FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded by inventor Dean Kamen, and is an annual competition that is free and open to the public. The competition encourages students to discover the rewards of science, engineering and technology linked with a variety of non-engineering roles that make the event possible.

The contest, called “Breakaway,” features robots that will kick or roll balls into a goal while navigating bumps in an 8- by 16-meter field. Two alliances of three teams will face off during each round of competition. The teams need to cooperate with some robots while bypassing or overcoming others. Bonus points are earned for each robot suspended in air and not touching the field at the end of the match.

In the 2007-2008 school year, Burlington won second place at the Boston University Vex Bridge Battle Competition.

Students participating in this year’s competition along with the help of adult volunteer mentors, who are experts in their field, parents and sponsors are energized and hopeful the soccer star robot will go on to win both regional and the national competitions. The 2010 championship will be held at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Team Devil-Botz worked long hours after school, weekends and during the February school vacation. Within six weeks mastered the tasks of how to brainstorm, design, construct, program and test their robot before shipping to the competition venue.

In addition to safely working with power tools, FIRST is committed in creating better humans. Knowledge, competition and empathy are comfortably blended with respecting and treating all individuals with kindness. FIRST defines these important life skills as “Gracious Professionalism” and it is encouraged, emphasized and awarded with the Chairman’s Award.

Burlington’s academic team is sponsored by PTC, Mercury Computer Systems, Minuteman Controls and the Knights of Columbus. The team’s fundraising committee is seeking support in order to pay for parts, tools, registration fees, marketing materials and transportation. Local businesses and individuals are urged to help support with donations and in kind contributions of goods and services. For news of the team or to learn more how to donate, visit www.bhsrobotix.com.

For more information about FIRST competition, visit www.usfirst.org.

[Wickedlocal.com]

A separate circuit and body are supplied for each robot: just fix the selected circuit onto the robot base and add the corresponding transparent body.

Tree of Knowledge Robotics Science Kit retails for US $ 29.99!

Along with its numerous off-shoots and films, the sci-fi animation is set in an uncertain period of conflict in which robot vehicles, or “mobile suits,” are captained by children and used as weapons.

“The theme of ‘Mobile Suit Gundam’ contains a passion for the environment that matches with Tokyo’s plan to expand the city’s green areas,” says Yasuo Miyakawa, managing director of the Gundam Character Works department at Sunrise Animation, the program’s creator. “From its beginning, the series told of a time when tension existed between people on earth and those who migrated to outer space as a result of the planet not being able to accept further population growth following environmental degradation and damage incurred by industrialization.”

Organizers are expecting 1.5 million visitors to arrive at Shinagawa Ward’s Shiokaze Park through the end of August to view (free of charge) the thirty-five-ton fabrication of fiberglass and steel up close and mingle at the surrounding booths and stalls selling robot models and t-shirts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Green Tokyo Fundraising Campaign, an organization which will utilize the 800 million yen it hopes to collect by 2010 for such activities as the planting of roadside trees and establishment of lawns within schools.

The statue itself stands about 59 feet (18 meters) tall and is said to be a life-size replica of the same robot from the popular Japanese anime. The head of the robotic statue can twist back and forth, and move up and down. Steam is periodically released from vents on the body. The statue also lights up at night, making it ominously seem as if it is guarding over the city.
The statue will officially be on display in Shiokaze Park in Odaiba, Tokyo until August 31st. An exhibition tent, official souvenir shop, and food and drink stands are available during this time.

A complete behind-the-stage documentary of the Gundam Robot bulding process is available here!

[Via Examiner and Tokyo Reporter]

Working like a micro-GPS system, the NorthStar navigation and positioning system enables the WowWee Rovio Wi-Fi robot to know where it is, locate the position of other objects, and accurately navigate through its environment under its own control.

Got an iPhone? Enter “Rovio Driver” the new application available from Bertrand Leroy on the iPhone App Store.
With a quick download and a few settings, you’ll be up and running in no time.
The free app adds head position / rotation controls and the camera view appears to be much larger than the standard version.

The WowWee Rovio Wi-Fi is now US $ 315,17 (and that’s 10% off its regular price!)

Meet the Insultabotz!

The Insultabotz creeps forward with its six insect-like legs and will avoid objects in its way. It can detect objects with its infrared eye and move accordingly, and while it does so, it insults you!

The Insultabotz robot comes with a re-recordable voice chip that allows you to pre-record any message or multiple messages (up to 15 seconds) and Insultabotz will repeat them in sequence every time it comes to an obstacle. Of course, they do not have to be insulting messages-but Insultabotz is not shy about giving you a piece of your own mind.

Warning! Remember that not only can your parents hear what Insultabotz says, they can record messages on Insultabotz as well.
So, listen carefully, the insult you hear may not be your own.

For ages 14 and up.

Batteries (and insults book) not included.

Insultabotz price is now US $ 69.99 (and that’s 30% off the regular price), so you won’t insult your credit card!

Update: Jun 21st it’s Father’s Day! Don’t you dare giving your dad such a threat a gift !

And I should be one to talk about the “smallest”.

