2008 Suzuki Hayabusa

Suzuki brought out the new 2008 Suzuki Hayabusa and there is more displacement, 1340cc versus the old 1299cc. Like the new B-King, the rider can choose between engine settings, but the Hayabusa rider has a choice of three instead of the B-King’s two, there’s probably something labeled “light speed” on the Hayabusa.

A Hayabusa with more power is certainly no surprise and if you are riding a ZX-14 you may want to check your mirrors, objects may be a lot closer than they appear, … and about to pass. We’ll see.

Full features and specifications from Suzuki press release follow:

New

Redesigned instrument cluster now features four analog meters for speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge and water temperature with a new S-DMS mode indicator, gear position indicator and adjustable engine rpm indicator.

New Engine

• New 1340cc, DOHC liquid-cooled engine with 16-valves, Twin Swirl Combustion Chambers provides 11% higher performance and smoother operation
• New Suzuki SDTV fuel injection system with dual injectors per cylinder and ram air intake with large volume airbox
• New S-DMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector) allows the rider to choose from three different engine settings depending on riding conditions or rider preferences
• New lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves with narrow 14 degree valve angle for high combustion chamber efficiency
• New lightweight titanium intake and exhaust valves with narrow 14 degree valve angle for high combustion chamber efficiency
• New lightweight aluminum alloy pistons feature a revised shape and a higher compression ratio of 12.5:1 for maximum performance in all conditions.
• SCEM (Suzuki Composite Electro-chemical Material) plated cylinders minimize cylinder size and improve heat dissipation and new hydraulic cam chain tensioner for reduced mechanical noise
• New ventilation holes at the cylinder skirt for reduced pumping losses and increased performance
• High efficiency curved radiator now features dual electric fans controlled by the ECM for increased cooling capacity. Oil cooler now has 10 rows cores for increased heat dissipation.
• New large volume 4-2-1-2 exhaust system with a large capacity catalyzer, dual triangular canisters and closed loop system that meets Euro 3 and Tier 2 regulations
• New Shot-peened chrome-moly steel connecting rods for maximum durability
• Ion plating treatment utilizing PVD (physical vapor deposit) method is applied to piston rings providing a smoother surface treatment for increased durability, reduced friction loss and reduced oil consumption
• Slick shifting 6 speed transmission working in conjunction with an innovative back torque limiting clutch for smooth and controlled downshifts

New Chassis

• All new aggressive aerodynamic fairing design with low drag coefficient retains it’s signature Hayabusa look and features an updated, muscular look to work with the new more powerful engine and updated chassis
• New fully adjustable inverted front fork featuring DLC coated inner tubes for minimal friction resistance and outstanding suspension performance over a variety of riding conditions.
• Fully adjustable rear shock absorber with a 43mm piston and 14mm rod diameter
• Lightweight and rigid twin-spar aluminum frame minimizes weight while maintaining high torsional strength
• New bridged aluminum alloy swingarm features a new cross-sectional shape for increased rigidity and to cope with improved rear tire grip and increased engine output
• New radial-mount front brake calipers for maximum braking performance and allows for smaller 310mm front brake rotors resulting in reduced unsprung weight and improved handling
• Lightweight single piston rear brake caliper working in conjunction with a new larger 260mm rear brake disc
• Newly designed wheels mounted with high performance Bridgestone BT-015 tires for unmatched handling and control
• Passenger seat and rear subframe are lowered for improved passenger comfort
• Fuel tank height is lowered to allow riders helmet to tuck in and windscreen height is increased for improved wind protection and optimum aerodynamic efficiency with the rider in place.
• Newly designed vertically stacked twin headlights provide increased light intensity, improved light distribution and match the elegant flow of the new Hayabusa styling.
• LED taillight utilizes a double lens structure with a clear inner lens and a red outer lens for maximum visibility and a high quality finish

Honda NAS

Honda NAS

Make Honda
Model NAS
Concept year 1999
Production year -
Engine 1000cc V-Twin

Design started on the Honda NAS motorbike concept in 1999 at Honda's research and development department in America.

