You may have heard about Shigeki Toyama and his Power Assist Suit before. Of course, there’s every likelihood you haven’t. Let’s rap about it, let me break it down. The PAS is a tool developed by Toyama and his students at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and when I say developed, I mean years – last time I saw this thing on the internet was circa 2006. But now, Toyama and his team are ready to have this bad boy (or girl?) manufactured, and it’s going to be available for purchase in Japan by 2012 for a cool $11000. What does it do? Why, turns you into a superhuman, of course. The suit increases…

Big brother has been watching us all for some time, but Big Brother Bear is a step too far. As creepy and insidious as Teddy Ruxpin was, this obnoxious invention by Fujitsu at least has good intentions. By using a video camera built into the bear’s nose, teddy is able to recognize facial movement and expressions and respond accordingly. There are a few practical applications for a teddy bear that is always watching you, such as “entertaining and soothing” the elderly and encouraging quiet children to come out of their shell. “We just want it feel natural”, said one Fujitsu researcher, who is apparently…

An Israeli company has developed a remote control, robotic exoskeleton to allow paraplegics to walk again. Advances in technology have made this sci-fi dream a reality, and moves the medical community one step closer to being able to replace limbs and create completely bionic humans. Dr. Amit Goffer is responsible for developing the system, which attaches to the user’s legs and torso and essentially replaces all body support for the legs. Unlike other similar systems, it does not rely on picking up signals from nerve endings or muscle movement. Instead it is triggered by the user leaning forward…

Spike Jonze has teamed up with Absolut Vodka to present ‘I’m Here’, a touching short film about robots in love. The best part? The film is available free to watch online. Potential viewers have to be quick, though, as ‘seating’ for each screening of the film is limited. Viewers can log in with their Facebook accounts for a really unique experience. I’m not going to spoil anything, though – just check out the trailer and go watch it. It’s a beautiful film. As if robots couldn’t be any more rad today. [Via Laughing Squid]…

Not to come off as a robotics nut, but I’m not letting this one get away and sleeping comfortably tonight. I’m just not. This is amazing, much to my own chagrin. This robot knows how to draw. And I don’t mean it’s a glorified printer – it actually knows how to draw. Patrick Tesset and Frederic Fol have been developing the Aikon Project over the last six years, the aim of which is to give a robot the soul of an artist – complete with style, interpretation, and aesthetic judgment. The more Aikon II draws, the more it learns, and the more it can artistically extrapolate.
 And the more it can eventually…

Meet Hanako. Hanako is a collaboration between three Japanese universities and robotics company Tmsuk. And, quite frankly, Hanako is creepy as all hell. A new dental patient robot, I guess this is actually a good idea – I certainly don’t mind the thought of dentists practicing thoroughly on a robot before coming at me with drills and knives. …

Take a look at this self-balancing robotized skateboard and think future transportation thanks to creator, XenonJon….

I’m one of the slim minority who dislikes Terminator. Don’t get me wrong, Schwarzenegger is nothing if not a vastly-talented thespian, I just don’t sit well with armed robots coming after me in the night. That said, this is pretty cool. MAGIC 2010 (that’s Multi Autonomous Ground-robotic International Challenge) is a joint venture between Australia’s Defense Science & Technology Organisation and the Research Development & Engineering Command in the States, to help develop the next gen in sweet-ass robotic killing machines….