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Sphero Robot Ball Is Smartphone-Controlled
The $129 Sphero robot from Orbotix provides hours of remote-control fun. Developers are invited to use Sphero APIs to design smartphone games.
(Sphero robot video)
It’s called the Sphero, and when it’s not charging in its coaster-shaped station, it’s rolling around on any flat surface, weaving through obstacles and people like it’s self-possessed. Actually, there are several ways to send the Sphero into action. Using an Orbotix-developed UI, any Android or iOS device can use a standard joystick interface, but more interesting is the “drawing” capability, where you essentially draw out a pattern with your finger and the Sphero will then emulate it a couple of seconds later.
I can't resist spherical robots; SF fans (as well as fans of supermarionation) remember the early 1980's series The Terrahawks, which had spherical robots called Zeroids were used to fight the evil witch-like alien Zelda.
(Sargeant Major Zero and Zeroid 18)
More spherical robots! And science-fictional robot references:
- Jollbot Robot Ball Jumps, Bounces And Rolls
Take a look at this Jollbot video for a better look at its unique rolling jumping gait. - Inflatable Spherical Robots May Explore Mars
The proposed devices would have a soccer ball-style surface, with hexagonal solar panels gathering energy. - Spherical Robot Lego Mindstorms NXT-Based
A pretty cool DIY project by Nils Völker done with a Lego Mindstorms NXT robot kit. - Spherical Soft Robots Use Shape Memory Alloys
...we employ soft actuators to controllably deform a robot body, enabling it to crawl and jump on rough terrain. - OrbSwarm Autonomous Spherical Robotics
Take a look as OrbSwarm bots roll around. - Rotundus Groundbot Robotic Spherical Guardian Video
GroundBot weighs just 25 kilograms and rolls easily on its special polycarbonate shell.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 1/14/2012)
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