Turn your home into a giant crane game with this open source robot

An innovative robot service, known as Stringman, is set to revolutionize our living spaces by allowing us to transform our homes into a giant crane game. Developed by Neufangled Robotics, Stringman is an AI-equipped claw suspended from the ceiling using four strings and is capable of moving around the room, from the ceiling to the floor. Its payload capacity ranges around 2 kg, allowing it to pick up items and perform tidying tasks, such as putting toys back in their designated spots.

Stringman can be controlled either manually or autonomously, making it an attractive option for those who enjoy the idea of a room-sized crane game. However, the device is currently a public prototype, which means it's not yet reliable enough to be considered a home appliance. Nevertheless, demonstration videos showcase its agility and capabilities, such as picking up laundry and dropping it in a basket or picking up toys scattered around the living room.

The company's mission is to create an organized and low-cost robot that can perform tasks that people dislike, like cleaning up after a messy toddler. Stringman is fully open-source, allowing enthusiasts to build their own version using a 3D printer, a supplier for manufacturing components, and a dedicated PC or Mac for motion-control software. The device requires a few printed markers for calibration, drop-off points using visual tags, and programming to perform specific tasks.

While Stringman may pose safety concerns if one accidentally gets tangled in the lines, its inventor, Nathaniel Nifong, assures that it is harmless, stating that the lines are light and give. The robot has a tension limit of 28 newtons, or around six and a quarter pounds of force, which, if reached, will cause all lines to relax and become loose.

Those interested in playing with a simulated version can do so on Stringman's web portal, which includes options for connecting to a personal machine over LAN, the cloud, or a simulated version.