We are on the verge of the robotic revolution…

Don’t be alarmed, I’m not talking about the inevitable Rise of the Machines. I’m talking about robotic domestic appliances like the Roomba that will clean our houses, wireless drones that deliver our mail, and driverless cars to be our designated drivers.

For years we have aspired to create the witty, logical android friends we’ve seen in movies, but don’t assume that a robot has to have sci-fi levels of artificial intelligence. A robot is essentially a (semi-)autonomous blend of electronics, computing and mechanics that is designed to complete a task for its human creators.

 

But are robots really the future, and why is it just coming now after so many years? Well Google seems to think so, having brought eight different robotics companies in the last year.

As to why it’s taken so long – in the past it has been too expensive to develop and buy the hardware components that allow the robots to take in and interact with their surroundings, like heat sensors, cameras and pressure sensors. Something as complex as a robot requires hundreds of hours of development and a lot of prototyping that just wasn’t feasible. But now, with the rise of smartphone technology, the price of components, such as microcontrollers like the Arduino chip, has fallen considerably.

 

More importantly, we’ve seen the rise of 3D printing. These printers allow for huge customization, cheap production of very specific parts and a quick way of prototyping in a large range of materials. In fact, there are already a host of robots you can print with your desktop 3D printer at home.

 

So if you’re bored of printing chess pieces and keyfobs, and you’re maker projects are just a bit too inanimate – get your screwdriver out, I think it’s time for you to start working on your robot army. Here’s a few to get you started:

 

InMoov

This impressive humanoid is the InMoov. Made from entirely 3D printed body parts combined with electronics, this guy is life size and voice commandable.This is the brainchild of Gael Langevin, who had no real robotics knowledge before he started developing the InMoov, so there’s hope for you yet. As the project is entirely open source, you can download all you need to assemble and programme your own right here.

This guy has eerily soulful eyes that make you hope it’s programmed with Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics, and wouldn’t look out of place with Will Smith. Unfortunately it’s current lack of legs means it is not quite battle-ready, but here’s an awesome if unsettling  video of the InMoov in action that’ll prove its worth .

 

Jimmy

This cute little dude is Jimmy made by computer multinationals Intel, who probably made the processor that’s helping your PC read this right now.

 

Intel have a dream that 2014’s newborns will grow up in a world where they have always been able to design and create their own robots. And now, with Jimmy, they can! If they have a spare $1,600 that is. That money get’s you the electronics, then you print the exoskeleton yourself in your shed. Printing the shell means you can make your own customisations, like armour plating and mounts for rocket launchers.

 

Designed to be adorable rather than terminate with extreme prejudice, Jimmy can talk, run around and loom ominously on command.

 

This Guy

Fancy something a bit more grass roots? Instructables contributer moverstreet007 has created low-cost DARwIN-OP clone that you can create yourself in your garage for under $1000. With impressively dynamic movement, he can do press-ups, headstands and even a cheeky left/right hook. Now we’re talking!

 

Designed to be a cheap replica with all the functionality of the original, projects like this really show the accessibility of robotics projects. The future of robotics is no longer just in the hands of big companies and well-funded projects, and it’s awesome to think that the future of robotics might be decided in an enthusiasts garage. You can find out how moverstreet007 did it on Make magazine’s blog.

 

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To find out how you can 3D print your own robot army (without breaking the bank!) visit MakerClub.org and support their IndieGoGo campaign: Learn 3D printed Robotics