Who Says Robots Can’t Dance?

Personally, as someone with the sense of rhythm of a rusty shock absorber, and a dancing style to match, I cannot help but feel somewhat peeved that a robot can strut its stuff better than me – though I ought not to be especially surprised. After all, the last time I tried dancing in public the general consensus seemed to be that I was suffering some kind of mild fit (and a girl actually offered to give up her chair for me).

The Robonova-1, in stark contrast, would never have this problem as it can not only dance, but it can dance extremely well – evening managing to pull some aerobatics out of its hat just for good measure. For, as well as walk, run, kick and stand on one leg (something I am yet to wholly accomplish without a set of stabilisers) Robonova-1 can also turn cartwheels and body flips (as well as stand on his head, do sit ups, etc).

If you want to see Robonovia-1 strutting its stuff, you can access a video of one of its hugely impressive dance routines below.

Powered by sixteen digital servomotors which were specially developed for this robot, and with an exoskeleton featuring gold anodized aluminium servo brackets for increased durability, Robonovia-1, who stands at 12” in height and weighs 3 lb – which, coincidentally is around my fighting weight – can either be operated via a remote control or programmed via software on a PC which will enable users to expand upon Robonovia-1’s moves via additional downloadable programming sequences (if only Olivia Newton-John could have proved so versatile).

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To view Robonovia-1 in action click on the picture of the video above (I have also provided an option for you to download the clip, should you wish).

By way of consolation (for me anyway) Robonovia-1’s endurance is not quite as impressive as my own as his rechargeable 5 cell NiMH barrety will only keep him going for 45 minutes (where as I have been known to last for a whole hour depending on ambient humidity though the wife no doubt would have something to say about this) and, at a cool $1,199.99, I also come in as being considerably cheaper.