Feb. 25, 2015 | By Roberto
Could you imagine a robot that can dance and dj, talk and even take care of your kids? It already exists. The XLR-ONE, dubbed "the droid you've been looking for," is the project of 47-year-old robotic and 3D-printing enthusiast Antonios Ameralis.
The XLR-ONE is a boxy white robot that has only one eye. It is equipped with an EZ-Robot WiFi Camera, powered directly by the EZ-B v4 WiFi Robot Controller.
As described by Ameralis, the CEO of XLR Robots, the XLR-ONE features "classic sci-fi design" and full motion robot arms with five points of movement. Its claws open and close for grabbing and holding objects, while wrist, elbow, and shoulder have 180 degrees of motion, almost like humans' ones.
As you can see, XLR-ONE can really dance.
The custom XLR-ONE themed EZ-Builder app allows you to control the robot via your Android or IOS mobile device. Additionally, you can also control the XLR-ONE via PC and voice commands. Moreover, the XLR-ONE is fully expandable via EZ-Builders simple drag and drop interface.
In fact, XLR-ONE is not just a robot, it is a 3D printed robot companion project. Ameralis says that the bot can help teach his children via flash cards, bring you things and even provide home security. "My mother-in-law owns a banquet hall, and we brought it to a birthday party," Ameralis says. "We had all the music programmed and run through Wi-Fi. With the facial recognition and a QR code, the robot was able to recognize the birthday boy and was able to follow him around, take requests, and name and play songs."
Because the XLR-ONE is customizable, it can potentially perform any task you require.
"By utilizing the on board camera, I created a Math Quiz script using QR coded flash cards. My son holds up the random QR flash cards and the XLR-ONE scans and reads the equation to him," says Ameralis. "My son responds by speaking the answer to the robot, which then determines if the answer is right or wrong, and responds accordingly. The possibilities are almost endless."
Ameralis has launched the XLR-ONE robot on Kickstarter, hoping to raise $10K. With a week to go, the project has reached 55 percent of its Kickstarter goal so far.
"The difference between this and other products, first, is the price point. It's way below a lot of others on the market. A lot are two to three thousand [dollars] and don't do half of what this robot does," he says. "It's also larger scale -- 30 inches tall -- with a unique design. It doesn't have wires hanging out. A lot of others have their backs exposed. They look like an unfinished school project. Mine are designed to be visually pleasing and fully functionally. It can run around your house without wires coming out everywhere."
According to Ameralis, XLR-ONE is a three-phase project: you can buy the kit and build it yourself, or go for the customized option or you can just buy a pre-built robot. The basic XLR-ONE starts at $499, which includes all HD 3D printed parts needed to build the XLR-ONE (EZ-Robot controller,battery and servos not included).
Ameralis says the funding will be partly used to expand his 3D printing farm. "We currently are running on 2 Makerbot Replicator 2's which are printing 24/7. Part of the funding we will purchase additional printers to grow the printing farm," he notes. Another portion of the funding will be used for purchasing the raw materials needed to fulfill the order requests.
XLR-ONES will be shipped as early as this May. Once funded, the company will then begin working "a feature packed software update which introduces motion sensing wristbands, virtual reality headsets, and Twitter integration etc".
"This started as a hobby and has turned into a startup," Ameralis says. He is currently working on a full size robot and building a robotics community in its hometown Miami.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- Teenager receives Star Wars inspired, 3D printed prosthetic hand
- Introducing world's first functional 3D printed dishwasher
- Make your own custom 3D printed wireless gamepad
- Canadian engineer 3D prints the OpenSwift: a very cool RC flying wing
- Create a 3D printed whiteboard clock that automatically writes the current time
- SpecialEffect uses 3D printing to help support gamers with physical disabilities
- 3D printed "Step off the Elephant" petition inspires short documentary
- 3D scanning and printing helps recreate Michelangelo sculptures from across the globe
XLROBOTS aka Antonios A Ameralis ( Anthony) just stole $500-$600 from over 100 people who prepaid for a 3D printed Johnny 5 robot and he closed all websites to be never be found. Beware of this individual. He moved from FL to NY supposedly.
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
