the american beverage association ( aba ) is a trade organization that represents the beverage industry in the united states .

its members include producers and bottlers of soft drinks , bottled water , and other non-alcoholic beverages .

the organization was founded in 1919 , and originally named the american bottlers of carbonated beverages .

in 1966 , it renamed itself the national soft drink association .

then in november 2004 , it changed to its current name , " to better reflect the expanded range of nonalcoholic beverages the industry produces . "

american beverage association

click on a logo to learn more about the members of the american beverage association .
coke referred questions about the study to their trade group , the american beverage association .
the american beverage association will win the spending war in philadelphia . it always does .
american beverage association , 2015 irs form 990 , internal revenue service , november 15 , 2016 .
american beverage association , 2014 irs form 990 , internal revenue service , november 16 , 2015 .
american beverage association , 2013 irs form 990 , internal revenue service , november 17 , 2014 .
fifteen national organizations including the american heart association and the american medical association filed a friend - of - the court brief with the commonwealth court of pennsylvania .
we make american products , with american workers , in america ' s hometowns .
access to the report is available on the american beverage association website at urltoken and the alliance website at urltoken .
the beverage association ads cite an increase in property tax collections as evidence the beverage tax is unnecessary .
correction : this story was modified to clarify the american beverage association’s position on the outcome of the 2015 us dietary guidelines .
the american beverage association ( aba ) is the trade association that represents america ' s non - alcoholic beverage industry . aba was founded in 1919 as the american bottlers of carbonated beverages , and renamed the national soft drink association in 1966 . today the aba represents hundreds of beverage producers , distributors , franchise companies and support industries .
the american beverage association once spent $ 11 million in a six - month period to defeat a new york soda tax proposal .
the plaintiffs — including the american beverage association and the pennsylvania food merchants association — are seeking to invalidate the tax . one of their legal arguments is that the beverage tax conflicts with the pennsylvania sales tax .
san francisco ' s new legislation requiring soda ads to carry health warning labels is being challenged in court by the american beverage association .
companies that belong to the american beverage association make and sell some of the world ' s most popular and innovative non - alcoholic beverages .
american beverage association , [ paper copy on file at cmd 2016 irs form 990 ] , internal revenue service , november 15 , 2017 .
* all health / medical information on this website has been reviewed and approved by the american heart association , based on scientific research and american heart association guidelines . use this link for more information on our content editorial process .
the american beverage association strives to unify america ' s non - alcoholic beverage industry . through member support , aba strengthens the producers , franchise companies and suppliers it represents , serving as a unified voice for the refreshment beverage industry .
philadelphia ( cbs ) — the american beverage association reported spending about $ 1 . 7 million in the first quarter of this year to oppose philadelphia’s beverage tax , including ads on tv and radio .
companies that belong to the american beverage association make and sell some of the world’s most popular and innovative non - alcoholic beverages . you might say that our members quench america’s thirst .
the beverage association said it disagreed with public health advocates “on discriminatory and regressive taxes and policies on our products . ”
the american diabetes association accepted $ 140 , 000 from the company between 2012 and 2014 . the american heart association received more than $ 400 , 000 from coke between 2010 and 2015 . and the national institutes of health received nearly $ 2 million from coke between 2010 and 2014 .
american beverage association 1275 pennsylvania ave . nw , suite 1100 washington , dc 20004 phone : ( 202 ) 463 - 6732 website : urltoken email : info @ urltoken twitter : urltoken facebook : urltoken
the beverage industry’s balance calories initiative works to reduce beverage calories an additional 20 % per person by 2025 .
the american heart association’s healthy workplace food and beverage toolkit was created to help organizations improve their food environment and promote a culture of health . it provides practical action steps and suggestions that are easy to understand and apply .
according to its lobbying report , the american heart association spent about $ 330 , 000 on an email campaign , telephone bank , and advertising in support of the tax .
the beverage industry highlights the safety of artificial sweeteners . “low - calorie sweeteners have been proven safe by worldwide government safety authorities as well as hundreds of scientific studies , ” lauren kane , a spokeswoman for the american beverage association , told marketwatch , on behalf of industry , including coca - cola
aba provides a neutral forum in which member convene to discuss common issues while maintaining their tradition of spirited competition in the american marketplace . the association also serves as liaison between the industry , government and the public , and provides a unified voice in legislative and regulatory matters . as the national voice for the non - alcoholic refreshment beverage industry , the american beverage association staff of legislative , scientific , technical , regulatory , legal and communications experts effectively represent members ' interests .
aba provides a neutral forum in which members convene to discuss common issues while maintaining their tradition of spirited competition in the american marketplace . the association also serves as liaison between the industry , government and the public , and provides a unified voice in legislative and regulatory matters . as the national voice for the non - alcoholic refreshment beverage industry , the american beverage association staff of legislative , scientific , technical , regulatory , legal and communications experts effectively represent members ' interests .
tracked down lobbying expenditures for seven states and five cities for which lobbying data was readily available and found the amount spent on lobbying by the american beverage association in years when soda taxes were considered to be $ 45 . 6 million . these numbers don’t include pepsi , coke or local branches of the american beverage association ( aba ) , which often spend thousands of dollars on local lobbying , or the $ 33 million it spent on federal lobbying from 2009 to 2014 .
the american beverage association spent more than $ 10 . 6 million trying to fight off mayor kenney ' s tax on sweetened drinks , more than four times the amount spent by those supporting the tax , newly released lobbying reports show .
american beverage association members manufacture and distribute non - alcoholic beverage products in the u . s . our industry is a vital part of our nation ' s economy . with a direct economic impact of $ 182 . 6 billion , we provide nearly 253 , 000 jobs and support hundreds of thousands more that depend , in part , on beverage sales for their livelihood .
in 2009 alone , when the government proposed a federal soda tax to curb obesity that would help finance health care reform , coke , pepsi and the american beverage association spent a combined $ 38 million lobbying against the measure , which ultimately failed .
about american beverage association the american beverage association is the national trade organization representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non - alcoholic beverages in the united states , including regular and diet soft drinks , bottled waters and water beverages , ready - to - drink teas , sports drinks , energy drinks , 100 percent juices and juice drinks . aba and its member companies have a longstanding commitment to being part of the solution to obesity . for more information , please visit urltoken and urltoken .
soda taxes proposals have sprung up across the united states more than 30 times in the last 10 years , and the common thread among almost all of them — other than they usually fail — is heavy spending by the american beverage association on lobbying .
