Robots on your iPad!

Those at IEEE Spectrum magazine created a new Robot iPad app for robot fans. For younger and older generations who are interested in Robots, this new app is right up your ally. Photos and cool video that are perfect for children and interviews of well-known roboticists for older users, this app is for you!

Bebionic3 Myoelectric

The new bebionic3 myoelectric hand is the most advanced prosthetic arm. This hi-tech carbon fiber hand is controlled with the muscle activation in the upper arm. Six years ago Nigel Ackland was in a life altering accident and has since been fitted with the Terminator-like mechanical hand. This revolutionary robotic arm has helped to make advancements in modern medication. 

Read more about the robotic arm at : http://news.cnet.com

Elenco Space Nine

The Elenco Space Nine is an eight-legged alien explorer with the capability to walk on moon like surfaces. The wireless infrared remote makes the first and third legs move with the second and fourth leg on the opposite side. With the ability to turn left; right and cross rocks the Elenco Space Nine will provide hours of fun and learning.  

Jules Poincare

“It is through science that we prove, but through intuition that we discover.”  Jules Poincare

The Elenco ® Titan Tank Robot

The Elenco ® Titan Tank Robot is a wireless robot that assembly that requires no soldering and teaches the basics of mechanics. The infrared control robot kit has a microprocessor that provides 4 different channels that allow the Titan Tanks to fight each other at the same time. The Titan Tank has a ability to shoot its opponent with 8 different shots and will notify its user by turning 360 degrees and making a siren sound when hit. With the use of 6 wheels the Titan Tank is able to move forward, backward, right and left for a total of 8 movements which provide endless fun and imagination.

Did You Know...

Did you know that in 1959 MIT established its first Artificial Intelligence Laboratory? Marvin Minsky and John McCarthy are credited for the opening of the laboratory. 

The OWI Soccer Jr. Robot

The Soccer Jr. Robot by OWI is an award winning robot used to catch and shoot a ball (included). A third motor has be added to power the six operational legs, a retrieving and kicking mechanism, and wired controller to activate movement, and ball control. With easy to follow, step-by-step instructions allow you to build this exciting interactive robot.

For ages 10+ this robot will provide hours of fun playing games, tournaments or surprise friends with great moves. Helping to develop hand/eye coordination our highly acclaimed set of instructions allows you to learn and explore.

 

 

Midwestern Robotics offers robot toys in Minnesota including the Soccer Jr. Robot by OWI.

 

 

 

 

 

Minnesota First

"To transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."

Dean Kamen, Founder

FIRST is an organization founded to inspire our countries youth to be leader in science and technology by providing mentor-based programs that allow children to explore science, technology and engineering. FIRST helps foster a sense of pride, confidence, communication and leadership.

The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges teams to solve a common problem within six weeks with using a standard parts kit and a general set of rules. The robots will be entered into a series of competitions. The first competition was held in 1992 at a New Hampshire high school gym and now involves more than 2,300 teams competing in more than 50 Regional, District and State events.

Find Minnesota First Robotics news at:  http://www.mnfirstregional.org/mshsl

iBotz Hydrazoid Robot Kit

The iBotzHydrazoid Robot Kit is a wonderful little robot that uses basic hand tools to provide a fun learning experience for your little engineer. This unique robot features an adjustable sound sensor that prompts the robot to walk for 15 seconds and fiber-optic antennas that gives the robot an alien appearance. 

 

 

 

 

For Robot Kits in Minnesota visit Midwestern Robotics

Did you know....

Did you know that in 1951 the first tele-operated articulated arm was designed by Raymond Goert? Created in France for the Atomic Energy Commissions by using steel cables and pulleys the arm was a major achievement in force feedback technology.  

Curiosity the Rover

Years of careful planning and months of anxious anticipation has finally came to a head early Monday morning when Curiosity the rover was gently lowered to the surface of mars. All that was involved from the successful landing to hitting the tiny window of time in which everything needed to be performed were all performed by the system in flight or by the rover itself. Resulting in a large victory for fusing robotic technologies into rocket science.

