We are living in the age of robotics. The world today is increasingly influenced by machinery and technology. While some fear that robots will steal our jobs or even turn against us, not all robots are threatening. Some are just plain weird!
Across the globe, scientists are developing mind-boggling machinery and bizarre AI. In recent years, we’ve seen sassy androids, shape-shifting submarines, and devices that let fish and bees communicate. From cuddle machines to worm-powered Lego, here are ten of the weirdest robots ever built.
Irony Man: The Sassy Robot
Fans of Douglas Adams will remember Marvin The Paranoid Android, the depressed robot from The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy. But what about a sassy android? Imagine a robot that rolls its eyes and fires off sarcastic comments.
Scientists from Ausburg University created Irony Man. This robot is programmed with a sense of irony to be more relatable than a typical AI. Unlike most monotone talking machines, Irony Man mirrors human speech patterns. If someone says, “Traffic is frustrating,” Irony Man might retort, “I love being stuck here,” with sarcastic emphasis.
Why create a smart-mouthed robot? Its creators believed it would be easier to connect with if it spoke like a real person. And they were right! Students found Irony Man more endearing than standard machines. However, his lack of tact raises concerns. He can use sarcasm but can’t judge if it’s appropriate, sometimes coming off as obnoxious.
Skybot F-850: Russia’s Robot Astronaut
Skybot F-850 is an android astronaut designed by the Russian space agency for life on the International Space Station (ISS). This fully automated machine underwent five years of development to prepare for space.
The six-foot android is built from sturdy materials to endure zero-gravity. It’s programmed to avoid damaging the space station. In the summer of 2019, Skybot spent two weeks on the ISS as a “social companion” to the human crew. It conversed with astronauts, answered questions, and even told jokes.
Skybot also flew itself to the space station, commanding a Soyuz spacecraft and monitoring conditions in zero-gravity. According to Alexander Bloshenko, future robots like Skybot will handle risky tasks for humans, such as extravehicular activities and telemetry operations on other planets.
Lovot: The Cuddly Robot Who Fights Loneliness
In today’s fast-paced world, loneliness is a significant issue. For those struggling with companionship, Japanese startup Groove X created Lovot: a furry robot who comforts those in need of a friend.
Lovot is an affable machine that quickly warms up to its owner. Its fleecy “skin” is warm and cuddly, always ready for close contact. Lovot’s emotional bond strengthens as it learns its owner’s face and greets them upon arrival home.
Whether curing loneliness with artificial friendship is healthy is debatable. Regardless, Lovot has been selling in Japan for over a year and may soon be available in the US.
Robot Translator for Fish and Bees
In 2019, scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne built a robot that allows fish and bees to communicate. They created a translator to send messages between zebrafish and honeybees, conducting the experiment from Switzerland and Austria.
The robot issued commands to each species and translated their responses. Fish were shown colors or tail movements influencing their swimming, which was then translated into vibrations or temperature changes for the bees. The bees’ motion was translated back into signals for the fish.
Initially chaotic, the animals eventually responded to the stimuli. Communicating with animals has real-world applications, like preventing birds from flying over airports or warning bees about pesticides.
Lego Robot with the Brain of a Worm
Imagine mapping the entire human brain, digitizing all the pulses and electrical signals, and uploading them into a machine. While fully achieving this is ethically complex and far off, scientists have accomplished something similar with a tiny worm and some Lego.
In 2014, neuro-robotic researchers mapped the 302 neurons of a small ringworm and created a digital simulation. They then fed this virtual brain into a Lego robot with a sound sensor for a nose and two motors for its motor cortex.
With a little tweaking, the worm brain controlled the robot, driving it around a test station and preventing it from hitting walls. Eventually, researchers hope to simulate an entire worm, building the world’s first digital life form.
China’s Robot Traffic Police
In 2019, China deployed robots to manage its roads. The Handan Public Security Bureau utilizes three types of robots to support human officers. Each robot has a distinct function but similar designs.
The road patrol robot identifies and documents criminal behavior, even wearing a uniform and hat to resemble a human officer. The accident warning robot alerts drivers to incidents, while the advice traffic robot directs drivers at vehicle management stations and monitors security risks.
China is familiar with robot police officers. In 2016, Shenzhen Airport used a security robot, and in 2017, an E-Patrol Sheriff was introduced in Henan.
Julia: The Robot Who Taught Herself to Cook
Learning to cook is difficult, requiring years of culinary school and dedication. But what if a robot could learn to cook and prepare meals for you?
Researchers at the University of Maryland are developing Julia, a robot who teaches herself to cook by watching YouTube videos and replicating what she sees. Unlike most machines, Julia requires no step-by-step instructions.
Currently, Julia’s culinary skills are limited to basic tasks, but even this is an achievement. Simple tasks like pouring water are quite challenging for robots.
Robot Fish Powered by Synthetic Blood
A robotic fish powered by blood might sound like sci-fi horror, but it could be the future of energy-efficient robotics. Energy storage limits robotic design, causing devices to run out of power quickly or rely on heavy batteries.
The robot fish runs on a hydraulic fluid similar to real fish blood, allowing it to swim upstream for 36 hours. However, its speed is only 1.5 body lengths per minute.
Despite the slow speed, the robotic fish is a significant engineering achievement. Professor Rob Shepherd stated that integrating energy systems into robot components increases operational freedom.
Rwanda’s Healthcare Robots Fighting Coronavirus
In Kigali, Rwanda, robots lead the fight against coronavirus. Mechanized practitioners at treatment centers reduce staff exposure to COVID-19 patients, decreasing the risk of infection.
Designed by Zorabots, the five robots monitor patients’ vital signs, convey video messages, and correct mask-wearing. One robot screens up to 150 people per minute at Kigali International Airport.
Aquanaut: The Shape-Shifting Submarine
Transformers, robots that transform into vehicles, have captivated imaginations for decades. Houston Mechatronics Inc. has developed Aquanaut, a real-life Transformer—a semi-humanoid robot that converts into a submarine.
The goal was to combine the freedom of an underwater vehicle with the precision of a remotely operated bot. Built on a $23 million budget, Aquanaut is designed for deep-sea oil and gas pipelines.
Aquanaut begins in “submarine mode,” diving until it reaches its target. Then, it transforms, lifting its hull and unfurling arms for pipeline work. Equipped with a 3D sensor, stereo cameras, and a sonar system, Aquanaut represents cutting-edge innovation.
These robots, whether sassy, cuddly, or transformative, showcase the incredible and often bizarre advancements in robotics today. They highlight the creativity and ingenuity of scientists pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
What do you think about these robots? Which one surprised you the most? Leave a comment below!
