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Are Matt's Robot Hexapods Creepy or Cute? (Video)

Posted by Roblimo on from the you-put-your-right-foot-in-you-put-your-right-foot-out-you-pick-up-a-human-and-shake-it-all-about dept.

University of Arizona grad student Matt Bunting doesn't come across as a mad scientist. That's a very good thing, because his robot hexapod creations are easy to imagine crawling across the USA in large hordes, devouring everything in their path and using all the electricity they come across to feed their Queen Hexapod, a 3-D printer mounted on a hexapod chassis that turns everything fed to it into more robots. Luckily, the real life Matt is an affable (self-described) "Roboticist, Electrical Engineer, Musician, and Rock Crawler" who freely admits that at this time his robotic creations have no practical application whatsoever. This is probably true, except for the fact that they can liven up a music video like mad, as you can see on YouTube in Pedals Music Video (featuring REAL robots) . Our little video is a lot simpler, of course. In it, we interview Matt and he tells us what he's up to with his robots, and gives some 'how to get started with robotics' advice for budding young engineers. (Alternate Video Link)

16 of 35 comments (clear)

  1. Missing option: Hipster by OzPeter · · Score: 4, Funny

    3D printed legs, Intel Edison system board, machine vision camera and $4200 worth of drive motors.

    and all it does in the video is sit there and wobble like a drunk, white, middle aged guy at his daughters wedding reception.

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    1. Re:Missing option: Hipster by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      Yeah; I was expecting to see something that could top http://zentasrobots.com/ which has been covered on Slashdot a few times, but instead saw an ad for Edison and 3D printers. I find the MorpHex significantly more cute and creepy than this thing, even with its back-lit translucent body parts.

  2. Oh come on... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    There is no 3D printer that fits that description. What's this thing going to do? Eshaust its lipo-pack just getting across the street, then taking 6 hours to print a towel hook that's going to break in a week?

    Settle down you delusional loons, it's not quite Gray Goo just yet.

  3. UnBetteridge's law of headlines by alexhs · · Score: 3, Informative

    Are Matt's Robot Hexapods Creepy or Cute?

    Yes.

    --
    I have discovered a truly marvelous proof of killer sig, which this margin is too narrow to contain.
  4. Re:Um, creepy by TWX · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Or from the article summary title itself...

    Are Matt's Robot Hexapods Creepy or Cute?

    The correct response is Yes.

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  5. Technology inspires every one by CarmeloCerrelli1 · · Score: 1

    I always feel great to know that our upcoming generation is so technical. When we were young we never thought about robot and all but bravo Matt you are genius Thumbs up for you

  6. So... by BringsApples · · Score: 1

    Is the robot creepy or cute? yes. Does Matt start every sentence with "So..."? Yes. Drives me nuts? yes.

    --
    Politics; n. : A religion whereby man is god.
    1. Re: So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yes.

  7. I thought it was worse than you describe by s.petry · · Score: 1

    Not only a guy suffering from a midlife crisis, but pretending to play guitar while crappy synthetic sounds blast your ears. That "music" video should come with a disclaimer and warning. "Probably does not contain what you consider music, start with the volume really really low."

    I didn't study the rest of the article or person. I simply assume that his self proclaimed titles in other areas match his self proclaimed "musician" title, and are pretty much ego boosting statements with little to no truth. In fairness, I could be wrong but generally the first opinion is correct.

    --

    -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

    1. Re:I thought it was worse than you describe by sexconker · · Score: 1

      Yup. This is what Slashdot thinks we need to see. Useless self-cunnilating twats with shitty "accomplishments" that might have been neat a decade ago.

    2. Re:I thought it was worse than you describe by s.petry · · Score: 2

      Probably to you I am old, but I have a critical ear for music. I proably know more bands than you youngsters, and bet I play music at least as loud. I have played Drums since age 4 when I received my first Ludwig concert snare, kit since 11 when I received my first Rogers kit, and percussion since it was required for concert and jazz band since age 13. I listen to a variety of music, which in my opinion requires some ability with a musical instrument or real (not synthesized) vocals. I dig progressive rock because it's the most challenging to play (usually) so you will usually find me working on playing Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment, etc.. but I also play a lot of metal for warmup and exercise.

      I prefer a band that can perform live as well as they can in the studio, to me that's the mark of great musicians. I don't really have anything against a synthesizer because a great keyboardist integrates that into music. "Everything" being synthesized to me is just not music. It's one person with enough skill to enter some input into a program.

      --

      -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

    3. Re:I thought it was worse than you describe by g4sy · · Score: 1

      Never heard of the guy but his gulf song (among others) is really good. If you're a pretentious music asshole like me, then you should look it up. This guy has a really good ear for music. I hope he doesn't wreck it on dubstep.

      --
      somewhere, on a Big Red Sign:
      if(color==blue){speed--;}
  8. I foresee an ugly ending for us by hyades1 · · Score: 1

    If they teach these things to screw geeks, Slashdot is doomed! DOOMED, I tell you!

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    I've calculated my velocity with such exquisite precision that I have no idea where I am.
  9. I read that book when I was in college by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    "Mechasm" by John Sladek, 1968. Social satire built around self-replicating machines. Funnier when I re-read it a few years ago than it was on first publication. So once again we see life imitating art.

  10. .5 seconds per cut by Iamthecheese · · Score: 1

    If the only way to make your video more compelling is to jiggle it like a twelve year old with his first Penthouse maybe you should be using different subject matter. Not only has the video of 10,000 cuts been done a million times it wasn't that interesting in the first place.

    As for the robot I couldn't judge. Maybe a video of it lasting more than two seconds would help.

    --
    If video games influenced behavior the Pac Man generation would be eating pills and running away from their problems.
  11. Depends ... by Martin+Spamer · · Score: 1

    Depends on if you've watched Stargate, Replicator