2018 arizona hb 2484 , authored by rep . t . j . shope . this bill [ 5 ] broadly discusses food taxation not just a beverage tax or a soda tax . the groups registered against the bill include : arizona retailers association , arizona restaurant association , arizona beverage association , arizona food marketing alliance , arizona free enterprise club , arizona tax research association , arizona chamber of commerce and industry , united dairymen of arizona . cmd has submitted an open records request to the bill authors for more information .
“america’s beverage companies are committed to cracking the code on how each company can heighten consumer interest in lower calories , small portion sizes and less sugar , ” said susan neely , president and ceo of the american beverage association . “the innovative strategies we are ramping up in the marketplace will be what gets us to our goal . ”
the coca - cola company , with the help of the american beverage association , is deceiving consumers about the harms of consuming coke and other sugar - sweetened beverages , according to a complaint filed in federal court in california . the suit contends that the beverage giant and its trade association are engaged in an unlawful campaign of deception to mislead and confuse the public about the science linking consumption of sugar - sweetened drinks to obesity , type 2 diabetes , and cardiovascular disease .
the american beverage association ( aba ) is a 501 ( c ) ( 6 ) trade association and a lobbying powerhouse bankrolled by the largest players in the soft drink industry including coca - cola and pepsi - cola . ( aba’s full membership directory can be viewed here . ) the d . c . - based aba is currently led by susan k . neely , president and chief executive officer .
when the mayor of philadelphia proposed a soda tax in 2010 , the beverage industry offered $ 10 million to the children’s hospital of philadelphia if the tax proposal was dropped . the city council voted down the measure , and the beverage association later made the donation .
big soda’s big three members—the american beverage association , coca - cola and pepsico—have spent a minimum of $ 67 million since 2009 to defeat soda taxes and warning labels in 19 cities and states , according to an analysis of lobbying and ballot initiative disclosure reports by the center for the science in the public interest .
the academy said it no longer has a sponsorship relationship with the beverage firms .
in numerous localities , the aba partners with u . s . chamber of commerce affiliates like the seattle metropolitan chamber of commerce or the chicagoland chamber of commerce . statewide retail and grocery groups like illinois retail merchants association and pa food merchants association have also been active . in michigan in 2017 , farm groups and the national federation of independent business took a leading role on a state level bill to prevent soda tax initiatives . in arizona in 2018 , a host of business groups including arizona beverage association , arizona retailers association , arizona restaurant association , arizona food marketing alliance and more , worked to pass another state level bill to prevent local soda tax campaigns . more below .
the $ 10 . 6 million spent by the beverage association , according to its financial report , came primarily from three backers : dr pepper snapple group , pepsico , and the coca - cola co .
a key difference this year is significant , if not comparable , financial support for the public health initiatives from philanthropists michael bloomberg and john and laura arnold , as well as the american heart association . in philadelphia , bloomberg , the arnolds , and local supporters provided philadelphians for a fair future with about a $ 2 . 2 million war chest , while the american heart association contributed about $ 334 , 000—meaning that big soda outspent public health advocates by only a 4 to 1 ratio .
it’s been kansans against food and beverage taxes and new yorkers against unfair taxes ) .
there has also been a backlash against sugary drinks . soda and sugary drinks may lead to an estimated 184 , 000 deaths among adults every year , a 2015 study by researchers at tufts university published in the american heart association’s peer - reviewed journal circulation . the study analyzed consumption patterns from 611 , 971 individuals between 1980 and 2010 across 51 countries . sugar - sweetened beverages consumption may have been responsible for approximately 133 , 000 deaths from diabetes 45 , 000 deaths from cardiovascular disease 6 , 450 deaths from cancer , it concluded . ( the american beverage association published a lengthy rebuttal . )
three cities followed suit with similar measures . but the beverage industry has been fighting back .
from 2011 to 2015 , coke spent on average more than $ 6 million per year lobbying against public health measures aimed at curbing soda consumption , according to data from the nonpartisan center for responsive politics . pepsi spent about $ 3 million per year during that period , and the american beverage association spent more than $ 1 million each year , the study found .
michael k . torrey is going to be a leading voice in deciding how the hand - off of power—including farm , health , and school meals policy—will look as the obama administration sunsets to an ascendant republican successor . in the last four years , his eponymous lobbying firm has collected more than $ 800 , 000 from the american beverage association , according to financial disclosures .
with our balance calories initiative , america ' s beverage companies are committed to reducing calories and sugar consumed from beverages in the american diet . read more about it and learn how else we are helping protect consumer choice on our blog .
the aba , joined by the california state outdoor advertising association and california retailers association , filed a lawsuit against the city on friday , arguing that the legislation , which also would ban sugary - drink ads on city property , is a first amendment violation , reported sfgate .
the american beverage industry is an important part of the nation’s economy . our industry supports its local communities through jobs , tax revenue and charitable contributions . according to john dunham & associates , the beverage industry directly employs nearly 253 , 000 people and has a direct economic impact of $ 182 . 6 billion , with direct compensation to beverage industry workers at nearly $ 20 billion . the beverage industry also contributes more than $ 19 billion in state taxes and $ 30 billion in federal taxes . additionally , u . s . beverage companies and their employees generously contribute $ 1 . 5 billion to charitable causes across the nation .
in providing nearly 253 , 000 jobs and creating $ 182 . 6 billion in annual revenue , the american beverage industry is a vital party of the economy . we proudly support local communities through education , jobs , tax revenue and charitable contributions .
