Leka, real robot like BB-8 of Star Wars

Since there are so many fans of Star Wars, especially children, most people would have watched Star Wars: The Force awakens and that cute rotating robot BB-8.

Robot BB-8 saved the day in Star Wars in the movie, but there is now a real spherical robot that can help autistic children, the Leka robot which can be programmed and also roll like BB-8.

Real robots: Google humanoid robot walks in a park

Humanoid = like a human

Google's humanoid robot have proven in the lab that it can walk across an uneven path littered with rocks, stand on 1 leg when kicked from the side, etc.

Recently Google has taken a step further, let its humanoid robot navigate the real world in a park. Watch the video below:

http://buzz.blogger.com/2011/09/dynamic-views-seven-new-ways-to-share.html

Real robot: 3D printed robot help lonely elderly

Here is another real robot - a 3D printed robot designed to interact and help lonely elderly people. It can monitor vital statistics like blood pressure, blood sugar content etc. It can also track the movements of the elderly and report his/her location to relatives in case of emergencies:

Real robot: Exoskeleton Paralysed soldier walk

Exo means outside. So exoskeleton means a robotic skeleton outside the body of a paralysed solder which is now helping him to learn to walk again. See video below:

Robots can help children with Autism

Researchers have found that children with autism can be helped interacting with real robots.

As described in The Guardian: How robots are helping children with autism:

Anthony Arceri is seven and has autism. His clothes are covered in sensors, and he is standing in front of Zeno, a smiling, 2ft-tall robot. “What is your favourite food?” Zeno asks Anthony. “Chocolate milk and french fries.” “I love chocolate milk,” Zeno replies. The robot raises its arm, and Anthony copies. Zeno rubs his stomach, and so does Anthony.

It looks like fun – and for Anthony, it is. But researchers believe the interaction between Anthony and the robot also holds the key to early diagnosis and treatment of autism. Zeno is the result of a collaboration between Dr Dan Popa at the University of Texas at Arlington, Hanson RoboKind, Dallas Autism Treatment Centre, Texas Instruments and National Instruments – and is the brainchild of Hanson Robot owner and former Disney imagineer David Hanson. Read more at How robots are helping children with autism

Some videos:

Humanoid robot "Russell" engages children with autism

Robot Helps Kids with Autism Communicate

Interactive Robot Helps Children with Autism

Robots help in fight against autism

Real robots: Robot border guards

I am sure you have passed through border checkpoints (Immigration) at airports and other border crossings where your passport and personal details are checked by a human immigration officer before you are let through the border crossing.

French defence company Thales have exhibited robots to replace immigration officers which can do faster identification of criminals using their biometric data, scan passports, print boarding passes, record passenger's face and iris and print encrypted form of passenger face for further identity check at boarding gate.

Robotic chef cooks Michelin-starred meals

Moley Robotics, a UK company has created probably the world's first robtotic chef that can cook Michelin-stared meals. Their Robochef comprises a pair of robotic arms that mimics the movements of MasterChef Tim Anderson while he cooks a meal.

So now it is possible for to have a MasterChef Tim Anderson cooks Michelin-stared meals at your home, a slave that never gets tired, don't have off days don't draw a salary

You can watch RoboChef at work at this video or listen to a news reader narates the story of RoboChef accompanied by photos of the robotic cook.

(Not familiar with Michelin. Read more at Wikipedia: Michelin Guide)