This colorful and playful series of USB flash drives consists of six different models in various shapes and colors – all designed to look like cute little toy robots.

They come with a 2 gigabyte large storage capacity and their LED eyes lit up when you plug the USB stick into a computer. There are the six different colors you can choose from: yellow, black, blue, pink, red and white.

The AntDesignStore Robot USB Flash Drives are available over at the Geek Stuff 4 U website for ¥6,000 YEN (about $63 USD) a pop.

This awesome little manga inspired robot has been created by a Japanese person who goes under the nickname Clockwork and who is a true fan of the manga culture and robotics.

Check out the video to see this amazing coffee making robot in action:

The robot is a reduced version of Kondo KHR-2HV and it uses 20 digial KRS-788HV servos plus one GWS-PICO-STD servo motor and they are all controlled by a PCB located in the head.

Head over to clockwork.shikisokuzekuu.net for more photos of this cool manga robot.

Thanks to Francesco over at Hobbymedia!

With this cool DYI solar robot kit you will get six types different robots for the price of one.

This “do it yourself kit” is a great beginners introduction to solar power technology and the end result is your very own little robot. There are 6 different ways to build it, so you could have a robot dog one minute, or a boat for your bath the next. If either of those don’t do anything for you then why not build your own little plane (moving or still), windmill or solar powered car.

The good news is that you don’t need a degree in robotics to start with, or have to try and figure out which screw is A678b and how part D456 slots into F9097a. The diagrams are big and very easy to follow, there are only 25 parts and no screws are involved.

You can build:

• Robotic Dog
• Boat
• Moving Plane
• Car
• Windmill
• Desktop Plane

The 6 in 1 Solar Robot Kit is available from the Red5 website for £13 (about $21 USD).

This USB mouse can be transformed into the shape of the Trypticon character and it will look great together with the Optimus Prime Transformers 4-Port USB Hub.

The 3-button 800 dpi Transforming Laser Mouse is compatible with Win98/Me/2000/XP/Vista and Mac. The product is available from the Bigbadtoystore.com website for $59.99.

Via a bunch of great blogs:

• GadgetLite
• GadgetReview
• Gearfuse
• Geeky Gadgets
• Gizmodo
• Hardware Sphere
• Likecool
• SlipperyBrick
• Techfresh
• Ubergizmo

It’s not the first time this tin can astromech droid gets filled with water. Last year we could see R2-D2 as an aquarium with a built-in periscope, and now the design of the popular Star Wars robot has been used for a water bottle.

You simply tilt R2-D2’s head back to take a sip from your plastic science fiction inspired bottle, or to fill it up with water – or anything else you would like to drink.

The Star Wars R2-D2 Water Bottle will be available in April 2009 from the Japanese company Tanomi for ¥3,300 yen (about $37 USD).

(Via Technabob)

Fans of the Transformers robots will soon be able to get their hands on a new edition of Takara Tomy’s classic Transformers wristwatch that was first released in the 80s.

The LCD on the watch features 170 LEDs to display rudimentary graphics which depict a smiley face, sleepy face, or the Autobots symbol. The watch also displays the time and various letters on the LCD.

Here’s a video of the original watch from 1983:

Two versions of the Chrono Label will be released – a Cybertron Autoceptor version and a Destron Time Limit watch which displays the same dot graphics.

The Transformers Chrono Label watch can be pre-ordered from the NCSX shop. The product will ship in mid-late August 2009 and the price is set to $290.90.

Honda has tested a 49-foot replica of their ASIMO humanoid robot, that’s 12 times the height of the original. The animated replica will be a guest of honor at the 120th Rose Parade as well as kick off Honda’s 50th anniversary of U.S. operations.

The creation called “Hats Off in Celebration” will be completed with natural materials like lettuce seed, rice, carnations and strawflower. The float will be joined by the Prairie View A&M University Marching Band, a past participant in the Honda Battle of the Bands featuring the music programs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

A few members of the band will ride on the float, which will be immediately followed by the entire marching band. In addition, during the parade the FCX Clarity pace car will be accompanied by the Honda Super Cub motorcycle, the first model sold in the U.S.

For more information about Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot, head on over to honda.com and make sure to check out the official Honda YouTube channel.

We’ve seen the Transformers, Superman, Batman and Darth Vader do it. Now it’s also time for Pixar’s trash-compacting robot Wall-E to take the shape of a laptop to teach your kids about about maths, grammar and other important stuff.

Young space explorers will discover 15 activities in five modes of play teaching letters, words, math, logic and games. The Wall-E Learning Laptop comes with a flip-down QWERTY keyboard, moving arm controllers, an LCD screen and a “winking” right eye.

The Wall-E Learning Laptop is available from VTechKids.com for $29.99.

(Via Gearlog)

The modular dwelling system “Walking House” is capable of moving in speeds of up to 60 meters per hour and it enables persons to “live a peaceful nomadic life, moving slowly through the landscape or cityscape with minimal impact on the environment.”