“we believe our actions in communities and the marketplace are contributing to addressing the complex challenge of obesity , ” the beverage association said . “we stand strongly for our need , and right , to partner with organizations that strengthen our communities . ”
about the alliance for a healthier generation the alliance for a healthier generation , founded by the american heart association and the clinton foundation , empowers kids to develop lifelong , healthy habits , by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health . get involved at healthiergeneration . org .
( washington , d . c . ) nov . 22 , 2016 — the alliance for a healthier generation and america’s beverage companies today issued the first annual independent evaluation of the balance calories initiative , a landmark effort to decrease beverage calories in the american diet . the balance calories report on 2015 progress lays out the ambitious work that beverage companies have undertaken to build a foundation of strategies in the marketplace that drive changes in consumer purchases and consumption . .
most recently , the soda industry lobbied to shape 2015 us dietary guidelines under the obama administration . the american beverage association was pleased with the final outcome , even as it suggested a limit on how much added sugar people should consume for the first time . that was followed up with a new labeling rule that would force food companies to list on food packaging how much added sugar is in products .
the findings , published on monday in the american journal of preventive medicine , document the beverage industry’s deep financial ties to the health community over the past five years , as part of a strategy to silence health critics and gain unlikely allies against soda regulations .
anthony campisi , a spokesman for the no philly grocery tax coalition , which was funded by the beverage association , said in a statement that the group ' s efforts ensured the public
learned the truth about the regressive and discriminatory tax proposal .
cities and counties have long played a valuable role as laboratories of democracy for important public policy innovations , including public health policies . as cities and counties across the county introduce taxes on sodas and sweetened beverages to counter the rise in obesity , diabetes , heart disease and other serious public health challenges , they are facing sophisticated opposition campaigns spearheaded by the deep - pocketed american beverage association ( aba ) and allied groups .
and many other public health advocates support the city in its legal battle to keep the beverage tax in place .
in a statement , the heart association said the group is “leading efforts to reduce consumption of sugary drinks , ” and the group has advocated for increased taxes on sugary drinks .
the dietary guidelines for americans 2015 - 2020 recommends only 12 teaspoons of added sugar a day . the american heart association recommends even less : that men limit themselves to nine teaspoons of added sugars per day , and that women limit themselves to six teaspoons per day . in either case , one sugary drink a day puts you at or over the recommended level .
some believe that food and beverage taxes will make us thinner , fitter and healthier - but there is another side to this story .
america’s beverage companies are doing their part when it comes to tackling some of the biggest challenges that affect people across the globe . from…
the beverage industry has taken and continues to take bold action to help address the complex public health issue of obesity . our member companies have…
“driving change of this magnitude takes time , ” said dr . howell wechsler , ceo of the alliance . “we are pleased to see that the beverage industry has begun to implement and learn from strategies that can reach the goal of a 20 percent reduction in americans’ beverage calories . ”
introductions of no - , low - and mid - calorie beverage innovations outpaced introductions of full - calorie beverages . beverage companies introduced 26 low - and no - calorie beverages and 17 mid - calorie beverages – which represent more than 60 percent of all new brands and flavors introduced ;
the non - alcoholic beverage industry plays an important role in the u . s . economy , and we are proud to contribute to that impact .
the beverage industry has taken and continues to take bold action to help address the complex public health issue of obesity . our member companies have changed the beverage landscape for children and adolescents . our member companies have removed full - calorie soft drinks from schools across the country and replaced them with lower - calorie , smaller - portion beverage choices . as a result of this initiative , calories available from beverages in schools have been cut by 88 percent .
communities of color . african - american children and teens saw more than twice as many television ads for sugar drinks than their white peers in 2013 . hispanic americans are 20 percent more likely to be obese than white americans and 50 percent more likely to die from diabetes . ironically , the beverage industry disproportionately targets its marketing at low - income people and people of color .
we unite america ' s non - alcoholic beverage companies to achieve responsible public policy and promote our industry ' s commitment to customers , consumers and communities .
through member support , aba serves as an effective organization of producers , franchise companies and suppliers , and acts as strong national voice for the refreshment beverage industry .
on wednesday , a panel of judges in a pennsylvania appeals court is expected to hear oral arguments in a lawsuit brought by the beverage industry against the city .
we promised america ' s parents that we would change the beverage mix in schools , and our companies - along with their school partners delivered dramatic and significant results .
through member support , aba serves as an effective organization of producers , franchise companies and suppliers , and acts as a strong national voice for the refreshment beverage industry .
if you’ve been an avid reader of sip & savor for some time – we’ve got good news for you . you can get more updates from the beverage industry by…
2017 michigan house bill 4999 [ 4 ] sponsored by rep . rob verheulen in the house and r - walker , sen . peter macgregor , r - rockford , was introduced sept . 20 and signed into law on oct . 31 . the bill bans an excise tax “on the manufacture , distribution , wholesale sale , or retail sale of food for immediate consumption or nonimmediate consumption . ” a host of agricultural interests registered in favor of the bill including the michigan farm bureau , michigan sugar company , michigan sheep producers , michigan soybean association , michigan cattlemen’s association , michigan potato growers and more making it a “farm interests” bill . in addition , the michigan manufacturers association was involved as was the national federation of independent businesses . nfib testified in favor of the bill and was credited by the media as being a major play . nfib is a large trade association that has worked to preempt paid sick days and city - based minimum wage hikes .
america’s beverage companies—coca - cola , dr pepper and pepsi—are spearheading multiple initiatives that help reduce beverage calories from sugar in your family’s diet . whether it’s providing more choices with less sugar in stores or removing full - calorie soft drinks from schools , we’re always looking for different ways to support your efforts to make every day a balanced one .
the report found a number of instances in which influential health groups accepted beverage industry donations and then backed away from supporting soda taxes or remained noticeably silent about the initiatives .
