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Rapid advances in robot development are leading to a whole new generation of tools and toys. Below are recent CNET News.com photo galleries of the mechanical wonders.
Newest additions
A Cool Robot for polar duty
The Japanese toy maker unveils a 6-inch biped named i.Sobot--the world's smallest humanoid robot, it says.
March 16, 2007
Salamander robot travels by land and sea
Researchers say building the robot helped them understand vertebrate locomotion and how amphibian movement developed.
March 9, 2007
Tea time with robots
Humanoid machines team up to pour and serve tea--not terribly fast, but you don't have to leave a tip.
March 2, 2007
Under the hood of Stanford's robotic race car
Loaded with high-def sensors, omnidirectional video and mapping software, Stanford's driverless car is no ordinary station wagon.
February 17, 2007
Tomy's tiny two-legged robot
The Japanese toy maker unveils a 6-inch biped named i.Sobot--the world's smallest humanoid robot, it says.
January 23, 2007
Research developments
Robots on the loose at CES
At the gadget fest in Las Vegas, iRobot's newest bot scoots and hoists, WowWee's Panda chats and Robo Elvis looks good in leather.
January 11, 2007
Cornell researchers conjure up a starfish-shaped robot that figures out all by itself what it is and how to move.
NASA has launched two robot observers into space on a two-year mission to capture the first-ever 3D images of the sun's solar storms.
The I-Foot is a prototype vehicle from Toyota that can carry someone and walk.
Combine the right voltage and software program with a flat piece of fabric and you get dynamic physical rendering.
A Norwegian research company is developing robotic firefighting snakes to keep firemen out of dangerous situations.
Robots test search and rescue operations for Department of Homeland Security.
The Ballbot from Carnegie Mellon stands tall and scoots around on a small metal sphere.
Highlights of an exhibition on the application of artificial intelligence in robots.
New "floating" robotic cranes can handle formerly difficult and expensive aircraft-maintenance tasks much more quickly and safely.
Windows-based toolkit offers simulation runtime so developers can aim to create intelligent applications.
Fun and games
Creating a customized iRobot
iRobot is releasing the iRobot Create, a programmable robot for entertainment and education.
January 7, 2007
Robotic Studio software enables owners to program their tribot via the PC, and then control its actions wirelessly.
Cocktail robots mix mojitos, serve snacks, make small-talk and smoke cigarettes at Vienna convention.
If the new generation of household robots has puppy-dog eyes, blame a classic cartoon character named Astro Boy.
Cut from similar cloth as the famous orb, the Nabaztag Smart Rabbit brings wiggly ears to the smart object.
At Microsoft, Lego shows off the latest iteration of its programmable robot technology.
Japan's ZMP which calls its iPod playing device Miuro, short for "music innovation based on utility robot technology."
World Cup soccer matches not techie enough for you? Check out these robo-Ronaldinhos.
Military might
Samsung's gun-toting robot
If you don't know the password, then you could get in serious trouble with this armed and dangerous border-patrolling 'bot.
December 1, 2006
Robots are now being used by the military on dangerous missions in reconnaissance, security and demolition.
Robots are ready for dangerous missions like explosives removal.
These robots can be configured with machine guns.
Robots are being used to detonate or disable confirmed bombs.
Household wonders
Robot doubles as PC
White Box Robotics uses off-the-shelf PC parts to build mobile robots that look a bit like R2D2. White Box's products double as PCs.
December 2, 2006
CNET News.com reporter Michael Kanellos lets the floor-scrubbing robot loose in his house--and gets clean linoleum and lots of laughs.
Evolution Robotics has a navigation system called NorthStar that helps self-propelled machines scoot around the living room.
What would a home of the future be without an army of robots to vacuum the rug, cut the grass and entertain the kids.
WowWee's Roboraptor and Hasbro's I-Dog are expect to be two of the most sought after holiday gifts.
The Wakamaru robot does a variety of household tasks, from security to secretarial.
The ideal pet: they'll work, provide companionship and don't make a mess.
Sit back and let Roomba vacuum your floors.
Scooba is Roomba's counterpart, with a scrubber and squeegee.
A two-legged robot is aimed at enabling people in wheelchairs to go up stairs.
Roborior looks like a light but will call your cell phone when something looks suspicious.
Videos
The Salamander Robot is an experimental machine that can operate in three modes: swimming, slithering and walking.
CNET News.com's Michael Kanellos gets a demo of a few different models.
Watch an example of what the robot is capable of as it attempts to find a piece of foam and pick it up on its own.
Watch Scooba suck up Diet Coke, eat pretzel crumbs and take on the soda machine.
Artist creates robots in response to class divide.
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