NAS, standing for New American Sports, was intended to push the boundarys of sports bike design for the American market.


Designers of the NAS realised that the overwhelming majority of sportsbikes had been initially designed and engineered for the track, Honda bikes included, their intention was to try and offer another option, a sports bike built for the road.

The NAS Designers also wanted to create a machine with more personality which would be easier to make a bond with, a mischievous face can definitely be made out hiding in the headlight fairing.

However the NAS was not all about form, some of the most ingenious engineering solutions in the motorcycle market were seen on the NAS.
For example the unique mono-arm suspension is constructed of carbon fibre and aluminum, with the damper and spring neatly enclosed within a massive steering head.

Aerodynamic canopy for your sports bike!

Aerodynamic canopy for your sports bike!


Written by: Yogesh June 10th, 2008

Yes you heard it right, now there is an aerodynamic canopy for sports bikes called Rocketshields.

According to the inventor of Rocketshields, David Fermil, the project started with the aim to keep the rain off of David’s face, while commuting daily from Ensenada, Mexico to San Diego.

However it has now evolved into a product which not only protects him from rain and mist, but also from hot winds.

According to David, the canopy can withstand winds at 150mph and still maintain good all around visibility. Add to that one doesn’t need to install any extra mounts or bolts and rocketshield can easily be fixed on stock front and rear mountings of your motorcycle.

While I have to admit that it does look futuristic and would certainly attract a lot of attention, I am not quite sold at the idea of supporting one on my motorcycle.

You can find more about the canopy by visiting Rocketshields official website or by emailing David at david.fermil@rocketshields.info.

2009 BMW S1000RR is official

riginally codenamed the K46, BMW released photos to the German press this morning of what is now called the S1000RR. Dates for when the bike will be hitting dealer floors is still unknown, though homologation rules give BMW until December. BMW has also said the road version is to have traction control. We think it looks fantastic with subtle touches of German flourish. That said, we're curious to see how BMW incorporates its trademark offset headlights. No word on heated grips either. (UPDATE: a transcript from BMW's General Director has been released, stating that only 1000 S1000RR's will be built by the end of next year.)

SPORTS CARS

TESLA ROADSTER

One look at this baby and I am sold! Red never looked hotter and greener!

The Tesla Roadster is an all sleek, all American, 100% electric car that does 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 sec! Needless to say, it has won every award since its debut including the cleanest startup award for 2007 from TechCrunch !

The Torque curves of Roadster are, of course, stellar. They are promising peak torque even at 0 RPM! So, no auto gear changes and high energy efficiency even for the highest acceleration possible !! Apparently, it is alarmingly quiet for the kind of acceleration and power it provides ! That is amazing!!

You know what else is cool ? Its carbon foot print ! It is all electric so you only need to look got your state board’s carbon chart to worry about . I found out from his blog that the CEO of Tesla powers his home off of a solar panel grid !

The looks are a killer and the price is north of 100G but, given its startup mode, it has been sold out every year so far!! That truly speaks for how cool this car is !

A 5000 USD refundable deposit starts the process and locks in price. An additional 50 grand would lock in your delivery date as well.

LAMBORGHINI



My personal favorite : Lambo Murciélago LP640
Click on the Image above to see other images.
Engine Type: 12 cylinders V 600
Compression Ratio 11:1
Maximum Power: 471kW(640 PS) AT 8000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 660 Nm AT 6000 rpm
Emission Control System: Catalytic convreters with lambda sensors
TOP SPEED: 340km/h
Permanant 4-wheel drive and electronic traction control system
$$$: ??


BMWZ4

Now what should I say about this BMW Z4 model

no words!
OMG!
EYES WIDE SHUT!!!!!

alyite!! you might be wondering why is it called the ‘Z4′ …that’s ‘coz the shape of the car is like the letter ‘Z ‘… did u get it??

well yea you might find it difficult to see it here, ‘coz of no hood… take a second look @ the car

The new Z4 is a bit wider than the Z3

Its got some new features added
> long sweeping hood
> athletic and assertive new design.
> seating is down very low n comfortable
> you can adjust the steering column back n forth( this is damn cool ..ideal for me )

Imagine yourself drving in a BMW Z4 alogside a scenic view road..

