Robots - Yanko Design https://www.yankodesign.com Modern Industrial Design News Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:14:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 We’re Live at Electronics Home Mexico: Latin America’s Newest B2B Electronics Expo https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/06/17/were-live-at-electronics-home-mexico-latin-americas-newest-b2b-electronics-expo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=were-live-at-electronics-home-mexico-latin-americas-newest-b2b-electronics-expo Tue, 17 Jun 2025 22:44:30 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=559516

We’re Live at Electronics Home Mexico: Latin America’s Newest B2B Electronics Expo

Mexico City hosts the inaugural Electronics Home Mexico today through June 19, 2025, at Centro Banamex. The three-day trade fair marks Grupo Eletrolar’s expansion into...
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Mexico City hosts the inaugural Electronics Home Mexico today through June 19, 2025, at Centro Banamex. The three-day trade fair marks Grupo Eletrolar’s expansion into North America after 17 years of organizing successful electronics events across Brazil and Argentina.

The event spans 10,000 square meters of exhibition space, showcasing over 300 exhibitors and drawing major buyers from Mexico, Central America, and South America. Carlos Clur, CEO of Grupo Eletrolar, presents this launch as the third component of Latin America’s “business triathlon,” joining the established Eletrolar Show in Brazil and Electronics Home Argentina.

Strategic Market Position and Organizational Excellence

Mexico consolidates itself as the new regional center for the consumer electronics industry amid international uncertainty marked by tariff tensions and commercial disputes with the United States. The timing proves crucial as Mexico’s import market reaches approximately $467 billion annually, creating substantial opportunities for electronics manufacturers and distributors optimizing supply chains and ensuring timely product delivery across Latin America.

“Mexico is a challenge, but it’s something in our strategy that we need to do, because we want to integrate Latin America total market,” explains Carlos Clur. “We are in the three biggest markets. Mexico was the second, at least the second economy. So we needed to put the feet here.” The CEO acknowledges the complexity of entering Mexico’s concentrated retail landscape while emphasizing the strategic importance of creating a unified Latin American electronics ecosystem.

The fair features consumer electronics, large and small home appliances, telecommunications equipment, and technology products. Exhibitors display smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, audio devices, gaming consoles, washing machines, refrigerators, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, and IoT solutions. The event showcases more than 600 exhibitors and high-level executives , with over 1,000 international brands participating. The fair operates daily from 11:00 to 19:00 hours throughout the three-day period.

Grupo Eletrolar brings extensive experience from managing two major regional events. The Eletrolar Show in São Paulo occupies 50,000 square meters at Distrito Anhembi, attracting over 40,000 visitors and featuring more than 600 exhibitors showcasing 12,000 products from 1,500 brands. Electronics Home Argentina, running at Centro Costa Salguero from June 30 to July 2, 2025, serves as the country’s most important business fair for household goods and consumer electronics.

The organization implements proven programs including the VIP Buyer Program, which sponsors airfare and accommodation for qualified buyers from South and Central American countries attending all three fairs in the business triathlon. The Matchmaking Program facilitates pre-scheduled meetings between distributors and retailers, ensuring direct contact with potential buyers.

Walking Through the Ultimate Electronics Treasure Hunt

The exhibition floor delivers exactly what you’d expect from a hybrid of Amazon’s endless variety, Best Buy’s tech showcase energy, and TJ Maxx’s treasure-hunting excitement. Within minutes of entering, unexpected discoveries emerge around every corner.

At one booth, a cold bourbon dispenser catches attention not for its electronics, but for solving a problem whiskey enthusiasts know well. “If you add ice, that means you reduce the taste of the whiskey,” explains the exhibitor, demonstrating how their $250 USD unit maintains optimal temperature without dilution. The compressor-based system preserves the pure taste that ice traditionally compromises.

Here’s where trade fairs get interesting. Despite being neither a bourbon enthusiast nor someone who typically drinks whiskey at 11 AM on a Tuesday morning, the sample proved impossible to refuse. The cold bourbon hit differently than expected: smooth, clean, and surprisingly palatable even to someone who usually avoids brown liquor. The exhibitor’s point about ice dilution became clear immediately. This wasn’t the harsh bite associated with room-temperature whiskey, nor the watered-down taste from melted ice. The controlled temperature created an entirely different drinking experience.

For bars and restaurants, this represents the kind of specialized solution that makes B2B trade fairs valuable. The minimum order quantity (MOQ) conversation reveals the fair’s true nature. At 100-200 units minimum, this isn’t consumer retail. The unexpected morning bourbon tasting also highlights how these events blur professional boundaries: where else would trying whiskey at 11 AM count as market research?

A few aisles over, CJ Tech from Guangzhou displays 100-inch televisions that reveal the complex economics behind consumer electronics. The company operates as a pure ODM/OEM manufacturer, producing displays for European markets, Middle East, Africa, and select US clients. Their booth showcases the invisible supply chain powering familiar brands.