the non - alcoholic beverage industry plays an important role in the u . s . economy . our industry has a direct economic impact of more than $ 182 billion , provides nearly 253 , 000 jobs and helps to support hundreds of thousands more that depend , in part , on beverage sales for their livelihoods . beverage companies and their employees , and the firms and employees indirectly employed by the industry , provide significant tax revenues - $ 19 . 1 billion at the state level and $ 30 billion at the federal level . in addition , the beverage companies that produce and distribute non - alcoholic beverages in the u . s . and their employees contribute $ 1 . 5 billion to charitable causes in communities across the nation .
december 5 , 2017 marks 84 years since the united states ratified the 21st amendment to the u . s . constitution and paved the way for the modern three - tier beverage alcohol system .
new in - store marketing techniques are being implemented in beverage aisles . companies are working with retailers to change shelf layouts to attract consumer attention toward reduced - calorie options and smaller package sizes .
keybridge estimates that beverage calories per person decreased by 0 . 2 percent from 2014 to 2015 . two trends combined to bring about this result . there was a 2 . 3 percent decrease in calories per 8 - ounce serving , but that decrease was mostly offset by a 2 . 2 percent increase in total beverage consumption . declines in the consumption of low - and no - calorie soft drinks also had an impact .
“the beverage industry is using corporate philanthropy to undermine public health measures , ” said kelly d . brownell , dean of the sanford school of public policy at duke , who was not involved in the new research .
“you have a very deep - pocketed influential association coming in and drowning out regular people because they have the resources to do so , ” said denise roth barber , managing director of national institute on money in state politics . “they can easily convince the deciders , whether it’s the citizens or lawmakers . ”
also , our member companies have committed to clearly display the calories in all beverages on the front of the can or bottle as well as on company controlled vending and fountain machines . and , importantly , our member companies are producing fewer total beverage calories for the marketplace through the innovation of more no - and low - calorie beverages . from 1998 - 2008 , industry cut the total beverage calories it brought to market by 21 percent .
prepared by keybridge llc , this report describes the product innovations , marketing initiatives and distribution strategies being implemented nationally by the coca - cola company , dr pepper snapple group and pepsico to reach the goal of reducing beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 20 percent by 2025 . the report estimates changes in national beverage consumption from 2014 to 2015 , and examines the challenges facing the industry as it seeks to have consumers reduce their calories from beverages .
america’s beverage companies—coca - cola , dr pepper and pepsi—have come together to support your family’s efforts to balance what you eat , drink and do . we know an important part of finding that balance is reducing the sugar from beverages in your family’s diet . so we’re backing you up with ways to make it easier . learn more about what we’re doing through our industry efforts , beverage choices and community support or watch our video stories to see how we’re doing it .
please register to receive instant access to the food and beverage toolkit and downloadable resources ( with materials in english and spanish ) . registration is required so that we may notify you when the toolkit is updated and new resources are added .
the beverage giants coca - cola and pepsico have given millions of dollars to nearly 100 prominent health groups in recent years , while simultaneously spending millions to defeat public health legislation that would reduce americans’ soda intake , according to public health researchers .
artificially sweetened beverages may be linked to an increased risk of stroke and dementia , according to a recent study by the american heart association’s peer - reviewed journal stroke . the researchers looked at 2 , 888 people over the age of 45 ( with a median age of 62 ) for stroke risks and 1 , 484 people over the age of 60 ( with a median age of 69 ) for risk of dementia . after adjustments were made for age , sex , education , caloric intake , diet , exercise , and smoking , they found that diet soda drinks “were associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke , all - cause dementia , and alzheimer’s disease dementia . ” ( the study cites correlation rather than causation . )
associate membership - - available to any person or firm that manufactures or sells any product to , or performs any service for , any person or firm that meets the definition of an active member . annual dues are based on sales to the beverage industry .
“to achieve our goals , we must engage a wide variety of food and beverage companies to be part of the solution , ” the statement said . the soda sponsorship does not have “ any influence on our science and the public policy positions we advocate for . ”
on top of that , the industry trade association and two companies are spending upwards of $ 14 million a year at the federal level , where their public health objectives include opposition to a federal soda excise tax , the newly released and updated nutrition facts label with a line for added sugars , and the dietary guidelines for americans , which proposed a quantitative limit—12 teaspoons a day—for added sugars .
consumption of soda and other sugar - sweetened beverages – fruit drinks , sports drinks , sweetened teas , and energy drinks – may be on the decline , but sugary drinks are still the number one source of calories and added sugars in the american diet . a typical 12 - ounce can of regular cola contains 9 ½ teaspoons of added sugars ; a 20 - ounce bottle contains 16 teaspoons of sugar .
aba member companies represent the non - alcoholic beverage industry and the range of products they provide . with everything from regular and diet soft drinks , bottled water and water beverages , 100 percent juice and juice drinks , sports drinks , energy drinks and ready - to - drink teas .
according to convenience store and fuel news , the lawsuit in part alleges that the ban ,
discriminates against speech based on the identity of the speaker , in violation of the first amendment , by expressly prohibiting speech that includes the name of any sugar - sweetened beverage producer .
his firm has also represented dean foods company , whitewave foods , little caesars , the snack food association , and soybean interests . the soda industry has used torrey—who is highly respected in many dc food and agriculture circles—to try and influence government officials and lawmakers on a range of issues in the past , including food stamps policy , the government’s dietary guidelines , and food package labeling issues , disclosures show .
in richmond in 2012 for instance , the aba front group fighting a soda tax referendum on the ballot was called “community coalition against beverage taxes . ” in el monte in 2012 the aba front group was called “el monte citizens against beverage taxes . ” the overall pr campaign is also given a name , and tv ads , campaign websites , and social media accounts are created and commonly themed . because residents only see the front group name or campaign name such as “can the tax coalition , ” the public is not generally aware of that it is industry behind the ads .
local beverage distributors say their sales are down significantly . canada dry of delaware valley , which distributes a range of carbonated drinks , teas and bottled waters in philadelphia says sales are down by about 45 percent . the company has laid off about 30 employees , including drivers and workers who stock the shelves .