Ah!! sheer driving pleasure!

2001 Doge Viper RT/10 Roadster

I was surfing the web n came accross this amazing car Dodge Viper RT/10 Roadster…
My O My!

I coudn’t get mah eyes off from it. I started dreaming mahself going on a road trip driving that car..lolz! oh ..yea with mah husband :D…its boring to drive all alone .. don’t you think so??

But this ain’t mah dream car.

mah dream car !?! sshhhhh thats a secret

Its got some nice features though
check it out!
Engine: 8.0-liter V-10, 450 hp
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Length: 176.2 in
Width: 75.7 in
Height: 44.0 in
EPA (city/hwy): 11/20 mpg
Safety equipment: Anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags with disabler for passenger side, internal trunk release.
Major standard features: air conditioning, AM/FM/CD with six speakers, tilt wheel, power windows and door locks, manual side mirrors, removable hard top
Warranty: Three years/36,000 miles

For more pictures:
http://www.vipercentral.com/

For more information on dodge viper:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/Sports_Convertibles/2001_Dodge_Viper_RT_10.S184.A3953.html

Cool Enough?

The Cars

Lotus was founded by the brilliant engineer Colin Chapman and we have always held his principles at the core of everything we do; innovation, performance through light weight, excellent ride and handling and fun to drive.

A hand-built manufacturing process using our innovative aluminium chassis provides an involving and communicative drive. Lightweight materials and finely tuned suspension ensures lightning responsiveness and inspirational handling.

Every modern Lotus embodies these values to create the most pure driving experience available in any car today. These values are now more relevant than ever. Our obsession with low mass ensures that efficient, exhilarating performance will always be the trademark of our cars.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Japan Stokes Eco Industry

Japan has been a world leader in developing new environmental technologies, from hybrid cars to photovoltaic power generation, and the government is now looking at ways to stimulate its eco markets even further. The Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry plans to expand the nation's environment-focused business sector to about 83 trillion yen (about $780 billion) in 2015, from 59 trillion yen in 2005, according to recent reports.

The Japanese government will come up with policies to promote environmentally friendly technologies and businesses, which are expected to grow by 54 percent to 49 trillion yen by 2015 from the 2005 level. The Japanese government plans to stoke demand for solar power and other technologies that cut greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging investment in environment-focused businesses, and better educating consumers on significant eco issues. The ministry believes the number of jobs in environment-focused businesses will increase 45 percent over the period to 2.6 million.

A a new analysis by the Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) concurs with Japan’s estimates, and predicts that worldwide clean energy investment could surpass US$7 trillion by 2030. According to CERA’s report, “Crossing the Divide: The Future of Clean Energy,” the public concern over climate change will have a major impact on public policy and lead to more private investment in clean energy technologies. The report says that renewable power technologies will see significant growth, with wind making the biggest gains, followed by solar and biomass power.

TOP 5 SEXIEST SUSTAINABLE SPORTS CARS

TOP 5 SEXIEST SUSTAINABLE SPORTS CARS

It is often said that for green cars to be taken seriously, serious car buffs must realize that they can compete with the big boys. You see, most people think that you just can’t get proper mileage out of electric cars, that they are ugly, and most importantly, that they just can’t go fast. Well, to prove them wrong, and to start out our brand new Transportation Tuesdays series, we’d like to bring to you the top 5 greenest, fastest, and sexiest beauties on wheels that we’ve ever seen. Counting down from 5 to 1, here they are…

5. Saab Aero-X
It’s encouraging to see car manufacturers look for alternative fuel sources to power their vehicles. This particular concept by Saab comes equipped with an ethanol guzzling 2.8L twin-turbocharged V6 that can get you from 0 to 100kph/60mph in 4.2 seconds. Even cooler, the car has no doors, rather, the entire top canopy section of the car opens up, making it one of the most unique designs out there. Sadly, the car is still on concept stage. But one can still dream.


