Robots mania

Each year robots are getting more sophisticated and entertaining than ever before. Check out these captivating robots that can do almost anything — from reciting Shakespeare to serving shaved ice cream with a smile.

5 Seconds

00:00

A man takes a ball from the hand of a pattern recognition and movement coordination multi-robot during FET 11, the European Future Technologies Conference and Exhibition in Budapest on May 4.

ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The robot Aila (Artificial Intelligence Lightweight Android) is pictured at the CeBIT IT fair on March 3 in Germany. Alia not only has the ability to recognize objects, but it can also lift them.

JOHANNES EISELE / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

The IT model robot is displayed at iRobot headquarters in Bedford, Mass., on June 6. The company makes the Roomba and Scooba floor-cleaning machines and the PackBot, a robot that can search caves and help with bomb-disposal missions.

Scott Eells / BLOOMBERG

Surgeon Alain Herard poses next to the Da Vinci surgical robot, created by U.S. company Intuitive Surgery, on March 25 in Reims, France. The robot, equipped with three arms, miniaturized wristed instruments and a 3D camera, can be used for minimally invasive remote surgery.

FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A dentist from the Showa University Dentistry School demonstrates a treament on a dental robot patient named Hanako Showa 2 at a dental clinic of the university in Tokyo on June 29. Japan's robot maker Tmsuk and the university unveiled the robot to be used by students training, which imitates human reactions such as coughing, tongue movement and pain reaction.

TORU YAMANAKA / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A robot called RoboThespian is displayed at the World IT Show 2011 in Seoul on May 11. The robotic actor can recite Shakespear, sing and dance.

SeongJoon Cho / BLOOMBERG

A salamander-like robot from the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne is displayed on April 7 during Bionic Robots Workshop.

DAMIEN MEYER / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A goalkeeper robot is photographed in action during a test before the RoboCup 2011 in Istanbul on July 7. RoboCup is the largest and most prestigious robotics event and a showcase for artificial intelligence and intelligent robotics research.

MUSTAFA OZER / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Visitors look at robots fighting at the Taipei International Robot Show in Taiwan on Aug. 31.

Chiang Ying-ying / AP

An assistant poses next to an industrial robot with a cat head called Mecha-Najavu, produced by Japan's Yaskawa Electric. The robot operates an ice shaving machine that makes a bowl of flavored shaved ice as an attraction at Namja Town theme park in Tokyo on Aug. 16. "Mecha" means mechanical and "Najavu" is a Japanese cat character, which is also the mascot for the theme park.

YOSHIKAZU TSUNO / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

A visitor takes a picture of a robot made from motorcycle parts during the Taiwan Motorcycle show at the World Trade Center in Taipei on April 14.

SAM YEH / AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Forget the bellhop — meet the luggage robot. It’s the first of several high-tech, sleek amenities guests encounter at the Yotel, a hotel that aims to provide a trendy stay at an affordable price. The robot is seen working away on June 16.

Frank Franklin II / AP

Expedition 26 commander, right, poses with Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station on March 15. NASA ground controllers on Aug. 22 turned on the robot for the first time since it was delivered to the International Space Station in February.

Anonymous / AP

Eden Sawczenko reacts to Kaspar, who is showing the "happy" stance of two open arms as she takes part in a research project in Hatfield, England, on Feb. 28. Eden attends a nursery for autistic children in Stevenage, north of London, where researchers bring in a human-looking, child-sized robot once a week for a supervised session. Children play with the robot for up to 10 minutes alongside a scientist who controls the robot with a remote control. Kaspar is programmed to do things like smile, frown, laugh, blink and wave his arms. He was built by scientists at the University of Hertfordshire at a cost of about $2,118.

Alastair Grant / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Robots race shortly after the start of the world's first full marathon for robots on Feb. 24. The event was organized by technology company Vstone Co. in Osaka, Japan. Participating five robots must complete 422 laps around a 110-yard indoor racetrack to cover 26 miles.