for us here at sip & savor , it’s important that we share with our readers important information about what our member companies’ are doing proactively . with these voluntary commitments , the beverage industry is leading the way on issues like public health and marketing to children . and , these voluntary actions will achieve meaningful results .
obesity . caloric beverages contribute to weight gain more than solid foods because the body doesn’t compensate fully for beverage calories by reducing calorie intake from other foods . adults who drink one sugary drink or more per day are 27 percent more likely to be overweight or obese than non - drinkers , regardless of income or ethnicity .
last year , our industry announced its clear on calories labeling initiative in support of the first lady’s announcement of her anti - obesity campaign . like our school beverage guidelines , this initiative is yet another way in which our industry is stepping up to do its part on challenging and complex societal issues , such as childhood obesity .
the new york times last year reported that coke had paid for scientific research that downplayed the link between sugary drinks and obesity . after that article was published , the beverage giant released a database showing that since 2010 it had spent more than $ 120 million on academic research and partnerships with health organizations involved in curbing obesity .
philadelphia did ultimately impose a soda tax this year . the beverage industry filed a lawsuit in september , calling the tax illegal . the industry also is spending millions on advertising campaigns against soda taxes that are on the ballot in at least four cities this november – three in northern california , and one in boulder , colo .
the other contributions , disclosed in the new reports , include $ 50 , 000 from the american federation of teachers ; $ 50 , 000 from kenney ' s political committee ; $ 5 , 000 from law firm dilworth paxson l . l . p . ; $ 5 , 000 from gay - rights activist mel heifetz ; and $ 250 from allison fumo bassman , daughter of vincent j . fumo , the once - powerful state senator who served time in federal prison on corruption charges .
additionally , america ' s leading beverage companies follow responsible practices regarding marketing to children that recognize the central role that parents and other caregivers should play in making choices for their children . under guidelines applied globally , companies do not advertise any beverages other than juice , water or dairy - based drinks on programming predominantly aimed at children under 12 .
the balance calories initiative national report on 2015 progress will be complemented in the coming months with a report on the balance calories communities initiative , which aims to achieve a 20 percent per person reduction in beverage calories in eight to 10 select communities where the challenge to meet the goal is believed to be greatest . what is learned in these communities will guide calorie reduction efforts nationwide .
despite the funding of popular programs , the tax is controversial in the city . last fall , a poll from the pew charitable trusts , found 54 percent of residents endorsed the city council ' s decision to impose a beverage tax . forty - two percent did not endorse it . a more recent survey commissioned by the industry - funded ax the bev tax coalition found a majority of residents ( 58 percent ) oppose the tax .
the mayor ' s office says the city has brought in about $ 12 . 3 million in revenues from the first two months of tax collections . the tax is projected to bring in about $ 91 million over 12 months . the mayor ' s office says the philly beverage tax will be used to
make much needed investments in pre - k and community schools , as well as in philadelphia parks , rec centers and libraries .
2016 kansas bill hb 2595 / sb 366 preempted local regulation of “food nutrition information , consumer incentive items , food - based health disparities , the growing and raising of livestock or crops , and the sale of foods or beverages , ” according to grassroots change . the author [ 3 ] of the bill was rep . gene suellentrop ( r - 27 ) , a member of the american legislative exchange council ( alec ) . campaigners report that some of the language and concepts in this large bill appear to be borrowed from a 2012 alec “model bill” called “ the food and nutrition act , ” which was a response to the mayor bloomberg’s effort to get calorie count labelling in the city of new york . learn more about this bill here .
diet soda sales have tumbled as consumers , turned off by studies on artificial sweeteners , have switched to bottled water , teas and energy drinks , instead . and this not the first study that has made a connection between diet soda to other serious medical issues . several recent studies have linked diet soda and cardiovascular disease and showed a correlation ( if not a causation ) between cancer and aspartame . the beverage industry says people who are overweight and already at risk for heart disease may consume more diet drinks in an attempt to control their weight and the food and drug administration has ruled that artificial sweeteners are safe .
americans now drink more bottled water than diet soda or traditional soda . bottled - water consumption in the u . s . hit 39 . 3 gallons per capita last year , while carbonated soft drinks fell to 38 . 5 gallons , marking the first time that soda was knocked off the top spot , according to data from industry tracker beverage marketing corp . but soda is still more expensive , racking up $ 39 . 5 billion in retail sales versus $ 21 . 3 billion for water , industry research group euromonitor found . “in 2016 , bottled water overtook carbonates to become the leading soft drinks category in off - trade volume terms , an astonishing milestone a decade in the making , ” euromonitor concluded .
the study’s authors , michael siegel , a professor at the boston university school of public health , and daniel aaron , a student at boston university’s medical school , scoured public records including news releases , newspaper databases , lobbying reports , the medical literature and information released by the beverage giants themselves . while some of the incidents cited in the study already have been reported by news organizations , the medical journal report is the first to take a comprehensive look at the industry’s strategy of donating to health organizations while at the same time lobbying against public health measures . the study tracked industry donations and lobbying spending from 2011 through 2015 , at a time when many cities were mulling soda taxes or other regulations to combat obesity .
total number of lobbyists : 27 total number of revolvers : 18 ( 66 . 7 % )
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sugar sweetened beverages don ' t seem so sweet when you consider their harmful effects on health .
cspi teamed up with legendary ad man alex bogusky , singer jason mraz , and the butler bros . this short film featuring an animated family of polar bears . usa today said “this is the video coca - cola doesn’t want you to see” .
diabetes . persons consuming sugary drinks regularly—one to two cans a day or more—have a 26 percent greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than people who rarely consume such drinks . the risks are even greater for young adults .
tooth decay . soda consumption is associated with nearly twice the risk of cavities in children and increases their likelihood in adults . untreated cavities can lead to pain , infection , and tooth loss .
heart disease . men who drink one can of a sugary drink per day have a 20 percent higher risk of having a heart attack or dying from a heart attack than men who rarely consume sugary drinks . a related study in women found a similar sugary drink–heart disease link .
