NASA recently asked us for help in naming the next Mars Rover. Now Carnegie Science Center needs a name for their new robot, who will greet visitors at roboworld, the world's largest permanent robotics exhibit. You can vote for one of five preselected names in an online poll. Options include naming the robot Isaac after Isaac Asimov, Stanely after Stanely Kubrick, or three other names derived from technology jargon. Fortunately, they also have a small link below the poll where you can submit your own suggestion if you don't like any of the five preselected names. Oddly the winning name so far is Andy, which is short for Android (odd since the robot in question is not an android). In fact, the robot is a humanoid entertainment robot called the robothespian designed for theatrical use and built by Engineered Arts Ltd in the UK. You may have spotted it at recent Maker Faires where it was exhibited. (photo below is from the 2007 Maker Faire in Austin). Read on for the full press release.
The prototype department of Material Beliefs is proposing to expand the growing do-list of household robots by including household pest eradication. While sharing some of the same vibe as your typical bug zapper, these devices are designed to provide both functional removal of pesky nuisances right along with a form worthy of interior spaces. On top of that, these concept machines can provide both conversation ideas and hours of viewing pleasure while entrapping and devouring their prey.
Reader Doug Emes sent us a link to the Guy Robots website which contains a gallery of art robots built from industrial surplus and salvaged parts. Intrigued, I contacted Rich Muller, the artist, to find out a little more. He writes,
I work in the aerospace industry in Los Angeles, and I've been making robots for a few years. Los Angeles is a good place for finding raw material, there are flea markets, swap meets, and countless garage sales every weekend. There are also a number of surplus stores that sell old electronic and avionic equipment, not surprising considering the large amount of aerospace industry in Los Angeles. The old material gets sold to small businesses and garage tinkerers setting up laboratories as well as Hollywood set-decorators and artists. A favorite place is Apex Electronics, where you can find anything from bakelite knobs to a rocket nose-cone. I build and photograph the robots, and my brother, Eric, comes up with the names and bios.
