Zoobotics



While robots have thus far have been inspired by human forms, but a new trend in robotics is pushing robot design toward the shape of animals. And this isn’t just that robotic dog that was popular a few years ago; these robots will serve a functional purpose in the new world of “zoobotics.”


Humanoid robots and gadget-y autonomous machines can perform lots of tasks pretty admirably. But when you have a specific need, you need a specifically-equipped robot — which can mean making modifications to existing robot archetypes, or building a specialized ‘bot designed for a sole purpose. Welcome to the age of zoobotics, in which robots are inspired not by people, or restrained by technology like in the early days of robotics. Instead, zoobotics is animal-inspired.

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-07/hordes-animal-inspired-machines-lead-new-robotic-phylogenesis

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I know this is really geeky. Someone posted the dimensions of the actual energy domes:

Dimensions for the Energy Domes (a.k.a. Flowerpot Hats) from Klilin:

This taken from a hat I caught at a concert:
material-thin plastic (vacu-formed), crimson red
form-4layer slightly conical crossection stack
base-9.3/8 tapers to 8.5/8 , 1.3/4 tall
next-7.1/2 tapers to 7 , 1.3/4 tall
next-5.5/8 tapers to 5 , 1.1/4 tall
top- 3.3/4 tapers to 3.1/2 , 3/4 tall
total height-5
logo on top-

EV
D O

letter size-3/4
top embossed 3/64
all dimensions in inches

By the way, the domes sold through the fan club are not the same as the ones actually worn by DEVO - DEVO's domes are bigger and don't have the letters on top.
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Got a fresh look at those hats when I saw Deathcab for Cutie live in Toronto on Hallowe'en night last year. For their encore they all emerged wearing the same red vacuum formed hats and yellow plastic coveralls from the classic DEVO era and played 4 consecutive covers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YVn7v3O33c
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