a collaboration with alex bogusky , lumenati , and daughters & howard , this video appropriates coca - cola’s legendary “hilltop” ad and features real people suffering from real soda - related diseases .
children and adolescents . youth consumption of carbonated beverages increases by almost 10 percent with every 100 additional television ads viewed .
low - and middle - income countries . while soft - drink sales have decreased in wealthier nations , coca - cola and pepsico have been making up for declining profits by investing heavily in low - and middle - income countries . and the expansion is coming at the expense of people’s lives , from central america to south america , southeast asia to south africa .
does soda = happiness ? we built an actual happiness stand in downtown denver and filmed the stunned reactions of passersby who learned the truth about what’s in their soda .
if you drink soda , cut back or stop . diet soda is not without its risks , but does not promote diabetes , weight gain , or heart disease in the way that full - calorie sodas do .
act now to ask restaurants to take soda off kids’ menus , support sugary drink warning labels , or urge cities , states and congress to levy excise taxes on sugar sweetened beverages and invest the revenues in programs to promote the health of their communities and the nation .
customizing labels is fun… but coke shouldn’t customize the truth about their products . # sharehonesty
coming together : translated . coke claimed it was “part of the solution” in an ill - conceived ad campaign called “coming together . ” cspi decided to translate cokespeak into english .
make your voice heard in the halls of congress , in city halls , and in corporate boardrooms .
request permission to reuse content the use of information from this site for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without written permission from cspi .
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a balanced lifestyle is about the choices people make every day regarding what they eat , drink and do . we want people to make informed decisions about the beverages they consume .
changing how business is done , in ways that sustain our planet isn ' t just something we say , it ' s what we do . we take environmental stewardship seriously .
together , they bring to market hundreds of brands , flavors and packages , including regular and diet soft drinks , bottles water and water beverages , 100 percent juice and juice drinks , sports drinks , energy drinks and ready - to - drink teas .
aba’s scientific research mission is to inform and clarify discussion through scientific inquiry held to the highest standards of integrity . our member companies adhere to voluntary guidelines when it comes to disclosing information about their products and the ingredients they contain .
aba membership consists of franchise companies , production plants , canning facilities , distribution / sales centers and companies that manufacture and sell a full range of products , including packaging , machinery , equipment , ingredients and other services to the industry .
active membership - - available to any person or firm in the united states or its possessions engaged in the manufacture and marketing of non - alcoholic refreshment beverages . it may include all production , distribution or other facilities related to manufacturing and marketing of beverages that are controlled by that person or firm . annual dues are based on sales .
international affiliate membership - - available to any person or firm engaged in the manufacture and sale of refreshment beverages that is not located in the united states or its possessions . annual dues : $ 300 ( u . s . dollars )
for further information , please contact aba ' s membership team at ( 202 ) 463 - 6764 .
“these ferocious competitors , coke , dr pepper and pepsi , have come together in an unprecedented commitment to help us reduce the calories and sugar that we’re consuming from their beverages , and it’s a really big deal . ”
coca - cola , dr pepper , and pepsi have introduced more products with less sugar or no sugar at all .
we’re bringing more choices and less sugar to neighborhoods where obesity is a tough , community - wide challenge .
we’ve recently seen multiple inaccurate stories about the risk of children consuming energy drinks . urltoken ( wash . ) , urltoken ( ill . ) and wmfd…
last week , three u . s . senators released a report on energy drink consumption which ignored crucial data about energy drinks and caffeine consumption in…
by engaging in communities nationwide , our member companies are offering real solutions to challenging issues . whether it is leveraging our collective marketing and innovation strengths to help consumers reduce their calories by offering more no - and lower - calorie choices or working to further minimize our environmental footprint , we are committed to making a difference . follow us here at sip & savor this week as we will feature some of our leadership initiatives and highlight the various ways we are doing our part to help address complex societal issues .
yesterday , wal - mart announced that the company will work with the first lady on her
let’s move !
campaign . as the nation’s largest grocer , wal - mart has committed to “provide its customers with healthier and more affordable food choices , ” according to a news release .
we commend wal - mart for their involvement with the first lady . and we encourage you to learn more about how our industry is putting calorie information at the fingertips of consumers at every point of purchase .
805 15th street , nw | suite 1120 | washington , dc 20005 | 202 . 371 . 9792
many u . s . localities have implemented a soda tax to reduce obesity and related public health problems . in each locality , the aba has bankrolled a big dollar pr campaign against the tax .
led by the aba , the soda industry spent $ 48 . 9 million on recent soda tax opposition campaigns in cook county , il ; philadelphia , pa ; boulder , co ; san francisco , ca ; oakland , ca ; seattle , wa , santa fe , nm ; and albany , california , according to a november 2017 report [ 1 ] by the watchdog group center for science in the public interest .
the aba itself maintains a strong internet presence with a website , twitter account , facebook account , and youtube account . in addition , the organization creates and maintains a large number of “campaign websites” with linked social media accounts .
below is a list of the some of the more recent aba campaign websites .
because most of the soda taxes that have been implemented were enacted by ballot initiative , the aba has spent most of this money on television advertising campaigns . when the fight shifts to a state measure to preempt these local ordinances , it is likely that the aba will inflate campaign and lobby spending as well in an attempt to influence state lawmakers .
in each locality that introduces a soda tax , the aba quickly sets up a “grassroots” public relations front group whose primary purpose is to shields brand - name soda companies , like coke and pepsi , from responsibility and culpability . the center for media and democracy calls the practice of a big dollar pr industry campaigns acting like an organic grassroots operation “astroturfing . ”
if one industry tactic is to hide behind a front group with a diverse array of spokespersons , another is to use the front groups to shift the terms of the debate or refocus the debate on a different topic altogether . thus , we see aba front groups and ad campaigns working hard to shift the discussion from “soda tax” to “grocery tax” and from the public health impacts of sugary drinks to the “high cost of living . ” many aba ads in soda tax campaigns across the nation pound the “grocery tax” theme , claiming that it hurts small business and all consumers , even those who don’t drink soda . learn more about industry tactics from the center for media and democracy publishers of urltoken in this article bills to ban local soda taxes are moving in the states , coke and pepsi borrow from the tobacco playbook .
when all else fails , powerful industries sometimes move to ban local control of policies they do not like , including nutrition - related policy . in this tactic , industry is taking a page from the big tobacco playbook . tobacco has battled across the nation to preempt all sorts of local tobacco controls , for instance , twelve states preempt local smoke - free ordinances that are stronger than state standards .
there has already been preemption of local ordinances related to nutrition in nine states . [ 2 ]
recent state level bills interfering with local democracy , banning local food and nutrition ordinances including soda taxes .


