Buzz
We’re living in an era ruled by robotics, where machines and technology dominate our lives. Some worry that robots could take over our jobs or even pose a threat by using weapons against us. However, not all robots are menacing or malicious. Many are simply downright strange.
Around the globe, scientists are busy crafting mind-blowing devices and peculiar AI. Just in the past few years, roboticists have introduced everything from a cheeky android to a shape-shifting submarine, as well as a gadget that enables fish and bees to communicate with each other. From snuggle robots to worm-driven Lego, here are ten of the most bizarre robots ever made.
10. Irony Man, The Sassy Robot
Douglas Adams fans will recognize Marvin The Paranoid Android, the gloomy yet somewhat arrogant robot from The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. But what if, instead of a paranoid robot, we had a sassy one? A bot that occasionally rolls its eyes and delivers snarky remarks.
At Ausburg University, scientists have created a robot with a sense of irony. Named Irony Man, this robot is designed to be more relatable and casual than traditional AI. Unlike the usual robots that speak in monotonous tones, Irony Man mimics human speech patterns. For example, if someone complains that 'Traffic is frustrating,' Irony Man would sarcastically respond, 'I love being stuck here,' emphasizing the word 'love.'
But why would anyone design a robot with such a smart-mouth? The creators of Irony Man believed that making him speak like a real person would make him more approachable. And it seems they were right. In a trial, students found Irony Man more likable than typical machines. However, there’s still the issue of his lack of social awareness. While Irony Man can use sarcasm, he can’t always tell when it’s appropriate, which makes him seem a bit rude at times.
9. Skybot F-850, Russia’s Robot Astronaut
Skybot F-850 is a fully automated android astronaut developed by Russia’s space agency for life aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
It took engineers five years to prepare Skybot for the rigorous task of space travel. This six-foot android is built with robust materials to withstand the launch into zero gravity and is specially programmed to avoid damaging the space station.
In the summer of 2019, Skybot F-850 spent two weeks onboard the ISS, serving as a 'social companion' to the astronauts. During its time in space, the robot was able to chat with the crew, answer questions, and entertain them with jokes. Skybot even flew itself to the space station, piloting a Soyuz spacecraft and monitoring its systems as it entered zero gravity.
Alexander Bloshenko, the executive director of the Russian space agency, shared with reporters: 'Future generations of such robots will perform tasks that pose significant risks to humans, like extravehicular activities and telemetry work on celestial bodies.'
8. Lovot, The Cuddly Robot Designed to Help Alleviate Loneliness
In today's fast-paced world, loneliness can be a serious problem. For those in need of companionship, the Japanese startup Groove X has created Lovot – a small, fluffy robot designed to provide comfort to people seeking a friend.
Lovot is a friendly, small robot that quickly bonds with its owner. Its soft, warm 'skin' is perfect for those in need of a hug, and the robot loves close personal interaction. As time goes on, Lovot develops a stronger emotional connection, learning its owner's face and greeting them when they return home.
Is it truly beneficial to address loneliness with artificial companionship rather than human relationships? That remains a compelling question. Nevertheless, Lovot has been available for sale in Japan for over a year, and the creators believe that with further investment, it might soon make its way to the United States.
7. Robot Translator for Fish and Bees
In 2019, researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne developed a device that enables communication between fish and bees. The scientists created a robot translator capable of relaying messages between a group of zebrafish and a swarm of honeybees. To make things even more challenging, they conducted the experiment from two different countries, with the fish located in Switzerland and the bees in neighboring Austria.
The robot translator issued instructions to each group and translated their responses into signals for the other species. For instance, the fish were shown a color or tail movement, which guided their swimming direction. This was then converted into vibrations or temperature changes, which prompted the bees to move. The bees' movements were then converted into signals for the fish, and so on. Initially, the experiment was complete chaos, but after 25 minutes of confusion, the animals began to respond to the robotic cues.
While this might seem like a peculiar experiment, the ability to communicate with animals has numerous practical uses, such as preventing birds from flying over airports or alerting bees to pesticides on plants.
6. Lego Robot With The Brain Of A Worm
Imagine mapping the entire human brain, capturing all the electrical pulses and signals, and uploading it into a machine. In theory, you could live forever as a digital being. While that sounds like a complex ethical issue, you’ll be glad to know scientists are far from achieving such an advanced feat. However, they have managed something similar by using a tiny worm’s brain and some Lego.