Shizuo Kambayashi / AP

President Obama, with students Meghan Clark and Nathan Hughes, watches as they demonstrate their FIRST Robot, during a visit to a classroom at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va., on Sept. 16. The robot was created in the school’s prototyping and robotics senior research labs for last year’s FIRST Robotics Competition.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

A MahaDeviBot, a robot orchestra instrument, is seen ready for an upcoming KarmetiK Machine Orchestra concert at the California Institute for the Arts campus May 11 in Valencia, Calif. The MahaDeviBot, a solenoid-based robot, is capable of drumming or striking 12 percussion instruments gathered from around India, including frame drums, bells, finger cymbals, wood blocks and gongs.

Damian Dovarganes / AP

A police multi-task mobile robot that can be used to defuse bombs is presented in Warsaw on Sept. 20. Robots like this might be used to help bring order in crisis situations such as rowdy football crowds during next year's European Championship. Poland will co-host the football tournament with Ukraine in June.

Czarek Sokolowski / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Featured Photo Galleries

Homeowner David Firth tries to beat back a brush fire heading towards his home at Bettas Road and Low Drive as wildfire burns Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012 in Cle Elum, Wash. The fire jumped the line they were trying to make but still stands after being sprayed with water trucks and further efforts to beat it back with the help of several neighbors volunteering. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Bettina Hansen) SEATTLE OUT, USA TODAY OUT, MAGAZINES OUT, TELEVISION OUT, NO SALES . MANDATORY CREDIT TO: BETTINA HANSEN/THE SEATTLE TIMES.

Residents evacuate as wildfires rage through the West

This year’s wildfires are more numerous and have gotten bigger than last year’s, an official says.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Protesters gather outside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is staying on August 16, 2012 in London, England. Mr Assange has been living inside Ecuador's London embassy since June 19, 2012 after requesting political asylum whilst facing extradition to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Julian Assange granted political asylum by Ecuador

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was granted asylum on Thursday by Ecuador, raising the possibility of a diplomatic showdown between British...

Chase Culp of Houston checks his clown makeup before the performance of Circus Smirkus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012 in Montpelier, Vt. Circus Smirkus, based in Greensboro, Vt., is an award-winning international youth circus founded to promote the skills, culture and traditions of the traveling circus.(AP Photo/Toby Talbot)

India Independence Day, Syrian air strikes, Western wildfires, plastination and more in the day in photos

News and feature images from around the world.

Cast member Charisma Carpenter poses at the premiere of 'The Expendables 2' at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California August 15, 2012. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 17. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT)

Eye on entertainment

Charisma Carpenter, Chuck Norris, Lionel Richie, Joe Jonas, Nelly, Alice Cooper and other celebrities.

US President Barack Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Hoppy days are here again

President Obama is making clear his love for beer on the campaign trail as he attempts to ferment a coalition of the swilling.

Scanned from Post archive. Washington Senators baseball players Goose Goslin, Manush, Kukel. 9/21/1933. No other info. TWP Photo.

The last time Washington was this good . . .

The Nationals have had the best record in baseball in August, starting to erase memories hardened by decades of mediocrity. Here are clues to...

Montreal Washington, of Kansas City, pets the dog she adopted, Friday, Aug. 10, during 'Tackle Pet Homelessness' at the Kansas City animal shelter in Kansas City, Mo.. Washington plans on naming the pit bull, Alexandra. The shelter is at capacity and is offering a $25 adoption special for all dogs 25 pounds or more. For the month of August, all cats are 'name your own price' and kitten adoptions are $50. (AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, Allison Long)

Homeless and adopted dogs, sand kittens, snow leopards and more in animal views.

Amazing creatures from around the world.

LEWISBURG, WV - AUGUST 11: ( EDITORS NOTE: Image was created using the iPhone 4s with Snapseed's vintage filter) Two young boys sip a drink at the West Virginia State fair on August 11, 2012 in Lewisburg, West Virginia. People from across the region travel to the fair, which is celebrating its 88th year, and hosts various events including equestrian and livestock demonstrations along with a full compliment of carnival rides. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

iPhone snapshots at the West Virginia State Fair

An iPhone captures the fun at the West Virginia State Fair, in its 88th year. All images were created using the Snapseed photo-editing app&rsquo...

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.