Robot

Sphero launches iPhone-controlled astromech droid from ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Sphero, makers of the namesake spherical robot toy, today released a brand new connected toy, an iPhone-controlled BB-8 droid from the upcoming 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' movie. Yes, it’s now possible to explore the galaxy with your own trusty astromech droid by your side.

Featuring an adaptive personality that changes as you play, the little robot can show a range of expressions and even “perk up when you give voice commands”.

New report says Foxconn’s robots will play more of a supporting role in factories

Earlier this week, word got out that Foxconn is preparing to deploy sophisticated robots to help assemble devices in its factories. The so-called 'Foxbots' have been in testing for years now, and CEO Terry Gou says the first units will help manufacture Apple’s iPhones.

Today, a new report is out from Taiwan's United Daily News that offers up new details on the program. According to the outlet, the robots will play more of a supporting role initially. Foxconn employees will still be responsible for general assembly and quality control...

Foxconn confirms it’s starting to deploy robots to help assemble iPhones

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., also known in the Western world as Foxconn, the world's largest contract manufacturer, will soon start deploying sophisticated robots to help assemble iPhones, CEO and Chairman Terry Gou announced during a shareholder meeting Monday.

Foxconn assembles a range of consumer electronics products for other companies, including iPhones and iPads. The plan to replace factory workers with robots was first announced two years ago, but hit roadblocks due to high cost of robot deployment...

Google to automate production lines at iPhone manufacturer Foxconn with advanced robots

Future iPhones could be built by Google robots as The Wall Street Journal reports that the search monster is working with Apple's favorite contract manufacturer, Foxconn of Taiwan, on automating production lines.

Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou reportedly met with Google's Andy Rubin in Taipei to talk new robotic technologies meant to "speed up robot deployment" at Foxconn plants. The machines would run Google's upcoming robotic operating system for manufacturers. The two men have reportedly been collaborating since last year to carry out Google's vision for robotics.

Eagled-eyed readers will remember that Google's boss Larry Page in March 2013 put former Android head Andy Rubin in charge of a moonshot project to create a new generation of robots...

Apple hired ex-Segway robotics whiz to possibly work on a ‘fantastic’ moonshot project

It's understandable a company of Apple's stature is constantly on the lookout for the brightest minds in the industry. It also goes without saying that Apple, the world's leading technology brand by both valuation and reputation, is constantly hiring all sorts of talented experts and scientists in various fields of expertise.

But why on Earth would the iPhone maker hire a former robotics expert who helped invent the Segway personal transporter, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak's favorite means of transportation?

Bloomberg Businessweek in an eyebrow-raising article entitled "Apple and the Mysterious Case of the Missing Moonshot" suggests that John Morrell may have left his post at Yale University and joined Apple last year to participate in a "pretty fantastic" project...

The Automee S: a tiny robot that cleans iPhone and iPad screens

Raise your hand if you like robots. Ok, now raise your hand if you hate cleaning the fingerprints and debris off of your iPhone and iPad screens. Wouldn't it be cool if there was a product out there that combined these two things?

Believe it or not, there is. Meet the Automee S, a tiny, round, Roomba-like robot that's built to automatically clean the screen of your smartphone or tablet in a matter of minutes. We've got a video of it in action after the fold...

Foxbots are way too costly and cannot polish the iPhone’s metal casing

Back in August of last year, Foxconn, Apple’s and the world's largest product assembler, said it intended to replace an unspecified amount of its assembly line workers with one million robots over the next three years. Chinese-language web site TechWeb followed up last month with a claim that at least 10,000 Foxbots had arrived at an unspecified Foxconn plant.

Another batch of 20,000 robots is reportedly scheduled for deployment by year's end. Today, The Wall Street Journal reports that the assembly company is facing challenges because these things cost a lot of money and are quickly obsoleted due to "rapid changes in technology"...

Double Robotics gives your iPad some serious wheels

We've seen a lot of cool accessories for the iPad over the years, but this one might just take the cake. Double Robotics has just unveiled a new self-balancing motorized stand for Apple's tablet called the Double.

The stand uses the iPad for propulsion, as it wheels around on a Segway-like base. And the whole thing is controlled by a second iPad, using the camera on the first for guidance. You really have to see it to believe it...

Meet Romo, the iPhone-Powered Robot

We've seen multiple iOS-controlled helicopters and other robotic accessories over the last few months. Apparently, using your iDevice to remotely control a bite-sized vehicle is becoming quite popular.

But even though the RC market is getting crowded, there is still tons of room for innovative products. Romotive proves that with Romo, the first iPhone/iPod touch-powered (and controlled) robot...