4. Venturi Fetish
Looking like something out of a spy movie, the Venturi Fetish is the world’s only in production electric sports car. While its top speed is only 100mph, it’ll give you plenty of power in the initial acceleration as it does a good 0-100kph/60mph in about 5 seconds. sadly, only 25 cars are being produced a year. But this list wouldn’t be complete without it.

3. Citroen C-Metisse Concept
Unveiled at the Paris show last year, the Citroen C-Metisse Concept is another attempt to create a diesel hybrid car. What’s so exciting about that? well this particular vehicle can operate in a Zero Emission mode, an all electric mode perfect for city cruising, while giving you access to the power of the diesel engine when needed in the motorway. While not as fast as the Saab, the fact that it has a mixed mode engine puts it just a bit higher in our list.

2. Toyota FT-HS

Now when talking about power, you can’t help but wish that you had access to a FT-HS. So far, most of these have been concept cars. Not this one though, as this vehicle is scheduled to go into production in 2009. Soon we can all be salivating at the beauty of its advanced hybrid - gasoline system, capable of moving you from 0 to 100kph/60mph in an astonishing four seconds flat. Now that’s what we call power!

1. The Tesla Roadster

No list would be complete, without what is probably the greenest sports car in the planet. The Tesla Roadster, is the cream of the top. The fully electrically powered sports car can do 0-100kph/60mph in a little over 4 seconds. To give you an idea of how cool this car is, if we were to calculate the fuel efficiency of this vehicle it would be the equivalent of 135 miles PER GALLON! Not bad for a fully electrically powered vehicle. Take that Ferrari!

Robot para Televigilancia y Supervisión Remota STR

Robot para Televigilancia y Supervisión Remota STR

El Sistema de Telepresencia Robotizado (STR) es un sistema robotizado que, integrado en una red wifi común, permite al usuario la supervisión y actuación del hogar o la empresa, de forma similar a como controlaríamos un vehículo teledirigido, pero a través de Internet.

El STR hace posible una vigilancia activa, permitiendo desplazarse por las diversas estancias y manipular objetos. Su principal propósito es la vigilancia de empresas, de segundas viviendas y la supervisión de enfermos y ancianos, pero su carácter flexible permite aplicarlo allí dónde se nos ocurra que pueda ser necesario.
La tracción por orugas, el brazo manipulador articulado, la cámara de supervisión y el mando de control hacen que el usuario pueda disfrutar de una verdadera sensación de telepresencia en el entorno deseado.
El usuario no tiene más que depositar el STR en un entorno con cobertura wifi y conectar el mando USB en su ordenador (situado en la misma red local o conectado al STR a través de Internet). El software de control desarrollado por Iberobotics guiará al usuario en la conexión y manejo de su STR.

Características Técnicas

• Dimensiones (largo x ancho x alto): 60x40x50cm
• Peso: 2 Kg.
• Batería recargable Ni-MH 9.6V/4.000mAh
• Tracción por orugas
• Brazo manipulador con 6 grados de libertad
• Resolución de vídeo hasta 640x480px
• Sistema operativo Linux embebido.
• Software de control

Requisitos de Instalación

• Línea de Banda Ancha (ADSL, Cable, etc.) o Red de Área Local entre el ordenador de control y el entorno de trabajo del STR
• Red wifi desplegada en el entorno de trabajo del STR
• PC compatible con Microsoft Windows (en breve también con Linux) y puerto USB

Actualmente el STR se encuentra en fase de desarrollo y pruebas de campo. Si es usted un profesional o empresa dedicado a la distribución de equipos o realización de servicios de videovigilancia de empresas, instalaciones, hogares, personas dependientes, etc y desea más información sobre este sistema y/o ser avisado de nuestras próximas ofertas pre-lanzamiento le rogamos que contacte con nosotros haciendo click aquí

