currently, Opportunity and Curiosity are roaming the surface of Mars, and they're the only robots in space. That all ends, however, this summer. According to Dentsu inc. a robot named Kirobo will be sent to the ISS (international space station) to communicate with humans. Dentsu has also stated on their site that the launch will occur this summer, and the robot will be onboard this fall. Now the robot itself has some pretty nifty features built in. For example, it can understand Japanese speech, withstand zero-g environments, and even recognize faces. Aside from all its special features, Kirobo is a robot based of a consumer kit called Ribo. It has also been designed from the same person who developed Evolta ( a robot that completed a triathlon). Kirobo, however, has just been upgraded to be capable of space travel. Thanks for reading and check out the video above!



source: the video listed above

RASSOR, NASA's Robotic Solution for Creating Rocket Fuel in Space

On every space exploration, rocket fuel is vital. As a result, NASA is developing a new type of robot that will mine on the moon. RASSOR is what they call it, and they plan to use this robot to help create rocket fuel in space. Using special claws on each of its sides, RASSOR will dig and mine through the moons soil and gain necessary ingredients to make rocket fuel. Along with this lunar robot, NASA also plans to create miniaturized factories to create the rocket fuel right on the planet's surface. If the RASSOR robot is successful, then astronauts won't have to take any second trips back to earth to refuel. All this will then lead to longer ventures into space.

Robots to help at Fukushima Nuclear Plants

Over the next few decades, Japan will be integrating robots into its task of cleaning up the nuclear power plant mess at Fukushima. Some robots have already been developed. For example, a few tracked robots are equipped cameras and can be controlled via a computer. Others can dive right into wet environments that are hazardous to humans. Even major companies such as Mitsubishi have helped out by developing robots to get the job done. Lets just hope another accident doesn't happen between know and the clean up



Source: the video listed above

The Harlem Shake (Robot Edition)

I know what your thinking, "Another Harlem Shake video, sheesh." Don't panic though, this one is like no other, and it has robots!

Stunning Panorama of Curiosity on Mars (2013)

It's been a while since Curiosity landed on the surface of Mars. Even though a few panoramas have been created to show off Mars and its rover, Curiosity created this one all by herself with here robotic arm. Go to the following URL to see (and play with) the amazing panorama! http://bit.ly/X88Rh9

Little Caesars uses Robots Sign Shakers Instead of Humans

This may sound like a joke, but Little Caesars is using robots to advertise with signs! Even though the job is not a major one, it still qualifies as a job performed by a human. In the video above, you can see a person freaking out and recording the working robot. Please share to inform everyone that the end is near (joking)!

Would you kill a robot?

Would you kill (turn off) a robot even if it pleaded you not to? Back in 2011, an experiment was held to see how people would react to a robot begging not to be turned off. Overtime, the person volunteering would unplug the robot's wires, and one by one, the robot would beg more and start to turn off slowly. Finally, this resulted in a dead robot and a saddened human volunteer. Although, the robot pleaded and begged not to be turned off, the humans still turned it off. Some people, however, had trouble killing the robot. As for others, it wasn't that hard. The point is that even though robots aren't human, people still interact with them in a certain way. Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see the experiment video!



Source: the video listed above

The SimpleBotics logo, Simplified

If you thought the logo was already as simple as it gets, then guess again. With a little more gradient and special effects, I was able to create a better logo. The result is the photo above. Comment below to rate the newest logo. Do you like it or not?

New Blackjack Robot is Capable of Dealing Cards

How awesome would it be if you could play blackjack with a robotic card dealer? Well, now you can! While being completely autonomous, this robotic arm is able to pick up, scan, and deal cards. All though it can deal cards, it does take a few minutes. However, this robot is not even at it's full speed capacity. Maybe later on this robot's real potential willI be utilized. If you're interested in seeing this robot deal cards then check out the video above. Other than that, thanks for reading and follow us on Twitter to stay updated!



