One of the prototypes from the last round of NEDO (New Energy & Industrial Technology Development Organization) funding is Candy-05, who seems to like Golf a whole lot. Looks like he has no problem getting the ball in the hole.

Candy-05 is developed by Nirvana Technology (now the Hajime Research Institute) and stands about 120cm tall. He rolls around on wheels and has stereoscopic cameras which help it locate a golf ball, eye the hole, and putt. His goal in life is to be an entertainment robot for park areas, where golf is popular. Video after the break.
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Golf… Lots of plaid wearing old men talking business while hitting a ball from one place to another. Not exactly the hippest sport around, ya know? (Sorry golfers) But something cool just happened to golf that just made it a lot hipper.

Mizuno Golf has selected the Takara Tomy i-SOBOT robot as the spokesperson for their new Cyborg Head line of golf clubs. The Cyborg Head promotional campaign will last six months, and features special gifts, magazine promotions, and even a professional golf tournament sponsorship with the details to be announced soon.

[Robots-Dreams]

At last, a robot for the golf course. The RG3 (Robotic Greens Mower 3) weighs in at 650 pounds, goes 3.5 miles per hour, and was made for the golf industry. Three lead-acid batteries will give you 3 hours worth of mowing. Most lawn mowing bots will use a wire to mark the area, but the RG3 uses ultrasonic detectors, infrared sensors, and a beacon system to figure out its position.

The RG3 costs almost $30,000. Much like the best Golf clubs, only super rich dudes in fancy plaid pants can afford it.

[CNet]

They just keep rolling out new homebuilt bots. This one’s pretty cute. Thank God it’s not wearing plaid pants and a hat.