The pricing structure tells the real story. A standard 100-inch 4K TV costs $900 USD at factory level, while the Mini LED version jumps to $1,800 USD. The MOQ requires a minimum order, but their standard container capacity holds 46 units, meaning a single container of Mini LED displays represents an $82,800 investment at factory pricing. “American market certification cost is very high,” explains the representative, revealing why US electronics carry premium pricing. Certification alone costs 100,000 Chinese yuan (approximately $14,000 USD), making small orders economically unfeasible.

The mathematics become clearer when considering volume. While the factory price seems reasonable, certification costs must be distributed across units sold. For a single container of 46 Mini LED TVs, the $14,000 certification adds roughly $300 per unit. For smaller orders of one or two containers, this burden becomes prohibitive. The representative explains why “American customers want one container, two containers, but the certification cost is very high.”

This conversation illuminates why certain markets dominate global electronics. The certification barrier explains why CJ Tech focuses on European and African markets, where regulatory costs prove more manageable. The $1,800 factory price becomes significantly higher after logistics, certification, and regulatory compliance, explaining why a comparable 100-inch Hisense TV retails for $5,000 USD in American markets.

The company also produces speakers for Hisense and displays for Harman, demonstrating how major brands rely on specialized ODM partners. Their booth features products destined for Amazon’s private label program, revealing the interconnected nature of global electronics distribution. The Mini LED technology costs “between double and triple” the standard 4K version due to enhanced local dimming capabilities that improve color reproduction.

CEO Vision: Building Latin America’s Connected Electronics Ecosystem

Carlos Clur’s strategy extends beyond individual trade fairs to create an integrated regional marketplace. “We want to create these meetings with the C-level executives. They can create joint ventures, ideas to produce in Mexico, ideas to create alliances with the retail, with the suppliers, with the industry, with the components market,” he explains. “We want to have this industry more connected. This connection makes the economy stronger.”

The challenge lies in Mexico’s retail concentration. “The retail is very concentrated in some points, the industry also,” Clur acknowledges. “What we are doing for our challenge is bring the small retail, medium retail, and the big ones, but also the most strategic is bring the neighboring countries.” This international approach distinguishes Electronics Home Mexico from domestic trade shows.

Clur emphasizes the fair’s role in democratizing business opportunities. “Maybe this small retail in the future will be a big retail, and this is something that for us is important. Also bring professionals to the show, create strong relations for long term.” He describes how a single connection can transform businesses: “One company in a show can change the life, the economic life, because they said, ‘Okay, Walmart, make an order.'”

The CEO recognizes technology’s role in market education. “Journalists and influencers, they connect with the consumers, show the new technology, the new prototypes, the new trends, and they promote the industry,” he explains. In Brazil, Grupo Eletrolar works with influencers commanding 50 million followers, while Mexico features Shark Tank personalities discussing artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship.

Even Clur participates in the discovery process, purchasing a recording device from a Mexican company during the fair. “This is our work,” he concludes, emphasizing that successful B2B events require continuous investment in matchmaking programs, buyer initiatives, and marketing campaigns to “bring the right people to the right place.”

Understanding the Hidden Value Chain

These conversations provide invaluable insight into electronics pricing that consumers never see. Walking through Electronics Home Mexico offers education worth thousands of dollars in business consulting fees. The direct access to ODM manufacturers, MOQ discussions, and certification cost breakdowns reveal why electronics cost what they do in different markets.

The bourbon dispenser conversation alone demonstrates how specialized B2B products find their markets. Understanding that 100-unit minimums separate consumer purchases from commercial distribution explains why certain products remain invisible to regular shoppers. These aren’t products you find on Amazon or Best Buy shelves, yet they represent significant business opportunities for the right buyers.

The CJ Tech discussion provides even deeper value. Learning that a $5,000 consumer TV starts at $1,800 factory pricing, then understanding how certification costs, logistics, retailer margins, and brand premiums build the final price, offers insights typically reserved for industry insiders. The revelation that certification costs can add $300 per unit for small orders explains why electronics companies focus on high-volume markets.

This knowledge transforms how you view electronics retail. Every smartphone, television, or appliance carries similar hidden costs and supply chain complexities. The fair provides direct access to manufacturers who typically remain invisible behind brand names, offering education about global trade mechanics that business schools struggle to teach.

These discoveries encapsulate the fair’s treasure-hunt atmosphere. Buyers arrive expecting smartphones and appliances, but leave with deep understanding of supply chain economics, MOQ requirements, and certification barriers that reshape pricing strategies. Each conversation reveals the complex calculations behind consumer electronics pricing, from factory floor to retail shelf.

Current Impact and Business Integration

Electronics Home Mexico strengthens Latin America’s position in global electronics trade while addressing international trade tensions. The event targets Chinese companies seeking strategic partnerships in Mexico, capitalizing on shifting supply chain dynamics amid global uncertainty.

For exhibitors, participating in Electronics Home Mexico represents the opportunity to position themselves as innovation leaders in the sector. Direct contact with highly specialized audiences allows companies to understand market needs and adjust commercial strategies with valuable information about consumption trends and behaviors. The event positions itself as a platform designed for real retail, where inspiration, innovation, and action converge , rather than simply an exhibition space. This approach mirrors the successful format established at Eletrolar Show, facilitating in-person meetings between industry and retail partners to eliminate trade barriers and enhance networking opportunities.

