Bob Schneeveis brought his solar-powered walking chariot to the 2010 Bay Area Maker Faire. It was a repeat appearance for the chariot. Last year, the walking robot that pulls the chariot was dressed as Barack Obama. George Bush and Arnold Schwarzenegger have also pulled the load.
The solar-powered walking chariot is just one of many Schneeveis inventions seen at the 2010 Maker Faire. The inventor is also the subject of a 2008 documentary film, ‘Bob’s Knee,’ that explores his work to develop a mechanical knee, a quest that no doubt found its way to the walking chariot.
Roller-Skating Robots
Bob Schneeveis' Solar-Powered Walking Chariot at the 2010 Maker Faire
Trend Themes
1. Solar-powered Robots - The trend of developing robots powered by renewable energy sources such as solar energy is growing, which can revolutionize the use of robots in many industries by reducing their dependency on non-renewable energy sources.
2. Mechanical Joints and Limbs - The development of mechanical joints, limbs, and other body parts can bring us a step closer to creating a truly bionic human, leading to new applications in healthcare and other industries.
3. Walking Robots - The development of bipedal and quadrupedal robots that can walk instead of relying on wheels and tracks has the potential to improve their mobility and usefulness in various industries and applications.
Industry Implications
1. Manufacturing - The use of solar-powered robots can help manufacturers reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint while increasing their productivity and efficiency.
2. Healthcare - The advancements in developing mechanical joints and limbs can lead to new prosthetic technology and mobility aids for patients.
3. Agriculture - The use of walking robots in agriculture can help with tasks such as crop monitoring, planting, and harvesting, leading to better yields and reducing the need for manual labor.