Here’s a video clip showing the Walking House in action:

It collects energy from its surroundings using solar cells and small windmills. There is a system for collecting rain water and a system for solar heated hot water. A small greenhouse unit can be added to the basic living module, to provide a substantial part of the food needed by the Inhabitants. A composting toilet system allows sewage produced by the inhabitants to be disposed of. A small wood burning stove could be added to provide CO2 neutral heating.

Technical specifications (basic module)

• Height: 3.5 meters
• Width: 3.5 meters
• Length: 3.72 meters
• Weight: 1200 kg
• Max speed: 60 meters/hour

Head over to the n55.dk website for more info about the Walking House.

(Via SlipperyBrick)

Simply press the nose on Kim, an alarm clock inspired by mid-20th century science fiction, and her eyes light up red as she states the current time with her robot voice.

With her gold metallic curls, green speaker mouth and her dedication to announcing the precise time whenever prompted, Kim the Talking Clock is sure to be a favorite with humans everywhere. Added bonus: set the alarm and wake up to a recording of a rooster crowing.

Kim the Talking Robot Alarm Clock is available from UncommonGoods for $56.

Kota the Triceratops, the 3 foot tall plush animated robot dinosaur that your child can ride (if they are 60 pounds and under), is now available in the USA and Europe.

The 37-pound Triceratops robot wags his tail, opens and closes his mouth, wiggles his horns, makes dinosaur sounds and plays songs and sound effects for your child.

Watch the video to see Kota’s impressive movements and facial expressions:

Kota the Triceratops has been spotted at these major retailers:

USA

• Amazon ($299.99)
• Hammacher Schlemmer ($399.95)
• Target ($299.99)
• Toys R Us ($299.99)
• Sears ($299.99)

United Kingdom

• Amazon UK (£289.90)
• Firebox (£299.95)

For pictures, videos, technical specifications and more, please visit the Kota the Triceratops section over at the Robots Rule website.

Remember that cool Amphibious Robot Snake that was covered here at GeekAlerts back in June? It looks like that snake has a sister named Anna Konda, living on land and spending her days fighting fires.

The robot is to our knowledge the biggest and strongest snake robot in the world and also the first water hydraulic snake robot ever constructed.

Here’s a video demonstration of Anna Konda in action:

Technical Data

• Length: 3 m
• Weight: 75 kg
• Number of DOFs: 20
• Angular flexion in each joint: +/- 33 degrees
• Actuators: Water hydraulic cylinders
• Max system pressure: 100 bar (1450 PSI)
• Max torque (at 100 bar): 300 Nm

Visit SINTEF for more info and photos of Anna Konda – the Firefighting Snake Robot.

Via a bunch a great blogs:

• BotJunkie
• Gadget Venue
• Gearfuse
• Geeky Gadgets
• Gizmología
• SlipperyBrick
• TechFresh
• Ubergizmo
• UberReview
• Walyou

A brand new review by one of the first owners of WowWee’s revolutionary Rovio home spy robot has just been posted over at the great Robots-Dreams.com website.

This video shows the reviewer taking Rovio on a tour of his house highlighting its high quality video feed along while showing off ability to turn and move around objects:

The Rovio review over at Robots-Dreams.com covers all the main features of the robot, including ease of setup, the robot’s main components, the charging dock and the TrueTrack beacon system. It also explains Rovio’s web interface; complete with extensive magazine quality photographs of the sleek and powerful robot.

More about this robot in the WowWee Rovio section at robotsrule.com.

Wrex The Dawg, WowWee’s cool robot junkyard dog (previously featured here at GeekAlerts), has finally popped up in online stores in the USA for ordering.

Amazon.com has it available for about $140. Hammacher Schlemmer has it with an expected ship date of 9/26/2008 and a price of $130. Buy.com has a free shipping offer, but lists it as “Temporarily Out Of Stock” at a price of $150.

About WowWee’s Wrex the Dawg

Wrex the Dawgs behavior depends on his moods and desires. His three moods Happy, Angry and Crazy and three desires Exercise, Call of Nature and Hunger are expressed in Wrex the Dawgs crazy slot machine eyes. You will always know what he is thinking and feeling.

Lift up his back panel to reveal the re programming buttons. You can program him to behave like a cat, perform wild actions or even dare to disobey your commands. Wrex the Dawg scampers around on his hind wheels. Take him for a stroll or let him roam around freely and he will change his moods and desires, just like a real dog.

Features

• Wrex the Dawg robotic dog/ 9 motors/ IR sensors/ speakers
• 16 eye icon combinations/ 4 icons for each eye
• The three moods and three desires are expressed in lucky crazy slot machine eye
• In guard mode he becomes a mean junkyard dog and warns when strangers approach
• Scampers around on his hind wheels/ slot machine eyes and ears that twitch/ remote controller requires 3 x AA size batteries/ not included

Head over to Robots Rule for a detailed WowWee Wrex The Dawg review with video.

