Here’s an innovative robotic application! (link to video)

Fun video about a man with no formal higher education in China whose passion is creating robots that simulate lifelike motion with rubbish from the scrap heap.

Microsoft produced the following video to promote careers in computer science at Microsoft, but it’s an interesting conceptual video prototyping example: a fully functioning computer that can independently travel with you!

As an update on the Pleo, which will be in stores early next year, check out this video of the Pleo in action!

Toyota has developed a robot leg that can jump like a human’s, which is an evolution from stiff-jointed robots. This will potentially allow two-legged robots of the future to run faster and handle uneven or unpaved terrain.

[via physorg]

This week, Microsoft announced at the RoboBusiness Conference and Exposition a Windows-based application for academic, hobbyist and commercial developers to easily create robotic applications. Of note, iRobot Corporation, the maker of the cool Roomba Vacuum, programs its robots in Linux.

One Microsoft partner is LEGO: “Microsoft, together with the upcoming LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT, will help further amplify the impact of robotics,” said Søren Lund, director of LEGO MINDSTORMS at the LEGO Group.

Microsoft also is investing in robotics research through the new Center for Robotics Innovation at Carnegie Mellon. [UPDATE: For a tour of CM’s robotics lab, check out this video via Robert Scoble.]

For a video of Tandy Trower, General Manager of the Microsoft Robotics Group, click here.

[thanks, Thorn Stevens]

A robot designed to crawl through the human gut by mimicking the wriggling motion of an undersea worm has been developed by European scientists. It could one day help doctors diagnose disease by carrying tiny cameras through patients’ bodies.

For a video of an early prototype, click here. [via new scientist]

UCSB scientists have been making nanomaterials using a method inspired by a marine sponge. The sponge creates intricate lattices of glass as it grows. The first applications could be ways to make materials for more powerful batteries and highly efficient solar cells at a lower price.

[via futurismic]

[UPDATE (7-18-06):  The Business Innovation Insider has a great roundup of Biomimicry activity, as linked to by IFTF Blog. ]

Swimmers beware this summer! Hammacher Schlemmer is selling a two-foot long radio controlled shark, which replicates the fluid motion of a real shark. The Shark is available in blue or red for $99.95.

[thanks, Oh Gizmo!]

Many who own the Sony AIBO, a $2,000 robotic dog that has personality traits, and speech recognition, believe it to be better than a real dog. It doesn’t need to be fed, or go for a walk to do its business, or need to be cared for while traveling. But, last week, Sony announced that, after six years and sales of 150,000 units, it is killing the AIBO, in an effort to cut costs. The closure of Sony’s entire robotics unit is imminent.

Meanwhile, another robotic toy company is ramping up. It was announced today that the co-creator of the blockbuster toy Furby, toy inventor Caleb Chung, will be joining forces with former Lucas Film President, Gordon Radley, at Ugobe. Based in Emeryville, California, the startup is developing an allegedly revolutionary robotic toy that blurs the line between robot and real life form.

[Update: Ugobe officially launched today (2-6-06) at DEMO, and announced their first product, a baby dinosaur named Pleo. Pleo will cost $200 and be available Q306. Engadget has the details of this amazing lifelike creature.]

In other consumer robot news, Japanese beer company Asahi announced last week that it will be giving away 5,000 refrigerated robots. The robots can remove a beer from a refrigerated storage area, open the can, and pour it into a mug!