Mexico City serves as an economic hub for the entire region, with the country recognized as a regional center with modern infrastructure enabling efficient logistics throughout the continent. The location proves strategic given Mexico’s increasing role in global supply chains and manufacturing, especially as companies seek alternatives amid international trade disputes.

The Mexico-Brazil Chamber provides institutional support, reflecting the event’s role in strengthening bilateral trade relationships. Media coverage includes partnerships with outlets like Infobea, Energía Hoy, and Canton Fair Net, ensuring broad industry awareness across Spanish and Portuguese-speaking markets.

The opening day draws thousands of qualified visitors and hundreds of confirmed exhibitors across consumer electronics, home appliances, and related technology sectors. The event attracts decision-makers from retail chains, specialty stores, e-commerce platforms, and distribution networks throughout Mexico and neighboring regions. Attendees engage in business rounds, networking sessions, innovation forums, and conferences covering market opportunities in Mexico. These components mirror successful formats from the Brazilian and Argentine events, adapted for the Mexican market’s specific characteristics.

“This is the only show that Mexico has for consumer electronics,” Clur notes, emphasizing the event’s unique position in the market. “We believe that we will arrive with a very strong network in Latin America. This is our differential, but we think we have very long work for the next years.”

The inaugural Electronics Home Mexico establishes Grupo Eletrolar’s presence in North America’s largest Spanish-speaking market, completing their regional coverage across Latin America’s three major economic centers while addressing the current global trade environment’s challenges and opportunities. Early activity indicates strong interest from both exhibitors and buyers, with business meetings already underway across the exhibition floor. The event demonstrates Mexico’s growing importance as a strategic hub for electronics trade in the Americas.

The post We’re Live at Electronics Home Mexico: Latin America’s Newest B2B Electronics Expo first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Tiny pogo robot shows a different kind of robotics locomotion https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/06/17/tiny-pogo-robot-shows-a-different-kind-of-robotics-locomotion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tiny-pogo-robot-shows-a-different-kind-of-robotics-locomotion Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:45:24 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=559141

Tiny pogo robot shows a different kind of robotics locomotion

When it comes to locomotive robots, we’re used to seeing those that have wheels, treads, or multi-legged designs. That’s our traditional view of robots, especially...
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When it comes to locomotive robots, we’re used to seeing those that have wheels, treads, or multi-legged designs. That’s our traditional view of robots, especially when they’re tasked with carrying loads, transporting objects, or navigating environments that are hazardous or inaccessible to humans. These familiar designs have proven effective in a range of applications but the field of robotics is undergoing a period of rapid innovation, with researchers and engineers actively experimenting with unconventional forms of movement. These new approaches are pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve, enabling them to tackle challenges and navigate terrains that would be difficult or impossible for traditional robots. As a result, we are beginning to witness the emergence of robots that can jump, slither, hop, or even fly.

Researchers at UC Berkeley have introduced something unique in the robotics world: a tiny pogo robot that bounces its way forward with remarkable agility and efficiency. This robot is called SALTO, which is short for Saltatorial Locomotion on Terrain Obstacles, and is able to do more even with just one leg to stand on, so to speak. Taking their inspiration from jumping animals like the bush baby or galago, the engineers were able to make this leap, land, and rebound in quick succession while still maintaining balance and direction.

Designer: UC Berkeley

Unlike conventional robots that stride or roll, SALTO exploits a pogo-stick-like mechanism. It uses a precision-controlled motor and spring system to generate powerful, controlled jumps. After each landing, it rapidly resets and launches itself again, allowing it to traverse complex terrain with a speed and nimbleness uncommon in machines its size. It can jump up to one meter high as if it’s flying through the air and it’s fast enough to compare to small animals. Because of advanced algorithms, it’s able to control the direction and trajectory even when they’re mid-flight. The single-legged design also makes it energy-efficient.

Robots like SALTO could revolutionize how machines are used in search and rescue, exploration, and inspection tasks. Their ability to hop over debris, gaps, or rough terrain might make them invaluable in environments where wheels or multiple legs would get stuck or prove unwieldy. In practical terms, this means a robot could, for example, navigate collapsed buildings after an earthquake or traverse Martian landscapes in ways that traditional rovers cannot. While it’s still in its research project phase, this has a huge potential in terms of radically different designs in robotics. With ongoing advancements, such pogo-inspired robots could soon be deployed in real-world applications, pushing the boundaries of what robots can do—and where they can go.

The post Tiny pogo robot shows a different kind of robotics locomotion first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Self-balancing cube robot demonstrates robotics and engineering principles https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/06/04/self-balancing-cube-robot-demonstrates-robotics-and-engineering-principles/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=self-balancing-cube-robot-demonstrates-robotics-and-engineering-principles Wed, 04 Jun 2025 16:30:01 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=556469

Self-balancing cube robot demonstrates robotics and engineering principles

Robots are not anymore just limited to the ones we envision because of sci-fi movies and TV shows. While there are still of course a...
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Robots are not anymore just limited to the ones we envision because of sci-fi movies and TV shows. While there are still of course a lot being developed that may resemble humans, or at least human movement, there are also those that come in all shapes and sizes. Some are meant to be functional while some are a bit more experimental in nature. There are also those that may seem like a toy but are meant to demonstrate what these robotic devices can do.