The Tomy I-SOBOT stands a mere 6-1/2 inches tall. The articulated joints give the i-Sobot an incredible range of motion. And, it’s fun to pose.

The Tomy I-SOBOT requires 3xAAA batteries, and Tomy has included rechargeable NiMH Sanyo Eneloop batteries. The remote takes AA batteries (not included). Tomy says it should run for 60 minutes under normal use.

When you power it on, the i-Sobot stands upright. A green “eye” lights up. A blue side-light on the side of the head can be turned on and off separately.

There are two switches on the back. One is for power, the other is a channel selector. The remote control is infrared, and the IR sensor is on the robot’s shoulder.

Tomy I-SOBOT is powered by 17 customs developed servo-motors and 19 integrated circuit chips. He features a built-in gyro sensor and comes fully assembled, ready for action. He can be controlled in a variety of ways: by pre-programmed actions, user programmed actions (done easily with the LCD remote control), or by real-time remote control or voice commands.

Check this video on YouTube about i-Sobot hidden commands by AlphA202303!

The Tomy I-SOBOT it’s now available for US $ 129.95 (28% off its regular price!)

In this episode, they turned on a microcontroller-based project aimed at signal, via a servo motor, incoming mail on a Gmail account.

It’s good starting point for microcontroller beginners, servos integration with open source languages (Python in this case) and a lot more.

As their own forum users abundantly highlighted though, the video talk falls short when it comes to talk about software writing.
Instead, there’s a long survey of different microcontrollers: Parallax Stamp (I’ve used a Basic Stamp back in 1999 and really enjoyed it), Arduino microcontrollers (a proudly italian product) and a few more just like the Kosmos Microcontroller Kit.

Anyway, that said it’s a great tutorial!

Go to Revision3’s Web Page.

Revell Vexplorer is the ideal robot kit for the novice builder. Complete with detailed step-by-step plans, this almost-ready-to-run kit comes with pre-assembled modules making it quick and easy to build. Best of all, your robot is compatible with VEX Motion and Structure parts allowing you to expand and grow your robot.

The Revell Vexplorer comes in a huge well-protected package with a carrying handle. You won’t miss this box on the shelf or under the Christmas tree! Inside the box is a huge styrofoam tray that has each of the pre-assembled modules as well as the compulsory bag of parts needed to finish the assembly.

The foundation of this project is the lower hull that consists of pre-formed and pre-holed aluminum C-channels. The workmanship is excellent. Two of the C-channels are pre-installed on the drive systems (actually serving as the mounts for the axles, motor and drive gears.

But it’s much More Than A Toy!

With more than 300 parts, the Revell Vexplorer allows users to create, experiment, and play with endless combinations of radio-controlled robotic activity. Designed by Revell Monogram, this robotic design system is endorsed by such prestigious organizations as NASA, Carnegie Mellon, and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Young and old electronics and robot enthusiasts will have a blast learning about robotic configuration through hands-on experience. In less than an hour, users can construct their very own robot. Compatible with the entire Vex system, the Vexplorer can be easily expanded using optional Vex accessories and mechanical parts from other Vex machines.

More than a mere toy, the Revell Vexplorer boasts its own built-in spy camera, transmitting live color pictures with sound to any standard television. Utilizing a camera receiver module box, it broadcasts video over distances up to 150 feet. The Vexplorer also makes lifting and moving objects around both fun and challenging. The claw is strong enough to pick up a full 12-ounce can, yet delicate enough to handle a bird’s feather. By simply keeping the claw control held down, the sensitive, soft plastic grip material keeps things clenched. Setting a can of soda back down without dropping it is another story — that takes practice.

Built with a sturdy, metal base, arm, and arm support, the Revell Vexplorer can stand up to its share of wear and tear. It operates with many metal and durable plastic pieces, including four motors and 24 gears, as well as cables, harnesses, tools, screws, nuts, bolts, and more. The six rubber-like plastic tires with tread grips make for easy rolling over most even surfaces. However, getting over some bumps can prove frustrating, if not outright impossible at times.

Price? It’s now 23% off at US $ 229.99!

Check on Youtube for videos like this to get an idea of how the Vexplorer performs:

As you’ll see in the video, the touch interface controls the arms and legs, and even turns the head from side-to-side. It’s kind of a dumb robot though, so there’s no worry just yet that this thing’s taking anything over anytime soon.

The RoboChan, as it has been called, is powered by an iPhone, ad-hoc software (aptly programmed!) and a gorgeous KHR-2HV robot kit (that will set you back some US$ 900)!

Via iPodPalace and via Gizmodo.

Lots of college students spend their semester playing the video game Guitar Hero, but not all of them are lucky enough to work it into their final exams.

Two students expect their new robot to pull the strings that earn them an “A.”

“There’s 18 weeks in a semester, and why wouldn’t you want to play Guitar Hero for 18 weeks, right?” Chee Lor asks.

Lor and Mike Teigen are set to graduate this semester from Fox Valley Tech’s automated manufacturing systems program. They set their final project to the tunes of the Guitar Hero video game.

The catch? They built a robot to hit the notes.

Via: WBAY.com