Twa Robotics

A diverse selection of tools is available for programming LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT robots. Three programming environments available from LEGO include NXT-G, ROBOLAB and ROBOTC, and the open source community has developed alternative feature-rich solutions. An eye-opening article by Dick Swan compares and contrasts leading programming environments and related software tools at www.botmag.com. This is a must-read for teachers, students and hobbyists deciding on the best approach to programming the hugely popular NXT robot platform. This article also describes powerful debugging software that will help the NXT programmer.

--Robot

RoboGames, the biggest hobby robotics competition in the world, recently took place in San Francisco, CA. Hosted by robotics leader Dave Calkins, it was a spectacular event that has become a landmark on the global hobby robotics scene. Lem Fugitt, founder of robots-dreams.com, covered this epic competition for Robot magazine. For great images of the action and an inside look at the spirit and technology at RoboGames, visit www.botmag.com.

--Robot

Revell Monogram, a giant in major modeling arenas for decades, and Innovation First, Inc., have partnered to launch Vexplorer, the next generation of an important DIY robotics design system. SolidWorks has partnered with this team and is providing a Student Design Kit in Vexplorer packages  through selected big box and internet channels in North America. To be released this Fall, and see the very latest here.

--Robot

Newly released, the iRobot Create is a robust robot base based on the popular iRobot Roomba and related designs. With over two dozen sensors and included software with ten demo behaviors, this product promises to be a boon to DIY roboticists everywhere. It is programmable out of the box and an optional Command Module greatly expands its ability to accept grippers, sensors and additional computer electronics.

--Robot

The recent launch of the MANOI AT01 humanoid robot kit, featured in the Winter 2006 issue of Robot Magazine, was an instant sellout success in many stores. So it was no surprise when customers turned out with their robots fully assembled and customized to compete in the first Kyosho Athlete Humanoid Cup event in Tokyo. The new robots in this competition are among the most capable, high-performance units ever designed. The event was therefore of keen interest to robot fans everywhere.

--Robot

The new BRAT robot from Lynxmotion provides any hobbyist, student or professional roboticist access to multi-servo humanoid robots at a lower cost than has been offered anywhere before. See a photo essay on construction of the BRAT at www.botmag.com. For the first time any researcher can construct complex, articulated bipedal motion on a relatively low budget, a breakthrough technology.
--Robot

Kyosho raised the ROBO-ONE humanoid robot bar with its announcement of the new MANOI AT01 (hacker version) and PF01 (collector version, designed by Takahashi) humanoid robots. The new robot uses stronger servos and advanced skeletal geometry with resilient plastic brackets, and is considered to be an improvement in humanoid robotic athletes. See photos from a recent press conference in Japan and a complete high res schematic of the MANOI skeleton and components at http://www.botmag.com/articles/manoi_1.shtml

--Robot

Dr. Kenneth Berry, Assistant Professor, California State University and founder of RoboEducators, www.roboeducators.org, is a leading advocate of robotics in education. Dr. Berry obtained an exclusive interview with Microsoft representatives at the RoboBusiness conference. This report is his unique perspective on the significance of the robotics initiatives announced today by Microsoft. Check out http://www.botmag.com/issue3/microsoft_technical_preview_3.shtml

--Robot