Revolutionary 3M mini projector for mobile phones

CES: Revolutionary 3M mini projector for mobile phones

The latest mobiles give you everything from e-mail, GPS, and high-end multimedia facilities. However, watching a video on a two-three inches display isn’t that satisfactory. Therefore, how about embedding a projector into the mobile? I am serious about it. 3M has prepared a prototype for an ultra-small half-inch LED illuminated projector, especially, for mobile phones. Despite the diminutive size, it can deliver brilliant 40-inch image at VGA resolution. Other than mobile phones, this ultra-compact, LED-illuminated projector can be integrated into any personal electronic device. 3M ensures absence of speckle and presence of a high-fill factor for superior image quality. It utilizes an advanced liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) electronic image in conjunction with proprietary 3M optics technology.

However, 3M isn’t the first one to introduce the concept. Motorola is already trying for something similar. 3M is joining hands with some leading consumer electronics companies, which may incorporate it in their products, coming in early 2008. Before that, this technology will be shown in the Advanced Display Technologies Zone at the CES.

Cell Phone Brands

Cell Phone Brands

The cell phone works without wire on the basis of latest cellular technologies like; GSM, FDMA, CDMA, and GPRS technologies. All over the world-celebrated cell phone brands are endlessly providing newest and stylish cell phones for improving people’s life styles and communication power. Much trendier mobile phone companies are Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericcson, Samsung, LG and some others. All of these companies’ cellular phones have hard design structure and shapes. Which feel comfy to hold in hand and easy to adjust in pocket and bag.

Nokia Cell Phones

Nokia cell phones are good recognized all over the world due to their heavy-duty design shape and advance cellular technologies. Nokia has introduced many cellular devices; lately they have launched Nokia N-Series cell phones such as; Nokia N70 cell phone, Nokia N80 mobile phone, Nokia N93 cell phones and economical Nokia N95. Additionally, all Nokia phones have essential cellular features and provide good call class.

Motorola Cell Phones

Mostly Motorola cell phones design shapes are consist of attractive flip designs. All most all Motorola mobile phones providing superior call quality as well as sophisticated cell phone features. The more popular Motorola cell phone models are Motorola Krzr cell phone, Motorola c139 mobile, Motorola razr v300, Motorola L-Series Like; Motorola L2, L6 and Motorola L7 phones.

LG Cell Phones

LG also well-known as LG; which is continuously providing most recent electronic devices all over the world. LG cell phones have good marketing worth due to their attractive design shapes and fashionable styles. The more stylish LG cell phones are LG cg225 cell phone, LG VX8100 cell phone and LG PM225 mobile.

Sony Ericcson Cell Phones

Sony Ericcson cell phones are fine recognized over the world due to their high class graphics and outstanding sound quality. The famous Sony Ericcson mobile phones models are Sony Ericcson K610i cell phone, Sony Ericcson S-Series, Sony Ericcson Z-Series and recently launched Sony Ericcson W-Series.

Samsung Cell Phones

Samsung is well recognizable brand in electronic products due to their latest technologies and trustworthy design structures. In cell phone industry Samsung also has good status. The famous Samsung cell phones are Samsung D830 mobile phones, Samsung E909 cell phones and Samsung A707 cell phones.

SURVEYOR MOBILITY BASE KITS & ROBOT

SURVEYOR MOBILITY BASE KITS & ROBOT


Inertia Labs has partnered with Surveyor Corp to produce the mobility base for their SRV-1 Surveyor robot. The 4 motor design is designated the SRV-1Q for "quad" motor power.
This new design merges two of the electronics boards, uses 4 motors (one per wheel,) a low profile LiPoly 2000Mah 7.2v battery to make the whole unit more compact, faster, and stronger.
Like our other kits these chassis are designed around the Sanyo NA-series gearmotors, that have been specially made with long shafts for direct drive of the wheels and treads.
You can purchase the complete unit, just the base to update your older SRV, or components. The standard base is ready to run with the electronics from Surveyor. Only six wires need to be soldered.
You can also use this mobility base with a speed controller and Rx to make a treaded RC robot as with our other kits.
Questions or comments please contact zander@inertia-labs.com

