May 042013
 
Japanese Technology from the Future Friday - Now With Akihabara News Cross-Publication

THIS WEEK’S DISPATCH: Anthrobotic teams up with Akihabara News to feed the JTFF, now an Akihabara News feature, back to Anthrobotic.com, and also a Japanese trailer for Pacific Rim, robots in the context of the global old, and Japan’s selling nuclear tech.

Apr 282013
 
Matt Denton (MANTIS) and Kogoro Kurata (KURATAS) are Robotics Rockstars

Weak: Science coverage in large-scale media outlets; Strong: Calling them on it; Better: Celebrating pure science for science’s sake exemplified by the awesomeness that is the recently unveiled six-legged MANTIS robot, vis-a-viś last year’s KURATAS robot mech.

Apr 212013
 
Sony Was Awesome at Robots; Not So Much With Reality

In 2006, to refocus and save cash, Sony canceled two of the most advanced robotics projects in history. Then we got 46 new VAIO models and an updated PSP that 4 people bought and they lost billions anyway. BRING BACK QRIO & AIBO!

Apr 182013
 
Japanese Robots aren't Creepy, Everyone Else is Just a Little... Behind?

While it’s 500% justified to make fun of a stimuli-responsive robotic ass or other novel projects from Japan, far too often we neglect to circle back around and present the actual merits and practical applications of the so-called “Creepy Japanese Robots.” Not this time!

Apr 132013
 
Japan's Robot Cars: Not Yet Good nor Evil nor FTL Spaceflight-Ready but Still Pretty Cool

Japan has some unique motivations to make robomobiles, and they’re on it! No, they don’t transform into sentient robotic warriors who’ve mastered interstellar travel yet still suck at compromise (seriously Transformers, you guys are dumb as hell), but the J-cars are cool.

Apr 082013
 
Japanese Industrial Robotics: Here's How Robots Don't Kill an Economy

A plurality of the world’s industrial robots are located in Japan – robots replaced a human labor force and then the humans got different, better, safer jobs, and all the anti-robot naysaying economists from the 60s & 70s got season passes to the All-Crow Buffet in heaven.

Mar 302013
 
BREAKING NEWS: Anthrobotic.com Releases Technosnark Virus into Mainstream Media

The technology dork in charge at Anthrobotic.com has infected yet another online news source: Japan Today’s beautifully made INSIGHT MAGAZINE. If you’ve got an iPad, subscribe! If you don’t have an iPad, get an iPad – then subscribe!