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Swarm robotics is a new approach to the coordination of multi-robot systems which consist of large numbers of relatively simple physical robots. The goal of this approach is to study the design of robots (both their physical body and their controlling behaviors) such that a desired collective behavior emerges from the inter-robot interactions and the interactions of the robots with the environment, inspired but not limited by the emergent behavior observed in social insects.

The research of swarm robotics is to study the design of robots, their physical body and their controlling behaviors. It is inspired but not limited by the emergent behavior observed in social insects, called swarm intelligence. Relative simple individual rules can produce a large set of complex swarm behavior. A key-component is the communication between the members of the group that build a system of constant feedback. The swarm behavior involves constant change of individuals in cooperation with others, as well as the behavior of the whole group. (Read the article)

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Roomba is a robotic vacuum cleaner made and sold by iRobot. It is marketed as a Robotic Floorvac. This is a general review of Roomba.

The unit is a disc, thirteen inches (34 cm) in diameter and less than four inches (9 cm) high. A large contact-sensing bumper is mounted on the front half of the unit, with an infrared sensor at its top front center. Besides the on/off switch, there are three buttons on the unit marked ‘S’, ‘M’, and ‘L’. A carrying handle is fitted on the top of the unit. It also comes with a “virtual wall” infrared transmitter unit which can be used to prevent the Roomba from going into areas its owner wants it to avoid. The Roomba operates with internal batteries and requires being recharged regularly from a wall plug, although newer Discovery models have a self-charging base they can automatically find. (Read the article)

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This techno backed video will no doubt get you lusting for a Manoi PF01, if you aren’t dieing for one already.

Manoi is built on the Kondo KHR-1 engine. This means that it has the same physical abilities such as: standing up after a fall, standing on one foot etc.. However, Manoi PF01 is much more than the Kondo KHR-1. The robot movements are surprisingly lifelike and fluid.

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Often times the best way to get information about your Kondo or Manoi robot in English is on web forums (or message boards). Here are a few sites that provide the best tips to get you going:

* Robosavvy.com forums
* IRobot forums
* Robot Arena forums

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Robot maker Kyosho has come up with a model that can be assembled easily even by those with limited knowledge of mechanics. Named “Manoi”, this robot is capable of walking on two feet and kicking a soccer ball. It has a one-fitfh the size of a human body. That’s around 40 cm tall.

Unfortunately there is only a Japanese manual currently available. Some users have taken it upon themselves to use an online translation tool on the PDF document for English instructions. The manual is highly visual, which helps with construction.

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Journalist talks to Dr. Mark Tilden about the evolution of the Wow Wee Robosapien (version 1 and RS Media) Roboreptile, and the power robots have in his home.

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Kondo demonstrated the new KHR-2HV humanoid robot at the September, 2006 ROBO-ONE competition. The Kondo KHR-1 robot is excellent, but the KHR-2HV improves upon it with more controls, gears and servos, along with updated software and looks. The 2HV can even do back flips and cartwheels.

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These are my picks for the top inexpensive robots of 2007. You can’t go wrong with any of these but please note that the Robonova and KHR-2HV are the serious robots in the list while the others are more about usability and fun.

1. Hitec Robonova-1
2. Kondo KHR-2HV
3. Wow Wee Robosapien RS Media
4. Wow Wee Roboreptile
5. Meccano Spyke

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The WonderKit division at Kyohritsu have come out with an interesting affordable humanoid robot kit named PetitRobo X.

The new robot has 9 servo motors and takes from 4 to 8 hours to assemble, based on the builders experience level. And, like all the WonderKit products, the price is rock bottom at 29,988 yen (about $262 USD) at stores in Akihabara.

There’s more information on the WonderKit site (if you can read Japanese).

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Are you in need of a cleaning assistant? Get a robot vacuum, chum! Many of these models sweep, vacuum and mop (some can even tidy your place up when you are out for the night!). Best of all they can get at tough to reach spots since they are so low to the ground, ex. under your bed.

Here is a list of models to compare:

1. Karcher RC 3000 RoboCleaner
2. iRobot Roomba 560
3. iRobot Roomba 570
4. Electrolux Trilobite 2.0
5. iRobot Roomba Discovery SE
6. iRobot Roomba Scheduler
7. iRobot Dirt Dog
8. Metapo CleanMate QQ-2
9. LG Roboking
10. iRobot Scooba 380
11. Microrobot UBOT
12. iRobot Scooba 5800
13. Robo Maxx
14. ExWorks RoboMaid

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