In 2014, neuro-robotics researchers successfully mapped the brain of a small ringworm, including all 302 of its neurons, and turned it into a digital simulation. Simulating an entire brain is an impressive achievement, but the researchers took it a step further by feeding the virtual brain into a Lego robot. The Lego bot wasn’t anything high-tech; it had a sound sensor for a nose and two motors as its motor cortex. With some adjustments, the virtual worm brain was able to control the robot, guiding it through a test area and preventing it from crashing into walls.
In the future, the researchers hope to go beyond simulating just the brain, aiming to replicate an entire worm, thus creating the first-ever digital life form.
5. China’s Robot Traffic Police
In 2019, China began utilizing robots to help manage its roads. The Handan Public Security Bureau now employs three types of robots, each assisting human officers in maintaining order. While the robots share a similar design, they perform distinct functions.
One model, the road patrol robot, identifies and records any unlawful activities on the roads. Its creators even outfitted it with a uniform and hat, making it resemble a human officer. Another version, the accident warning robot, notifies nearby drivers that the police are handling an incident. The third type, the advisory traffic robot, helps direct traffic at vehicle management stations while also scanning for security threats.
Robotic police officers are nothing new in China. In 2016, the country began using a security robot at Shenzhen Airport, and in 2017, Henan introduced the E-Patrol Sheriff.
4. Julia, The Robot Who Taught Herself To Cook
Learning to cook is no easy feat. Becoming a professional chef takes years of education at culinary school and a deep commitment to mastering the craft. But what if there was a shortcut? What if you could have a robot teach itself how to cook and then prepare a meal for you?
Researchers at the University of Maryland are developing exactly that. Unlike most robots, Julia doesn’t require step-by-step instructions. Instead, she has learned how to cook by watching YouTube videos and replicating what she observes.
At this stage, Julia's cooking skills are far from Michelin star quality. Her abilities are limited to a few basic tasks. Still, it's a significant achievement. Activities that seem simple to humans, like pouring a glass of water, are surprisingly difficult for a robot.
3. Aquanaut, The Shape-Shifting Submarine
The Transformers were a major franchise in the 1980s and later became a series of disastrous films in the 2000s. For those unfamiliar, Transformers are self-transforming robots that convert into motor vehicles. These shape-shifting machines sparked the imagination of children over the years but always appeared to be an extraordinary work of fiction, something impossible to create—until now.
Now, engineers at Houston Mechatronics Inc. have built a real-life Transformer—a semi-humanoid robot that can transform into a submarine. They named it Aquanaut. The goal was to create a machine that blended the flexibility of a long-range underwater vehicle with the precision of a remotely operated robot.
With a budget of $23 million, Aquanaut is primarily designed to work on deep-sea oil and gas pipelines. It starts in a streamlined 'submarine mode,' diving smoothly through the water until it reaches its destination. Once there, it begins to transform. The top of the hull rises, and a head with two long arms unfold to allow it to perform maintenance tasks on the pipeline. Along with its shape-shifting features, Aquanaut carries a variety of advanced equipment. Its head is equipped with a 3D sensor, stereo cameras, and a sonar system.
2. Rwanda’s Healthcare Robots Fighting Coronavirus
In Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, robots are at the forefront of the battle against the coronavirus. At treatment centers in Gatenga and Kanyinya, these robots help healthcare workers minimize their exposure to COVID-positive patients, reducing their own risk of contracting the virus.
The global outbreak of coronavirus has pushed healthcare professionals to think creatively in their efforts to manage the pandemic. Designed by Zorabots, five robots are now tasked with monitoring patients’ vital signs, delivering video messages, and reminding people to wear their masks properly. One of these robots is stationed at Kigali International Airport, where it screens up to 150 individuals per minute.
1. Robot Fish Powered By Synthetic Blood
It might sound like a plot from a low-budget sci-fi horror film: a robotic fish powered by blood. However, this robotic fish is no villain. In fact, it could represent the future of energy-efficient robotics.
One of the major challenges in robotics is energy storage. Most devices either drain their power quickly or carry bulky batteries that slow them down. The robotic fish, however, uses a hydraulic fluid similar to the blood of real fish, providing enough energy to swim upstream for up to 36 hours. Speed isn't its strong suit, though—it moves at just 1.5 body lengths per minute.
Despite its modest speed, the robotic fish is a stunning engineering achievement. Professor Rob Shepherd, a key developer at Cornell University, shared with the press: 'We aim to integrate as many components in a robot as possible into its energy system. If your robot already uses hydraulic liquids, you can tap into vast energy reserves, allowing robots greater autonomy.'