Source: the video above

Follow SimpleBotics on Twitter

Hello readers. Today, I am glad to say that you can now follow SimpleBotics on Twitter. By following us, you can stay updated with fresh robotics news everyday. Thank you and visit the link to follow us today!

http://www.twitter.com/simplebotics

New BioQuell Robots Decontaminate Rooms at the John Hopkins Hospital

Usually when a hospital room has to be disinfected, it involves people coming in and doing the job themselves. However, the cleaners at the John Hopkins Hospital are $40,000 BioQuell robots. Their purpose is to clear out "Super Bugs." Since these abnormal bugs are resistant to normal anti-biotics, these bugs can still lurk inside hospital rooms even after human cleaners have disinfected it. Thats where these new robots come in to play. Their cleaning process involves letting Hydrogen Peroxide into the air to make condensation form. Then the Hydrogen Peroxide condensation that forms on the room's surfaces exterminates the lethal bugs. So far, over 4,000 rooms have been disinfected by these robots, and three infected rooms are cleaned each day. Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see the robot in action!

The Top 10 Best Robots of 2012 (with video)

Looking back on the year of 2012 reminds me of some pretty awesome robots. Thats why I have compiled a list that features ten of the best robots from 2012. Thanks for supporting SimpleBotics, and I hope you enjoy the list below!

1. Karatus

• An fully-functional mech-robot
• Allows a person to pilot it via cockpit
• 13 feet tall

2. LS3

• Can carry a payload of 400 lb
• Capable of following soldiers even through rough terrain
• Has well-designed legs that enable to walk on rough surfaces

3. Cheetah Robot

• Can run nearly 30 miles an hour (28.3 mph)
• Created by Boston Dynamics

4. Romo from Romotive

• Developed from the new start-up, Romotive
• Can be controlled via iOS device
• Has "emotions"

5. Baxter

• Can show expressions through its "face"
• Low-cost
• 7-degrees of freedom per arm

6. Nano-quadrotor swarm

• Can maneuver around each other to create shapes
• Small in size
• Sounds like a swarm of bees

7. CHARLI

• Can play soccer
• Can perform Gangnam Style
• Developed by RoMeLa

8. Mint Plus

• Utilizes advanced navigation systems
• Can sweep edges
• Is compatible with micro-fiber cloth pads

9. Disney Humanoid Robot

• Can juggle 
• Is able to catch and throw a ball
• Made by Disney

10. Rock-Paper-Scissors Robot

• 100% winning rate
• Uses a high-speed camera
• Can predict movements of its opponents

Lego NXT robot can fold your t-shirts

Too lazy to fold you clothes? Don't worry this robot has you covered in 3 folds! With just an NXT kit and some cardboard, this robot is able to neatly fold a shirt in less than 4 seconds. Check out the video above to see how this robot makes laundry look easy!

"Official" Poll: Do you think robots will dominate the world

iRobot, fact or fiction? Cast your vote today!

Do you think robots will take over the world?
	Definitely!
	Maybe, it's possible.
	No.
	I hope not :(
pollcode.com free polls

Playing catch with a humanoid robot? No problem!

Usually playing catch is played between two people. As of now, catch can be played with a robot. Developers at Disney Research Labs have created a humanoid robot that is capable of throwing and catching a ball with its hand. To start, a camera locates the ball, then the ball's destination is predicted. Once that is done, the robot's hand is positioned in the ball's predicted destination. Resulting in the robot catching the ball. To see a demonstration, click the video above!

The latest Call of Duty features robotic warfare

Today, Call of Duty Black Ops 2 was released all across the nation. In the newest copy/paste Call of Duty game, robots play a huge role. For example, the cheesy storyline is when the enemies takes control of America's robots, or as the trailer states, "gets the keys." The setting is also in 2025, which gives us a clue that these robots could be right around the corner. In the latest trailer, two quadruped robots and multiple quadrotors are shown. These two robots easily resemble BigDog. In addition, FPS Russia was showing off the quadrotor drones. Even though those types of robots can't carry a gun, I'm sure it won't be long until DARPA reveals one. Thanks for reading and check out the video above to see the robot-friendly trailer!