Photos: See how 'Tapster' robots imitate human touch on mobile devices

Innovation

Photos: See how ‘Tapster’ robots imitate human touch on mobile devices

By Hope Reese February 22, 2017, 5:28 AM PST

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Photos: See how ‘Tapster’ robots imitate human touch on mobile devices

Tapster 2

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster 2

A company called Tapster makes robots that can test out mobile phones before they go to production. Here’s the $750 Tapster robot, designed by Jason Huggins. It allows you to test out interactions on real mobile devices by simulating a human finger on a touchscreen.

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster 2

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster 2

Here’s how Tapster 2 links up to your computer.

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapsters playing the piano

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapsters playing the piano

Here are two Tapster robots playing “Heart and Soul” in GarageBand on an iPhone 6.

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Bitbeambot

Image: Jason Huggins

Bitbeambot

Here’s an earlier version of Tapster, called “Bitbeambot,” playing Angry Birds on an iPad. It’s made from an open source 3D-printable Lego-Technic compatible building toy called bitbeam, and was originally created to play Angry Birds.

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster 2

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster 2

Here’s Tapster 2, the newer model, playing Angry Birds at AppWorld.

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster Sidekick

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster Sidekick

The newest mobile device testing robot in the lineup is called “Tapster Sidekick.”

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster Sidekick

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster Sidekick

Here’s Tapster Sidekick in action, launching the Android bootloader on a Nexus 5X.

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster Sidekick

Image: Jason Huggins

Tapster Sidekick

Here are the inner workings of Tapster Sidekick.

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

Dancebot

Image: Jason Huggins

Dancebot

Here’s another robot project: Dancebot. Huggins is also working with Guinness World Records to try to break the record for “Most robots dancing simultaneously.”

Also see: How a ‘robot artist’ creates machines that can solve problems for businesses

Image: Jason Huggins

By Hope Reese

Hope Reese is a writer based in Louisville, Kentucky, currently living in Budapest. Her work has appeared in the Atlantic, the Boston Globe, Vox, Vice and other publications.

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