M.T. Richardson of Vidoop (where we’ll be having the pre-CyborgCamp party) first suggested this as a topic at the Inverge afterparty. It’s been stuck in my head ever since.

But what about you all? What invention have you been promised that hasn’t panned out? For me, it is definitely awesome computer interfaces. We can’t even touch data today! I suppose we’ll be hearing all about it on Saturday, December 6th.

Hexapods

Sure they may look weird, but we’re all about embracing strange amalgamations of humans and computers. With that in mind, here are some dancing robots from the “Best of the third Austrian Hexapod Championships: Dance Category’.

A hexapod is a six-legged robot. Technologists prefers to install wheels for locomotion purpose, but nature equips its creatures with legs, which are advantageous when it comes to moving securely across uneven terrain. The video is from Hagenberg/Austria.

Just like in a “real” soccer match, the stars of the robot football European championship will be cheered on by their supporters. But these aren’t flesh-and-blood fans; they’re so-called hexapod robots.

The Top 10 in the Austrian Hexapod Championship’s Dance category will be livening things up during halftime breaks.

Running is a very complex process. Robots with six legs have proven to be the simplest and most secure variant. The Hardware/Software Systems Engineering program at Hagenberg Technical College stages an annual championship for six-legged robots. This year, 39 teams from schools throughout Austria took part. The aim is to get as many students as possible fired up about robotics.

Anyone who’s interested can get a free Hexapod 2008 DVD from the 2008 Hexapod Championships. Read more at the EUROBY2008 website.

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What does this have to do with CyborgCamp? Everything. Well, not everything. It’s just fodder for thought. Also, comic relief. Finally, we are seeing robots with enough motor control to entertain us a little more than usual. Here are robots with personality!