In something that brings robotics, automation, and STEM education together, the NikolaToy ESP32 Self-Balancing Cube Robot emerges as a captivating blend of science, engineering, and play. Inspired by the groundbreaking Cubli project developed at ETH Zurich, this compact robotic cube doesn’t just roll — it balances, jumps, spins, and entertains, all while showcasing the fascinating dynamics of motion control and inertia. At first glance, the NikolaToy may appear to be a simple metal cube, but beneath its sleek exterior lies an advanced system of sensors, motors, and algorithms.

Designer: NikolaToy

Powered by the ESP32 microcontroller, the robot employs a reaction wheel-based balancing mechanism — essentially, it uses internal flywheels (weighted discs) that spin rapidly to create torque, which in turn allows the cube to maintain balance on its edges or even a single corner. This is the same principle that allows satellites in space to adjust their orientation without thrusters. Now, that same concept is in a toy-sized package, ready for experimentation and fun.

Using data from onboard gyroscopes and accelerometers, the NikolaToy can stand itself upright and balance precariously in ways that defy intuition. The robot isn’t just about stillness. It can jump from a resting position to standing, and even spin itself in place — a remarkable feat for a device with no external wheels or legs. Via a mobile app (iOS/Android), users can interact with the robot, adjusting its behavior and triggering movements remotely.

This robot isn’t just a novelty toy of course. It can be used for classroom demonstrations of physics principles like angular momentum, feedback loops, and inertia for STEM students and educators. The open-source nature also makes it a fantastic tool for custom modifications or as a base for more complex robotics projects. It’s more than just a toy (although it can be that as well) as it’s a a tangible manifestation of engineering principles in action. Whether you’re a student exploring physics, a developer experimenting with control algorithms, or a tech enthusiast looking for your next gadget obsession, this little cube has a lot to offer.

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Tailor Is A Playful Tabletop Robot That Brings AI Voices to Life https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/05/30/tailor-is-a-playful-tabletop-robot-that-brings-ai-voices-to-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tailor-is-a-playful-tabletop-robot-that-brings-ai-voices-to-life Fri, 30 May 2025 17:00:06 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=555520

Tailor Is A Playful Tabletop Robot That Brings AI Voices to Life

Imagine a future where your favorite AI assistant isn’t hiding in your phone or smart speaker but is sitting right beside you, nodding along and...
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Imagine a future where your favorite AI assistant isn’t hiding in your phone or smart speaker but is sitting right beside you, nodding along and making eye contact. That’s the dream behind Tailor, the tabletop robot concept, which puts a friendly face and a little personality on the invisible voices we’ve all grown used to. No more talking into the void; Tailor makes digital conversation feel delightfully grounded.

Tailor isn’t some clunky robot with blinking lights and awkward limbs. Instead, its charm lies in a gentle, tiltable head that acts as both a screen and a face, propped up by a hinge that works like a neck. When you speak, Tailor listens, perks up, or even tilts with curiosity, bringing a sense of presence to those every day chats with your AI. It’s a bit like having a pet that reacts to your mood, only this one’s powered by the Tail AI system.

Designer: Sseo Kimm

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There’s something oddly comforting about watching Tailor’s head move and its screen-face animate in response to your words. It takes the coldness out of technology, making every interaction feel a little warmer, a little more genuine. Instead of invisible algorithms, you get a companion who is right there on your desk, ready to nod, tilt, or glance around as if it’s sharing the moment with you.

The magic is in the details: the way Tailor’s head gently pivots when it’s thinking, or how it rests in a relaxed pose when waiting for your next command. Its body is sleek, with soft edges and a neutral color scheme that helps it blend into any room, but it’s the expressive movement that catches your attention. The hinge lets Tailor look attentive or bashful, depending on the mood of the exchange, and its digital face keeps things simple and inviting.

The Tail AI system that powers Tailor is designed to roam across your digital life, but this robot concept gives it a real seat at the table, literally. It’s easy to imagine Tailor quietly keeping you company, responding with subtle gestures whether you’re asking for the weather or searching for a lost file. The physicality of the robot bridges the gap between abstract AI and the tangible world you can actually touch.

There’s a playful side to Tailor, too. Watching it react to your voice with a tilt or a nod feels like a secret handshake between you and your gadget. It turns routine interactions into moments of connection, making even the simplest tasks feel kind of special. The robot’s approachable design keeps things light, never veering into uncanny territory, and always seeming ready to listen.

Even though Tailor only lives as a concept for now, it hints at a future where artificial intelligence isn’t just a voice in the air. It becomes something you can look at, talk to, and maybe even feel a little attached to. For anyone who’s ever wished their AI helper could be a bit more like a friend, this design is a peek into a friendlier, more tactile tomorrow.