Earlier this month we saw the Shiny R/C Dalek and now fans of the British 60s sci-fi TV series “Doctor Who” can wake up with an alarm clock version of the Skaro habitant.

It is officially licenced by the BBC Doctor Who series, this Dalek shouts “Exterminate”, “You would make a good Dalek” or “You are an enemy of the Daleks, you must be destroyed” to wake you up in the morning.

Other features are flashing white ears, a flashing blue eye and blue LED lights on the feet. Turn off the alarm by pushing it’s head that activates pressure pads in the feet.

Features:

• One Talking Dalek Alarm Clock
• Officially licenced by the BBC
• 8 inch high size
• 3x classic phrases spoken
• Dalek ears glow white
• The eye glows blue
• Push head to turn alarm off
• LCD clock
• SET/MODE buttons
• Blue LEDs on feet
• Pressure feet pads turn alarm off
• Supplied in an attractive open window box
• Not suitable for children aged 3 years and less
• Size: Talking Dalek Alarm Clock H 20.3cm x W 13.0cm x D 16.5cm

The “Talking Dalek Alarm Clock” can be purchased from Otherland for £15.95 (about $29 USD) or from I Want One Of Those for £29.99 (about $55 USD).

(Via Toyology)

WowWee’s first female robot ever, Femisapien, is now available for purchase for $99.99 USD. She’s been spotted for sale at Amazon.com, Target and WowWee’s online store.

About the Femisapien, also known as E.M.A. the Kissing Robot:

Sophisticated and independent, her advanced design and AI allow her to move in distinctly fluid ways. She is intelligent and interactive, speaks her own form of Femmish and responds to user gestures, touch, and sounds with her own. She can even interact with and control other Wowwee robots.

Tilt her head to access her three main function modes: Attentive Mode with interactive wandering, seeing and hearing functions, Responsive Mode for walking and scripted actions, and Learning Mode where she remembers exactly how you move her. FemiSapiens hands have control switches you touch to change her motion, or activate with gestures she can see.

Here’s a video clip of her showing off some moves at CES 2008:

Features

• RS Femisapien has three main function modes, each corresponding to a different head position; tilt her head in the desired direction and her function mode will change
• In Attentive Mode, RS Femisapien interacts directly with you; she will slow pose, be your back-up singer, introduce herself, dance with you, and even blow kisses
• RS Femisapien features responsive 4-way joystick hands; each hand can be moved forward, backward, inward or outward to initiate various actions
• Acts as your own personal back-up singer with her Shoop feature; sing aloud or play music, and when in range, within 1 m, of any sound source, she will move her hips and arms to the music and sing a back-up tune.
• Comes loaded with 36 functions and 20 interactive routines, so you will constantly be entertained; there are also hidden functions to explore

Visit Robots Rule for reviews and more info about the WowWee Femisapien Robot.

Someone has turned the shiny Cyberdyne Systems Terminator robot into a DVD player.

I guess there’s only one small problem when having a Terminator Skull DVD Player in your living room; you’ll never remember anything from the movies you watch, since you have such an awesome looking DVD player starring back at you.

Via a bunch of great sites:

• CraziestGadgets
• Engadget
• Notcot
• TechFresh
• UniqueDaily

This cool looking “digital” clock, created by Software architect Steve Norris, uses a robot arm and 14 numbered cards to display the current time.

All the digits needed to display the time are located on cards positioned in a semi-circle around the left and right sides of the arm. The time itself is displayed in front of the arm. This gives the clock a “Stonehenge” like appearance. There are a total of 14 cards. Each card has two digits with one on each side. The software planner determines which card and which side is needed to display the time and then sends the necessary movement commands to the arm.

Here’s a video demonstration of the Stonehenge clock:

The video shows a time update from 12:09 to 12:10. It demonstrates all the basic movements needed to display the time. If you watch carefully you can see it execute the following movements.

Head over to the Norris Labs website for more information.

(Via OhGizmo)

Robot maker CrabFu is using spare servos from R/C aircraft to create his cool little robots. One of his most recent creations is this tortoise.

The plastic used for the legs is called Shapelock, a material which becomes moldable after you heat it up to at least 150 degrees.

Here’s a video demonstration of the radio-controlled tortoise:

R/C Tortoise is a very simple r/c tortoise “bot” with direct control, using a 4 channel radio system. It uses 4 sub micro servos, and each axis of the transmitter stick controls a servo.

See more photos of the R/C tortoise and other creations at crabfu.com.

(BotJunkie via UberReview)

I’m sure you are all familiar with the Evolution of Dance video. It’s still the most viewed video of all time over at the YouTube website.

Well, the guys working on the upcoming MechRC humanoid decided to do their own robot version of the famous video. Check it out:

For more information about the MechRC, visit the mechrc.com website.

(RoboSavvy via Gizmodo)