robot-alert!

Now, you could probably get QRIO or Asimo to throw a few punches if you annoyed them enough. But I suspect they'd both be pretty useless in a real scrap. This robot, on the other hand, is built to fight.

"Fighting Andy" is a fully autonomous sparring partner for boxers and kung fu champs to practise with.

From the sounds of it, Andy is no slouch in the ring either. The robot's creators, Self Defense Technologies, claim that the android can bob and weave just like a human opponent and can even throw several kinds of punch.

From the brochure: "Some of the punches capable of being thrown include, a straight punch, a single or double jab, an upper cut, a right or left cross, a hook, and various combinations of these punches. The device typically throws these punches towards the head, torso or arm regions of the fighter. Alternatively, the device may assume a defensive posture or throw a counter punching sequence towards the fighter."

The sales pitch ends on this cheerful note: "Our androids don't get tired!"

Perhaps the next version will be capable of illegal moves such as kneeing in the groin and biting the kidneys. Fighting Andy will go on show at this years CES show in Las Vegas, so be sure to drop by for a pasting.

Merry Christmas from RobotAlert!!
To show that robots can enjoy the festival season too, I thought I'd share this video clip of a robot attacking Santa Claus. I guess it got a unacceptably rubbish present this year - perhaps it really wanted a head that didn't look like a bucket covered in tin foil. Don't worry, though, it all ends ok - even if one of Santa's helpers does get roughed up. HO HO HO!

The makers of Roomba have developed a plucky new housekeeping robot, called Scooba. This helpful little droid mops and srubs tiled and hardwood floors and, together with Roomba, should keep your house autonomously tidy all year round.

I'm slightly concerned, however, that the FAQ section completely fails to mention how Roomba might react to the introduction of another robotic helper on his turf. Will he attempt to mate with Scooba? Or simply attack it using his powerful suction nozzle.

Catch a video of the nifty little Scooba in action at the IRobot home page here.

Another positive thought.

Microwaving hard boiled eggs is good, they explode.

We moved house last week. I have managed to get the computer set up but no broadband until some time in January it looks like. It is all very unpleasant and difficult.

I was going to write a post about it but why whinge? I will write more when I have something interesting to say. In fact that is my usual policy which is why I never write anything.

Here are some positive things. The new place has a lot more space. The rooms are big. We have had friends over a couple of times already and it is very nice, much better than having them to the flat. There is a garden for Anna to go in. The room my office is in has a window with plenty of sunlight. The wireless phone setup worked right away with no hassles, I have a handset in the upstairs back room that connects without any problem to the base station in the downstairs front room.

The living room is set up in the downstairs back room now which is very large and airy and pleasant. The kitchen is humongous. It is set up pretty much now allowing us to cook and eat dinner etc. We managed to do our xmas cards thanks to Anna. I have given the neighbours xmas cards too, and several of them gave us some. The skirting boards were finished yesterday so we can start sorting out the downstairs now.

Gipi has drawn some nice pictures on his blog. I got a good plug in Dazed and Confused magazine. We don't have broadband yet but the dialup is working fine and I was able to do a 9 to 5 job over it all this week.

It has been chaotic but things are settling down now.

Honda's Asimo has been upgraded and is officially ready to join the workforce.

His formidable new skills include carrying trays of coffee and pushing a small trolley around. And, of course, mincing around like a child in a spacesuit who badly needs the loo.