"Meant to Shock the World.”

Today a paraplegic, dressed in a metal vest and a blue cap affixed with electrodes, got out of his wheelchair to take the first kick at the World Cup. A gesture "meant to shock the world,” said by Dr. Nicolelis. A demonstration of this caliber is outside of the standard for robotic demonstration. 

The robotic exoskeleton is the brain child of Dr. Nicolelis, a leading scientist in the file of brain-machine interfaces, and was created with a team of over 150 researchers.

The exoskeleton received direct instructions from the individual who is wearing the suit. Paper-thin electrodes within the blue cap worn but the paraplegic records and transmits neuronal information to and from a small computer on the back of the exoskeleton. From there the information is sent to the legs. 

Visit CNN for more in depth information. 

History in the making!

For the first time a robot housed in space fixed its self without any aid from astronauts. Canadarm2 robotic arm, the two faulty cameras on the Canadian built robot was replaced by a series of mini operations performed by the use of its own mechanical hand called Dextre. 

The Canadarm2 had two problems that needed to be fixed. The first, a camera was removed in 2012 by astronauts. The second, a camera connected at the elbow joint was starting to act up. Being that this camera is crucial in the work done by Canadarm2 and the first camera has been out of commission since 2012, the Canadian Space Agency team decided upon using the robotic arm to fix both problems. 

The procedure began with detaching the camera acting up at the elbow joint and reattaching it where the camera was removed in 2012. Then Dextre took a new camera from the Kibo airlock and connected it to its own elbow in place of the old one that was acting up. The cumbersome cameras, around 47 pounds, are about the size of an outdated CRT-style monitor. 

The complicated process includes defined dexterity from Dextre in order to unscrew bolts and bring them back to the Kibo airlock without dropping any. A job of this magnitude was difficult since Dextre had not been set up to repeat tasks. 

Dextre might be the first to repair itself but surely it is not the last. 

For more information visit http://2045.com/news/32894.html

Just Add Water

Owi Salt Water Fuel Cell Monster Truck Kit is a fun educational kit that encourages children to learn about alternative forms of clean energy at the same time building and powering their own monster truck. The Salt Water Fuel Cell Monster Truck Kit is armed with a four-wheel drive mechanical construction that allows each individual wheel to change its angle. This in combination with the trucks ability to its height and shape the Salt Water Fuel Cell Monster Truck Kit can handle a variety of terrain. The transparent body permits children to see the placement and pattern of the piston in either vertical or horizontal position. Just add water and see your monster come to life!

For more information visit http://www.midwesternrobotics.com/robots/

Elektro; the first humanoid robot

Did you know that Elektro was the world’s first humanoid robot? Built by Westinghouse and debuted in1939. Elektro was a seven-foot-tall walking machine that “spoke” more than 700 words and was stored on 78-rpm records to simulateconversation.

Learn more about Robot History at http://www.midwesternrobotics.com/robots/history.asp

Aging, the ever pressing future of the human race. In times past children would care for their elders but with growing technology a new kind of caretaker is born; GIRAFF+. A telepresence robot in constant communication with a network of sensors that will help our elders live safer, more independent and enhance social living in their home. GIRAFF+ is a mobile assistant that not only senses activities such as cooking or sleeping but also medical information to medical professionals. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140505104221.htm

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