Designed for research, education, and exploration, Surveyor's SRV-1 internet-controlled robot integrates a 1000MIPS 500MHz Analog Devices Blackfin BF537 processor, a digital video camera with resolution from 160x28 to 1280x1024 pixels, laser pointer ranging, and WLAN 802.11b/g networking on a quad-motor tracked mobile robotic base. Operating as a remotely-controlled webcam or a self-navigating autonomous robot, the SRV-1 can run onboard interpreted C programs or user-modified firmware, or be remotely managed from a Windows, Mac OS/X or Linux base station with Python or Java-based console software. The Java-based console software includes a built-in web server to monitor and control the SRV-1 via a web browser from anywhere in the world, as well as archive video feeds on demand or on a scheduled basis. Additional software support for the SRV-1 is also available by way of IPRE's Python-based Myro, Microsoft Robotics Studio, Cyberbotic's Webots, and RoboRealm machine vision software.

Complete SRV-1Q:

Features
Open Source design with full access to source code (GPL) and schematics
Robot is fully programmable for autonomous operation
Extensive software support through 3rd party applications
Teleoperate mode to drive robot around via console software or remotely via web browser
Host software has built-in web server and video archiving
Robot can run programs written in interpreted C and stored in onboard Flash
Wireless remote control or viewing up to 100m indoors and 1000m outdoors (line of sight)
Robot can be controlled from a terminal/console for easy testing
Linux 2.6 support as well as "bare metal" programming with GNU bfin-elf-gcc

Hardware

Processor: 1000mips 500MHz Analog Devices Blackfin BF537, 32MB SDRAM, 4MB Flash, JTAG
Camera: Omnivision OV9655 1.3 megapixel 160x128 to 1280x1024 resolution
Robot Radio: Lantronix Matchport 802.11b/g WiFi
Range: 100m indoors, 1000m line-of-site
Sensors: 2 laser pointers for ranging
Drive: Tank-style treads with differential drive via two precision DC gearmotors (100:1 gear reduction)
Speed: 20cm - 50cm per second (approx 1 foot/sec or .5 mile/hour)
Chassis: Machined Aluminum
Dimensions: 120mm long x 105mm wide x 75mm tall (5" x 4.1" x 3") (drawing)
Weight: 460gm (14oz)
Power: 7.2V 2000mAH Li-Poly battery pack - 4+ hours per charge
Charger: 100-240VAC 50/60Hz (US plug)
Software
Robot Firmware: easily updated, written in C language under GPL Open Source, compiled with GNU bfin-elf-gcc and bfin-uclinux-gcc toolchains
Onboard User Programming: interpreter for "small C" language with special robot-specific commands are provided for running user programs from onboard Flash memory
Development Tools: GNU toolchains via http://blackfin.uclinux.org
Console Software: Java based application, runs on Windows, MAC, Linux. WebcamSat web server module built into console software, allows multiple simultaneous remote viewers via Internet
Robot Control Protocol: Published here. Easily used from other applications
Third-party Software Support:
RoboRealm - The SRV-1 can now be directly controlled from RoboRealm, a very popular Windows-based machine vision software package for robots. The RoboRealm extensions for SRV-1 allow creation of scripts that combine image processing on live video feeds from the robot, e.g. color filtering, blob detection/tracking, edge detection/outlining and feature extraction, with decision processing and robot motion control, making it easy to create behaviors such as object location and tracking, obstacle avoidance, motion detection, notification, etc, with a web interface, and control can be scripted from C/C++, Python, Java, C#, Lisp, Visual Basic, WScript and COM through the RoboRealm API.o Microsoft Robotics Studio - Drivers for the SRV-1 in Microsoft Robotics Studio are now available. MSRS is a Windows-based environment for academic, hobbyist and commercial developers to create robotics applications across a wide variety of hardware. Key features and benefits include: end-to-end robotics development platform, lightweight services-oriented runtime, and a scalable / extensible platform.o Myro - Myro is a new framework for programming robots. Myro is written in the language Python and designed for use in Introductory Computing courses, and has been developed by the Institute for Personal Robots in Education. The goal of the project is to provide a programming environment for easily exploring advanced topics in artificial intelligence and robotics without having to worry about the low-level details of the underlying hardware.o Webots - SRV-1 support is now included in Webots mobile robotics simulation software. Webots provides a rapid prototyping environment for modelling, programming and simulating mobile robots under Windows, Mac OS/X and Linux. The 3D modeling and physics are outstanding.