The post Tailor Is A Playful Tabletop Robot That Brings AI Voices to Life first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Cyborg cockroaches uses tiny helmets to steer around areas https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/05/27/cyborg-cockroaches-uses-tiny-helmets-to-steer-around-areas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cyborg-cockroaches-uses-tiny-helmets-to-steer-around-areas Tue, 27 May 2025 08:45:28 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=554774

Cyborg cockroaches uses tiny helmets to steer around areas

When you hear the words cockroach cyborgs, do you think, “That’s an interesting way of creating small robots that can do what the regular sized...
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When you hear the words cockroach cyborgs, do you think, “That’s an interesting way of creating small robots that can do what the regular sized robots can’t!” ? Or do you scream in terror and think of all the way bad things that will go wrong when we have cockroach overlords? Of course it’s an exaggeration although I understand that some people have a real fear of cockroaches, and seeing a robot or cyborg biohybrid version of it can still bring the heebeejeebies. So it’s important to understand why scientists and roboticists would actually think of creating something like this and how it’s important in fields like surveillance, rescue, and environmental monitoring.

Researchers at the University of Osaka have developed a groundbreaking method to control cockroach cyborgs using ultraviolet (UV) light, eliminating the need for invasive procedures or electrical stimulation.This innovative approach leverages the insects’ natural aversion to UV light, allowing precise navigation without harming the creatures. Traditional methods of controlling insect cyborgs often involve invasive surgeries and electrical shocks, which can damage the insects’ sensory organs and lead to decreased responsiveness over time. In contrast, the Osaka team fitted cockroaches with miniature UV light helmets that exploit their innate tendency to avoid bright light, particularly in the UV spectrum. By directing UV light into one eye, researchers can steer the cockroach left or right, guiding its movement through various environments .

Designer: University of Osaka

Each cockroach is equipped with a wireless sensor backpack that monitors its motion.If the insect stops moving, the UV light activates to prompt it forward, conserving energy and reducing unnecessary stimulation. In controlled experiments, these cyborg insects demonstrated remarkable consistency, successfully navigating maze-like environments in 94% of trials, compared to just 24% for unmodified cockroaches. The non-invasive, light-based control system opens new possibilities for deploying insect cyborgs in scenarios where traditional robots may falter. This includes navigating through debris to look for survivors in search and rescue operations in disaster zones. Another application is in environmental monitoring where these cyborg cockroaches can access delicate ecosystems without causing disruption.

While this technology offers significant advantages, it also raises ethical questions regarding the use of living organisms in technological applications.However, the researchers emphasize that their method minimizes harm by avoiding invasive procedures and working in harmony with the insects’ natural behaviors. As the field of bio-hybrid robotics advances, such innovations could lead to more sustainable and ethical approaches to integrating biological systems with technology, paving the way for new tools in disaster response, environmental conservation, and beyond.

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The Anki Vector Died And Gave Birth To The Focus Buddy: Hands-on at BEYOND Expo 2025 https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/05/22/the-anki-vector-died-and-gave-birth-to-the-focus-buddy-hands-on-at-beyond-expo-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-anki-vector-died-and-gave-birth-to-the-focus-buddy-hands-on-at-beyond-expo-2025 Thu, 22 May 2025 21:30:34 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=553957

The Anki Vector Died And Gave Birth To The Focus Buddy: Hands-on at BEYOND Expo 2025

Remember the Vector? A tiny tractor-shaped anthropomorphized robot that sat on your desk, held up snacks, and kept you company? If you do, you also...
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Remember the Vector? A tiny tractor-shaped anthropomorphized robot that sat on your desk, held up snacks, and kept you company? If you do, you also remember its unceremonious demise. Anki folded due to bankruptcy, selling all its assets to another company that pretty much killed the Vector’s functionality. It’s sort of like the Humane AI pin, which ended up getting pretty much shuttered after the company declared it was shutting down. There are now thousands of Anki Vector toys just gathering dust, sitting in the shadow of what could have been.

However, a similar product may be fulfilling the Vector’s role, with the exact same demeanor and cuteness. Meet the Focus Buddy, a tiny robot designed to look like an anthropomorphic computer, sitting on your desk. Like the Vector, the Focus Buddy interacts with you, through input and expression – however, it has a more distinct purpose than simply entertainment – its purpose is to boost human focus.

Designer: Neurofocus.ai

Focus Buddy is a tiny touch-enabled device that uses a combination of sensors to check your attentiveness. Think a pomodoro timer but with AI chops. It’s playful, but plays a pretty fundamental role in your productivity, checking to see if you’re attentive, distracted, or just dissociating (mea culpa).

The tiny device, no larger than a chonky webcam, sits on your tabletop, with a 2-ish inch screen that usually shows a friendly face with blinking eyes similar to the Anki Vector. Tap the screen, and you can access a variety of settings as well as games that help boost your focus.

The way the Focus Buddy works is simple yet advanced. A webcam on top captures your face, reading your gaze, how many times you blink, and whether you look attentive, sleepy, or just listless. However, a millimeter-wave sensor inside the robot also manages to read your heart rate, combining the two metrics to judge your focus. If it detects a drop, it alerts you, and encourages you to either get back to work, or boost your focus using one of its on-board focus-enhancing exercises.

