Gostai releases an Open Source Edition of URBI (Urbi 2.1 - Open Source AGPL v3)

URBI is a software development platform for robotics that supports asynchronous event management and orchestration. URBI also provides software components and interfaces to many robots like Lego NXT and Aldebaran Nao.

Recently, Gostai have decided to go Open Source and release a new version of URBI under a licence AGPL v3 (they also maintain a commercial licence for commercial partners). Source code is available for the URBI Kernel, however the code of the Gostai Studio graphical interface is not included in the open source initiative.

More details can be found at: Gostai.com.

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Wakamaru, the communication robot by Mitshubishi.

Wakamaru is a robot designed for human communication and interaction and its own "personality".

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The following is a video of an Aldebaran Nao prototype robot at WAF 2008 (Workshop de Agentes Físicos, 2008. Vigo. Spain). This one is used by University Rey Juan Carlos of Madrid to participate in the Robocup competition. After Sony decided to quit the manufacturing of Sony Aibo, Nao has become the new physical robot in that category.

As can be observed in the demo, some improvements to balance and movements are still to be made in order to have an effective robotic soccer player..  

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The creators of Robosapien WowWee are preparing a new robot called Rovio that has been presented at CES 2008 and will be available this summer and it will cost around 200 Euro. 

Rovio is an omnidirectional wheeled robot equipped with an onboard webcam. The robot can be controlled from anywhere using a PC and the images of the webcam can be also visualized. Even the camera angle can be remotelly controlled in order to inspect the surroundings of the robot. It can be used for surveillance, and remote listening and talking. Rovio is also able to automatically navigate to the nearer charging station.

The following video is a Rovio demo at CES 2008:

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WowWee Robopanda

One of the latest robotic toys from WowWee Robotics is the Robopanda. Unlike former WowWee robots like Robosapien, this robot doesn’t work with a remote control, but directly by touch and sound. It is designed to play games, sing songs, and talk with children. It is even able to crawl on all fours and includes its own little toy panda!

It can operate in three different modes:

- Training mode: he will guide you through his many features.
- Friend mode: talkative and telling jokes.
- Menu mode: he will tell stories, play games, sing songs and learn tricks.

It is equipped with 8 motors, sonic sensors, touch sensors, accelerometer tilt sensor, safety sensors, memory cartridge slot, LED indicators, and volume control. Power is supplied by 6 x C and 4 x AA batteries.

The following video is a Robopanda demo at CES 2007:

Robopanda commercial:

• More info: http://www.robopandaonline.com/

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