Robots in 1942

In 1942 the word "robotics" was first used in a short story, Runaround, written by Isaac Asimov. Who also defined the 3 points of conduct for robots. This was known as the Three Laws of Robotics and was used as an unifying theme and organizational tool for Asimov's fiction. These laws are:

• A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
• A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders conflict with the first law.
• A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second law.

fischertechnik Basic Cart kit

Building and constructing toys provides children with the opportunity to experiment and create. Different construction toys offer different learning and problem solving. Construction toys and kits promotes development of fine motor skills by using precise hand movements.

One of the best construction toys is the fischertechnik Basic Cart kit, which makes 3 different models. Designed for children 7+ the kit allows your child to create what is in their imagination.The kit features go-cart fitting set of wheels made for every terrain, monster quad and center pivot steering. There are 50 components available for your child to develop their knowledge and capabilities with these sets.

                                       For Robot Kits in Minnesota visit Midwestern Robotics

TRC

The Tactical Robot Controller (TRC) is the newest innovation from QinetiQ North America’s Unmanned Systems Group. The wearable controller is lightweight and allows many robots to be directed by one controller. The Marine or Soldier is able to control a unit of unmanned ground vehicles, unattended ground sensors and a variety of unmanned air transportation units.

The operator effortlessly attaches the TRC with its communications pack for the manless system that they want to direct to their body armor, selects the application and begins to direct the platform. The TRC allows the user to move around the battlefield with ease or can be mounted in vehicles to easily enable control from the vehicle while the operator is safe within armored vehicle.

Robot Film Festival

“There doesn’t exist a person who makes robots today that wasn’t inspired by characters like those in Star Wars or Astro Boy. And it works both ways. What motion graphics or 3D artist doesn’t have a robot on their reel? There is so much creative energy in these fields. I want to foster that connection between design and robots. It’s these connections that give meaning to work.”
-Heather Knight

The 3LD Art & Technology Center in NYC hosted the second annual Robot Film Festival earlier this month. This year’s theme was: “Are Robots Man’s New Best Friend?” The day started with a screening of the Sundance Film Festival winner Robot and Frank. and ended with a robot red carpet and awards.

The festival was the brainchild of roboticist Heather Knight, who is currently running Marilyn Monrobot Labs in NYC while working on doctoral research at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotic Institute. Knight started the festival with the desire to intertwine traditional science and engineering with amusement and celebration.

Nurture Your Child’s Creativity with Robot Toys

Everyone is creative.  Some are born with creativity that is easily seen - dancing, painting or singing. According to Webster’s Dictionary creativity can be defined as the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations.

We cannot teach our children to be creative but we can provide them with the tools to nurture their creativity.  Robot toys and construction sets are a wonderful example of tools to nurture creativity.

Encourage your child to explore their environment through play. The toys of today help to stimulate minds and make learning fun.

Follow Me Robot

Talk about a little shadow following you? Follow Me Robot is exactly that! This little robot is a sound detecting robot. He has four built in microphones that detect the sound source and then he moves towards it! Clap and he’ll come! For ages 14 and up, this is a great summer project.
For Robot Kits in Minnesota visit Midwestern Robotics

Make Time for Robotics

Have you ever though robotics is “boring”!  We don’t feel that way, but some people do.  We do know that if it is presented in the right way, robotics is fun, fascinating, intriguing….you get the idea.
Teach the fun side of robotics while children are young.

We suggest “robot time”:  especially during the summer, when children are out of school and looking for interesting things to do.  Set aside robotics time each week with your child.  There are affordable robot kits from Midwestern Robotics that make great science activities. 

What have you got to lose?  The notion that robotics is boring!

Robot Toys

Check out Midwestern Robotics for great robot toys!