The device is currently in a very rudimentary phase (the company is purely China-based and hasn’t even built its website yet), with its makers looking to slowly reach critical mass. For now, however, the Focus Buddy is a perfect symbol of what the Vector could have been – a buddy that guides you through the day and enables you to be your best self. Also, it’s the perfect size for cat-hats, so you can customize your Focus Buddy with a rodeo had, a tiara, probably even a modded 3D printed Batman or Iron Man mask that works without blocking the screen or impeding the webcam!

The post The Anki Vector Died And Gave Birth To The Focus Buddy: Hands-on at BEYOND Expo 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Why is China Obsessed with Humanoid Robots? https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/05/22/why-is-china-obsessed-with-humanoid-robots/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-is-china-obsessed-with-humanoid-robots Thu, 22 May 2025 19:15:31 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=553939

Why is China Obsessed with Humanoid Robots?

It’s so uncanny how culture eventually shapes the technology around us. Self-driving tech made in the USA would NEVER work in the global south or...
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It’s so uncanny how culture eventually shapes the technology around us. Self-driving tech made in the USA would NEVER work in the global south or countries like India – it wouldn’t anticipate street animals or local vehicles. Similarly, tech developed for and from countries like China might be fairly global, but I did notice a big difference at the BEYOND Expo this year – an absolute multitude of humanoid robots.

To be fair, this isn’t my first China expo; I visited Shanghai for CES Asia (when it was still a thing), and noticed the exact same pattern there too. While I speculate the West generally fears robots and the power they hold over humanity (look at every bit of pop culture, from Terminator to Love, Death, and Robots), the East doesn’t hold such reservations. In countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, humanoid robots thrive, working as concierges, assistants, and even talented parts of the workforce (we even saw robot musicians). So it got me asking myself – why is China obsessed with Humanoid Robots?

Eyevolution’s team is committed to implanting eyes and brains into robots, creating bionic beings

This East/West divergence isn’t merely aesthetic; it’s deeply cultural. In the West, robots often symbolize existential threats. From Skynet’s apocalyptic AI in “Terminator” to Ultron’s malevolent intelligence in “Avengers,” robots are frequently portrayed as harbingers of doom. Even the Decepticons in “Transformers” embody this fear. Conversely, Eastern narratives, particularly in China and Japan, depict robots as allies. Astro Boy, created by Osamu Tezuka, is a benevolent android hero. Gundams are piloted protectors, not autonomous threats. These stories foster a perception of robots as companions and protectors. However, that’s just my theory.

A demo robot from SenseTime

At the 2024 World Robot Conference in Beijing, over 27 different models were unveiled, showcasing the country’s commitment to leading in this sector. Officials emphasize that these robots are designed to assist, not replace, human workers, aiming to enhance productivity and undertake tasks in hazardous environments. This approach aligns with the cultural narrative of robots as helpers and protectors.

This cultural lens influences real-world applications. China’s government actively promotes humanoid robotics. At the X-Humanoid innovation center in Beijing, officials emphasized that these robots aim to assist, not replace, human workers. They are designed for tasks humans find hazardous or undesirable, such as deep-sea exploration or space missions.

A humaoid robot from Noetix

Unitree’s G1 humanoid bot

Demographics also play a role. China faces a rapidly aging population, with the number of people over 65 increasing significantly. To address the impending caregiver shortage, the government is integrating humanoid robots into eldercare. These robots can provide companionship, monitor health, and assist with daily activities, offering a solution to the demographic challenge.

Eastern philosophies and religions, such as Buddhism and Taoism, often emphasize harmony between humans and their environment, including technology. This perspective supports the integration of robots into society as harmonious entities rather than disruptive forces. The concept of techno-animism, where technology is imbued with spiritual essence, further explains the comfort with humanoid robots in Eastern cultures.

The AlphaBot 2 is touted as a ‘real world AGI robot’

Noetix Hobbs mimicking human expressions

That philosophical outlook ends up shaping how China makes its humanoid robots. Below is Huawei’s FusionCube Chat Bot, a fun robot designed to assist and answer questions. Unitree’s G1 robot retails for $16,000 and is used in elder-care, having the robot perform human activities that the owner is too old to do or physically incapable of doing. On the other hand, some robots are made for special activities, like the Hobbs from Noetix, designed to expertly mimic human expressions – something that works great in human-like applications but also in movies and entertainment.

Huawei FusionCube ChatBot

The result is a society where humanoid robots are not only accepted but celebrated. At the Spring Festival Gala, robots performed traditional dances alongside humans, symbolizing this integration. In marathons, humanoid robots run alongside human participants, showcasing their capabilities and societal acceptance.

China’s approach to humanoid robotics is a confluence of cultural narratives, governmental support, demographic necessity, and philosophical harmony. This multifaceted embrace positions China at the forefront of humanoid robot integration, offering a distinct contrast to Western apprehensions.