white box robotics was founded in 2000 by thomas burick .

in 2005 , white box was acquired by frontline robotics of ottawa , canada and in working together the company designed , developed , manufactured and launched the 914 pc-bot the first of the 9-series robots , a general service robot designed for digital life in the home , at work and at play .

released to early market in december , 2006 and shown as part of the digital life show in new york the 914 pc-bot won " best of show : future technology " award .

in 2007 a strategic partnership between heathkit and white box robotics , south korea was formed to sell the he-robot a badge-engineered version of the 914 pc-bot in 2014 the pc-bot line was discontinued after cohort systems inc 's acquisition of white box robotics and frontline robotics .

white box robotics

for more info , chec out mini - box , microsoft , and white box robotics .
frontline robotics and white box robotics have announced they will merge , with a new robotics series aimed at high - end security and defense uses .
frontline robotics and white box robotics are merging , the companies announced tuesday at the robobusiness conference in cambridge , massachusetts , which is highlighting business uses of robotics .
before we get into white box robotics , tell me about the field . robotics has come a long way in the past few years .
your search ' fbk 2100w freezer box white w100place divider ' did not match any products . showing results using some of your search terms ' fbk 2100w freezer box white w100place divider '
your request for urltoken has been directed to this page , because white box robotics inc . has been acquired by cohort systems inc .
white box robotics was founded in 2000 by thomas burick to fulfill the vision of changing the world - one robot at a time .
the merging companies have been working together since december 2004 . their first collaborate product was presented tuesday and is similar to white box robotics ' 9 series .
white box robotics was founded to give the mobile robotics industry a leap forward . the company aims to give enthusiasts , teachers , researchers and technologists a radical tool that breaks down walls and allows people to build advanced mobile robots .
the 10 - bots have the same basic principles as our earlier robots ,
said thomas burick , chief executive officer of white box robotics , which is based in pittsburgh .
the white box team delivers the depth and breadth to catapult robot technology into the rapidly emerging market for personal , commercial and security robotic applications .
about white box robotics white box robotics is the creator of the pc - bot , the worlds first mobile robot made from off - the - shelf pc parts . their patent - pending technology delivers flexible , affordable and visually striking mobile robots for commercial and educational markets . for more information or to place an order for a 914 pc - bot , please visit the company web site at www . whiteboxrobotics . com .
frontline robotics ' main product is robot open control ( roc ) , an operating system for use by teams of collaborative security robots . fist - sized metal boxes containing the robot control software are used in white box robotics latest
server on wheels ,
part of a 10 pc - bot series . the new white box 914 pc - bot is powered by a standard pc , with buyers choosing the processor , hard drive and other pc parts used to build the system .
the long - awaited pc - based robots from white box robotics are one step closer with an announcement today that the company will begin accepting orders on may 10 for shipping sometime before the end of 2005 . the first production run will be limited to 3 , 000 units . the entire white box website has been taken down until may 10th , so details and pricing information won ' t be available until then . for more , see our previous story on white box robotics . we ' ll provide a detailed review of the new robot if tom ships us a review unit ( hint , hint ) . the full text of today ' s press release follows .
robot hobbyists ( with a hefty wallet ) rejoice ! the long awaited 9 - series pc robots from white box robotics are officially soon - to - be - shipping . the robots , manufactured by frontline robotics , which merged with tom burick’s brainchild , white box robotics , are first being released in a low quantity , initial run . these first robots , dubbed the 914 pc - bot will be sold to early - adopters for a hefty price tag of $ 5 , 000 . lest that price completely turn you off from the thought of having your own handy pc - bot , the good folks at white box have strongly reminded us that they’re aiming for a sub - $ 2 , 000 price range once the ‘bots have ramped up to production .
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white box w / 100 place divider , 10 / pk , cardboard w / drainhole , 5 1 / 4
x 5 1 / 4
x 2
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starting with the white box robotics model 914 , today on the mind . forth download page i have begun listing off - the - shelf robots which may ( no guarantee ) be capable of running mind . forth ai and its derivatives in various programming languages .
pittsburgh , pa , usa 5 may 2005 white box robotics today announced that on may 10th it is making available for sale , from its web site , the new white box 914 pc - bot . a manufacturing - ready prototype will be demonstrated at the upcoming robobusiness conference in boston on the same day . the company will take orders using the paypal service and will deliver the first limited production run of 3 , 000 robots to early adopters in time for christmas .
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phenix grid , white box w / 100 place divider , 10 / pk , cardboard w / drainhole , 5 1 / 4
x 5 1 / 4
x 2
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white light illuminator light boxes provide the perfect amount of light for student viewing or photography of stained electrophoresis gels . the box is made of shatter - resistant plexiglas with a stainless steel frame and uses led lights .
white box robotics today , works with companies and researchers who need to put robots to work inside digital ecosystems and digital life systems where complex data and processing is required at the point of human contact . think of our robots as mobile peripherals interacting , responding to and moving with your end users , your family or your colleagues .
in 2005 , white box was acquired by frontline robotics of ottawa , canada and , in working together , the company designed , developed , manufactured and launched the 914 pc - bot – the first of the 9 - series robots – a general service robot designed for digital life in the home , at work and at play .
all the fun things you can do with . net from extending media centre to robotics to game development .
one box contains the pair of power - supply boards . there is a good deal of extra room in this box , but air flow for cooling is an important consideration . both boxes have lots of holes specifically designed for cooling .
