We are all makers
It’s been an interesting year for robotics.
MAKE Volume 34 was dedicated to robots and featured the OpenROV project, the simple CoffeeBot project and more.
2013 has seen robot making reach a wider audience, as schools, families and kids get in on the act. The line between robot hobbyists and pros got thinner as knowledge, technology and components become more accessible.
Here are a few of my favorite stories, pictures, videos, and projects from 2013.
Robots Rock!
Robots making and performing to music was quite the thing this year.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RBSkq-_St8&w=640&h=360]
Read more >> Compressorhead, the animatronic band.
Here are a few more fun examples.
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- Read more >> Toa Mata Drumbots
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- Read more >> Robot-Assisted xylophone from MakeBlock.
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- Read more >> Ricardo Cid blends technology and music with sculpture.
Wanna Play?
We saw robots playing games and entertaining us, and even a full-contact robot sport!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSax71cn6A4&w=640&h=360]
Read more >> Robots can now play badminton.
More robots and humans playing together.
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- Read more >> Robot Puppet Party at Maker Faire.
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- Read more >> Annika plays with giant robots.
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- Read more >> The art and science of Robot Combat League.
Robots, Robots, Everywhere!
2013 saw undersea exploration become accessible to nearly anyone.
Read more >> David Lang talks OpenROV at TED.
We also saw robots traveling over the ocean waves, through the snow, and into the air.
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- Read more >> Scout Transatlantic drone takes to sea.
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- Read more >> Robots for the Snowpocolypse.
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- Read more >> Sergei takes his aerial drone for a walk.
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- Read more >> Game of Drones.
Strange Shapes
There were some very unusual looking robots this year, slithering and bending their way into the mainstream.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkPeF-sYQ-0&w=640&h=360]
Read more >> Freaky printed soft tentacle robot.
More slithery, slimy, and otherwise unusual robots.
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- Read more>> RobotGrrl’s Botbait Tentacle bot.
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- Read more>> The Nagainia robotic snake project.
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- Reported on Maker Pro Newsletter 8 Virginia Tech’s Cyro jellyfish robot.
Cool Projects and Products
So many cool projects and things to check out. Here are just a few.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cWC-yko_Zg&w=640&h=360]
Read more >> Barman’s Lego Mindstorm robotic hand.
There are many cool projects, but I can only highlight a few here.
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- Read more >> Learn to build a bot. Buy it!
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- Read more >> Arduino launches their own robot kit. Buy it!
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- Read more >> Build your own biped robot.
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- Read more >> Jimmy, the 21st Century robot.
Awesome Robot Builders
When you see an amazing project, just remember that every maker started as a beginner.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n_jZG4fD_w&w=640&h=480]
Read more >> Chris and Walter II.
Everyday people are using robots to do very wonderful things.
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- Read more >> Students help disabled schoolmate with robot locker.
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- Read more >> Family builds museum quality Mars rover.
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- Read more >> Jaime finally completed his Giant Robot Project.
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- <a href="https://makezine.com/2013/11/12/humanity-at-the-core-of-robotics-excitement/" target="_blank">Read more &gt;&gt;</a> Sculptor brings humanistic design to robotics.
What’d I Miss?
There you have my 2013 robot review. Did I miss your favorite project, product, or story? Don’t stand for it! Let me know about it in the comments.