Hexuan’s robots can play music with the same dexterity as a human

The post Why is China Obsessed with Humanoid Robots? first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Ace Your Tennis Training with Acemate’s Revolutionary Rally Robot https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/05/13/ace-your-tennis-training-with-acemates-revolutionary-rally-robot/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ace-your-tennis-training-with-acemates-revolutionary-rally-robot Wed, 14 May 2025 01:45:47 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=551072

Ace Your Tennis Training with Acemate’s Revolutionary Rally Robot

Tennis players know the struggle of finding consistent practice partners who match their skill level and availability. Traditional ball machines offer repetitive feeds but lack...
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Tennis players know the struggle of finding consistent practice partners who match their skill level and availability. Traditional ball machines offer repetitive feeds but lack the dynamic interaction that makes tennis truly engaging and effective for skill development. While these machines can help with basic shot repetition, they fail to simulate the unpredictability, movement, and strategic elements that define real match play, leaving serious players with a significant gap in their training options.

Enter Acemate, the revolutionary tennis robot that transforms solo practice into an authentic rally experience. Unlike conventional ball machines that simply shoot balls in predetermined patterns, Acemate actively moves across the court, tracks your shots with 4K binocular vision, and returns balls with human-like groundstrokes that respond to your play style. This breakthrough technology creates a training experience that closely mimics actual match conditions, allowing players to develop not just technical skills but also the tactical awareness and decision-making abilities essential for competitive success.

Designer: Acemate

Click Here to Buy Now: $1499 $2329 ($830 off). Hurry, only 28/290 left! Raised over $1,001,000.

The robot’s 4K binocular camera system represents a quantum leap beyond the monocular vision found in other training devices. By capturing depth and speed similar to human eyes, Acemate achieves centimeter-level accuracy in tracking both the ball and your movements across the court. This precision enables the robot to position itself optimally for returns while analyzing your technique in real time, providing an experience that feels remarkably natural and responsive compared to the static drills of traditional practice methods.

Players of all levels will appreciate Acemate’s versatile training modes designed to target specific aspects of the game. The Baseline Rally mode delivers customizable groundstrokes that keep you moving laterally and testing your consistency from the back of the court. Mini-court Rally offers gentler exchanges perfect for beginners or warm-up sessions, while Net Rally mode focuses on volleys with controlled feeds that enhance your reactions and hand-eye coordination at the net, addressing the full spectrum of skills needed for complete player development.

Advanced players seeking higher-intensity training will love the Pro-level Simulation mode, which recreates iconic rally patterns inspired by ATP and Grand Slam matches. This feature allows you to experience the rhythm and intensity of professional exchanges, pushing your footwork, shot selection, and stamina to new heights. For serve practice, Acemate functions as both ball boy and coach, delivering balls directly to your hand while measuring serve speed and tracking placement accuracy, eliminating the tedious ball collection that typically interrupts valuable practice time.

This versatility is thanks to Acemate’s mobility system, featuring four Mecanum wheels that allow omnidirectional movement, enabling the robot to glide across the court with surprising agility. This movement capability means you’ll be challenged to hit shots to different court positions just as you would against a human opponent, improving your court coverage and shot placement under realistic conditions. The robot adjusts its positioning based on your shots, creating the dynamic back-and-forth that makes tennis so engaging and developing the spatial awareness that static training simply cannot provide.

The companion app transforms your smartphone or Apple Watch into a powerful training command center, offering real-time performance metrics and customization options from ball velocity to landing spots to shot types. After each session, receive comprehensive reports detailing your performance, as well as actionable insights that guide your improvement with the precision of professional coaching. The robot’s compact form and retractable handle make it surprisingly portable, and compatibility with all court surfaces without special setups maximizes your valuable practice time.

With Acemate, your tennis practices transform from monotonous ball feeding into dynamic, responsive training that mirrors match conditions. Players gain a consistent, tireless partner that adapts to their level while providing detailed performance analytics previously available only to professionals. This breakthrough technology finally solves tennis’s fundamental training challenge, allowing players to develop complete game awareness and tactical skills even when hitting solo on the court.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1499 $2329 ($830 off). Hurry, only 28/290 left! Raised over $1,001,000.

The post Ace Your Tennis Training with Acemate’s Revolutionary Rally Robot first appeared on Yanko Design.

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KUKA hirob rehabilitation robot mimics movement of a horse to help rider with improvement of motor skills https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/05/13/kuka-hirob-rehabilitation-robot-mimics-movement-of-a-horse-to-help-rider-with-improvement-of-motor-skills/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kuka-hirob-rehabilitation-robot-mimics-movement-of-a-horse-to-help-rider-with-improvement-of-motor-skills Wed, 14 May 2025 00:30:14 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=552033

KUKA hirob rehabilitation robot mimics movement of a horse to help rider with improvement of motor skills

Rehabilitation robots, such as exoskeletons designed for gait training after a stroke, surgery, or limb injury, as well as companion robots that assist seniors with...
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Rehabilitation robots, such as exoskeletons designed for gait training after a stroke, surgery, or limb injury, as well as companion robots that assist seniors with loneliness and dementia, are helping patients recover from injuries and mobility disorders while ensuring their independence. A new addition to this growing list is creating a buzz online. It’s called hirob, and it is a robotic arm that mimics the motion of a horse to aid in the rehabilitation and improvement of motor functions in patients.

hirob is the brainchild of KUKA, a global robotics developer known for its industrial robots and automation solutions. The horse-inspired robot is based on the company’s industrial robot arm, which has been reworked to replicate the horse’s movement. Provided with a saddle, the patient can sit on and ride hirob to regain their motor skills and mobility.