Experience Telepresence

Experience Telepresence

Be two places at once with QA, the new telepresence robot from Anybots. Enjoy complete freedom to move fluidly and interact with others in a remote location from the ease of your home or office.
QA operates simply, cleanly, and quietly while still giving you a full physical presence. It allows you to see and be seen, talk and listen, and collaborate in ways and places never before possible.

QA: The Telepresence Robot

Be two places at once with QA, the new telepresence robot from Anybots. Enjoy complete freedom to move fluidly and interact with others in a remote location from the ease of your home or office.
QA operates simply, cleanly, and quietly while still giving you a full physical presence. It allows you to see and be seen, talk and listen, and collaborate in ways and places never before possible.

Technical Specifications

• Batteries: rechargeable Li ion, 4-6 hours of operation
• Connectivity: 802.11g wireless (optional 3G cellular)
• Cameras: two 5 MP color, with ir illuminator
• Video: 20 FPS @ 640×480 (depending on network)
• Audio: full duplex, high fidelity
• Display: 7 inch (18 cm) color LCD in chest
• Laser pointer: green 10 mW, points and draws shapes
• Navigation: LIDAR, 5.5 yard (5 meter) range
• Speed: up to 6 MPH (10 km/h)
• Wheels: two 12 inch (30 cm) diameter rubber
• Height: 5 foot (152 cm) standing, 2 foot (61 cm) bending
• Weight: 30 pounds (14 kg)
• Client software: PC and Mac compatible
  

Robots in Development: Dexter & Monty

Dexter (5'10" tall, 135 pounds) balances dynamically on two legs, walks, jumps, and will be able to run. Monty (5'7" tall, 160 pounds) has one fully articulated hand (driven by 18 motors) and one gripper, and balances on two wheels.
Dexter and Monty have been under development since 2001. As they are refined further, they will be able to perform a wide range of manual labor tasks.
Dexter is quite different from other robots that have walked on two legs. The Honda ASIMO and related robots use a walking algorithm called Zero Moment Point or ZMP, a geometrical constraint that guarantees stability. To use this approach, a robot must have stiff joints (driven by geared servo motors) and fairly large feet. In the simplest version, the robot is given pre-planned movements that guarantee that a perpendicular drawn from the center of whichever foot is on the floor passes through the center of gravity, with some compensation for acceleration. Such a robot does not need active balance feedback to walk. While the most advanced ZMP-based robots do include active balance control to adapt to sloped floor surfaces or external forces, this is a refinement to a passively stable gait.
Dexter has a different, more human-like body on which ZMP control does not work. Its joints, driven by air cylinders, are springy and flexible like human muscle. There are no stable postures that it can be put in where it can balance without active feedback, so it has to constantly adjust based on its sense of balance -- the robot equivalent of your inner ear. It walks and balances the same way humans do, even wearing the same shoes humans wear.
Dexter's harder-to-control body has major advantages in the real world. It can walk just as easily on soft surfaces, like the deep carpet shown in the video, as on hard surfaces. Because its joints are flexible and able to absorb impact, it will be able to run at high speed over uneven ground and jump over obstacles. If it accidently steps on your toe, it won't hurt any more than a person stepping on your toe. But most importantly, because there is no geometrical principle by which we could have programmed a walking motion, it had to learn to walk. Its learning software will soon lead to a much wider range of walking abilities than could ever have been programmed.