Designer: KUKA

According to KUKA, hirob system, based on the KR QUANTEC robot arm – originally an industrial go-getter that handles heavy loads – has been trimmed down to simulate the movement of a horse to enhance motor function in patients with neurological conditions or those recovering from surgery or injury. This lends automation and rehabilitation independence to the existing technique called hippotherapy, which involves therapeutic horseback riding as a common way to improve movement and motor function in individuals.

This robotic therapy solution in the form of hirob, thus helps patients improve coordination, balance, and muscle strength in the back, trunk, and pelvic. It depicts the horse’s multi-dimensional walking motion and rhythm, which feels like being on the back of an actual horse, without the risk of falls. The hirob is a secure and risk-free simulation that allows therapists to work with their patients without the danger of falls. Better still is the adjustable intensity of the horse’s movement that therapists can control according to the patients’ requirements.

To this accord, the hirob allows the patient to sit comfortably on its saddle-style seat while the therapist puts the robotic arm below into multi-dimensional movement in the desired intensity using the onboard physical buttons and a small display monitor. The patient, then reacts to these motions and movements of the robotic horse – in the completely controlled environment – so that the neuromuscular system is tiggered much like in the way when someone rides a horse, of course, without the safety and logistical barriers of riding a real horse for hippotherapy which encourages specific pelvic moments to regain motor skills and improve the back posture. Compared to the existing hippotherapy process, the KUKA hirob is cost effective, safe and a more controlled therapy system. Technological advancements are changing the lives of the mobility challenged for the better every day, and the hirob is a good answer to the unasked question, how!

 

The post KUKA hirob rehabilitation robot mimics movement of a horse to help rider with improvement of motor skills first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Unitree B2 robotic dog gets promoted to a firefighting job with upgraded hardware https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/05/09/unitree-b2-robotic-dog-gets-promoted-to-a-firefighting-job-with-upgraded-hardware/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=unitree-b2-robotic-dog-gets-promoted-to-a-firefighting-job-with-upgraded-hardware Fri, 09 May 2025 15:20:54 +0000 https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=551263

Unitree B2 robotic dog gets promoted to a firefighting job with upgraded hardware

Boston Dynamics Spot the dog robot has set the precedent for personal robotic pets that are way smarter than your average robotic toy. Unitree B2...
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Boston Dynamics Spot the dog robot has set the precedent for personal robotic pets that are way smarter than your average robotic toy. Unitree B2 has somehow taken the idea of a dog robot to the next level, and it is much more affordable to own compared to Spot. It is almost half the price of the Boston Dynamics’ innovation. Designed by the Chinese company, Unitree Robotics, the four-legged robot is superior in speed, agility, and maximum payload capacity.

Both these robotic dog rivals have their own set of advantages, but from a sheer owning point of view, the better bet is Unitree B2. Given its performance and mobility attributes, the robot is ideal for emergency situations or operating in hazardous environments like a fire breakout. That’s the reason the Chinese robotic firm has created a firefighting version of the B2 robot to assist the tactical response team.

Designer: Unitree

To give the robotic dog a promotion from the monotonous daily tasks, there are a few upgrades in place. These add-ons and improvements to existing hardware make it capable of taking on nature’s fury head-on. Modular design is the key as it can adapt to real-life situations, giving first responders the option to tailor B2 for the mission at hand. The quadruped is equipped with a powerful cannon capable of spraying water or foam to a distance of 60 meters with an 85-degree freedom to direct the front hose. That at a flow speed of 40 liters per second, to doze off even the most raging fires. The hose can activate the sprinkler mode to shower the robot with water if things get too hot to handle. B2 can do this in urban scenarios as well as rugged terrain, thanks to a better robotic DNA.

B2 firefighting robot has upgraded joints that perform 170% better than the regular B2 model. This gives the liberty to climb obstacles of up to 15 inches or climb steep stairs with an inclined of 45 degrees. Thus making the firefighting B2 no match to a human in dangerous, crumbled buildings, places with toxic gases, or burning hot, rugged ground in a forest fire. The robot can autonomously detach the fire hose supplying the water or foam after the task at a designated site is finished. B2 is completely dust and waterproof, which makes complete sense as it has to operate in very hostile environments. It comes with an air-blower unit that can be attached to extinguish forest fires safely by cutting the connection between flames and combustibles.

The quadruped robot will have to operate for long durations in tough missions, hence, Unitree has loaded it with a hot-swap battery system. Firefighting B2 has already shown what it is capable of during the Qingdao Firefighting and Rescue Support Team drill. To enhance the bot’s capability, there are advanced attachments including robotic arms, LiDAR systems, communication gear, and video feed rigs.

The post Unitree B2 robotic dog gets promoted to a firefighting job with upgraded hardware first appeared on Yanko Design.

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