© 2018 robotshop inc . all rights reserved . putting robotics at your service is a trademark of robotshop inc .
“white box robotics consists of pioneers , daredevils , and evangelists for this movement . as a community , we have the opportunity to improve the quality of people’s lives through robotics and through a robot that can stand and move inside a digital world that we all have to live in every day . we will actively contribute to this future where robots will be a part of our everyday existence . . . assisting the elderly , providing companionship , looking after our welfare , our security , our identity and protecting the innocent . ”
were very excited to be embracing pc enthusiasts , robotics enthusiasts and educational communities alike with the 914 pc - bot . this is a next generation pc . things have been pretty stale in that industry for a few years , and the 914 gives modders a new stage for their work , said thomas burick , founder and president of white box robotics . educators can afford multiple 914s for their labs . robotics enthusiasts finally have a high quality platform they can afford . the pc - bot opens up new possibilities for commercial exploitation by forward - thinking oems . i cant wait to see where these communities take the platform with their talent and imagination .
cohort systems inc . has completed the acquisition of frontline robotics inc . and whitebox robotics inc . frontline robotics inc . was formed in 2001 and was an early developer of technology for unmanned ground vehicles intended for the perimeter security of critical infrastructure . whitebox robotics inc . was a company created to develop a standard indoor security and surveillance product , generically called the pc - bot which was sold in a variety of configurations to 16 countries . the pc - bot and its variants have been discontinued .
white box robotics introduced the model 912 pre - production prototype at the robonexus conference in santa clara last october . rather than proceeding to manufacture with the 912 , the company decided to make several key improvements to the robot in order to ensure customer satisfaction . the new model 914 includes upgraded power supply and batteries , upgraded stepper motors , newly designed eye area with improved leds , and other minor but ultimately important features .
your request for urltoken has been directed to this page , because frontline robotics inc . has been acquired by cohort systems inc .
2012 top 10 robot christmas gift ideas darpa robotics challenge kick off 2012 asabe robot contest photos interview with david l . heiserman david anderson on subsumption robots review : apocalyptic ai by robert m . geraci raspberry pi interview with eben upton 2012 vex robotics world championship giant dallas robot cited as best public art there ' s more than one way to skin a robot day of the androids at hanson robotics
ipega pg - 9068 wireless bluetooth 3 . 0 joystick gamepad gaming controller remote control with 6 inch telescopic holder for mobile phone tablet pc android tv box
serious robotocists will want to check out white box robotics ' pc - bot ( fig . 1 ) . this is a professional mobile platform : expandable , with the horsepower to handle add - ons . it is also something that has a presence , compared to the smaller lego mindstorms or irobot create . at 21 in . and 55 pounds ( 24 kg ) , the pc - bot is a formidable robot in the pattern of star wars ' r2 - d2 .
‘for teachers , researchers , engineers or legacy systems developers who need to front real - world applications and robotics projects with a digital face . ’
while i was travelling last week two new product releases ‘snuk’ out . microsoft robotics developer studio 2008 and xns games studio 3 . 0 . both now supporting the vs 2008 products which makes for a more comfortable environment on vista . microsoft robotics developer studio ( mrds ) 2008 has some important changes to licensing as well as exciting feature…
at white box , the creators understand – it’s about the turn of the wrench , the feel of the screwdriver in your hand . . . working with earthly elements – copper , steel , silver , lead , and oil that is this spectacular machine . it’s about manipulating these materials in such a way to create quality of life at the end of a digital stream for a real person .
could this be the new hero type robot that everyone gets ? could be cool if it was as ubiquitous as the pc . this could be another robotics revolution waiting to happen !
this white light illuminator provides the perfect amount of light for student viewing or photography of stained electrophoresis gels . students will see the bands in their stained gels more clearly and make more accurate measurements when the gels are illuminated from beneath .
i can ' t leave an electronic store without a handful of gadgets that i want to fit to our robots ,
burick said .
pc enthusiasts had a huge impact on the pc ' s future . i expect the same thing in robotics . there ' s usually a steep learning curve in robotics but this is plug - and - play with windows as interface .
the capabilities that the merger provides we will first exploit in security applications ,
said richard lepack , chief executive officer of frontline robotics , which is based on ottawa , as he announced the merger .
the two companies and their products are typical examples of the current trend in the robotics industry . the expo floor at the conference is dominated by displays and videos showing soldiers and security guards interacting with robots and unmanned vehicles .
ubtech digital servo is engineered with a built - in mcu , self - controlled , and sensory feedback system . this improves the flow of movement to be more precise . our robotic engine has the most advanced technology in the robotics industry .
box explores the synthesis of real and digital space through projection - mapping on moving surfaces . the short film documents a live performance , captured entirely in camera . bot & dolly produced this work to serve as both an artistic statement and technical demonstration . it is the culmination of multiple technologies , including large scale robotics , projection mapping , and software engineering . we believe this methodology has tremendous potential to radically transform theatrical presentations , and define new genres of expression . find out exactly how
box
was created in our exclusive behind the scenes video : urltoken urltoken _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ subscribe to the creators project : urltoken _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
apocalyptic ai by robert m . geraci robotics programming 101 pololu 3pi : the 10 , 000 mile review unofficial lego mindstorms nxt guide machinima review : stolen life i - robot poetry by jason christie the definitive guide to building java robots microbric viper kit scribbler robot competitive mindstorms introduction to autonomous mobile robots
the pc - bot changes the robotics landscape with a fundamental shift in flexibility , functionality and affordability . until now , enthusiasts and robotics labs have had the choice of buying proprietary garage - quality platforms at a reasonable price , or higher quality proprietary platforms for $ 10 , 000 and up . for about the price of a good pc , customers can add their choice of available processors , hard drives and thousands of other mature pc parts to the 914 chassis . the end result is a very high quality , visually striking , functional mobile robot that is built out to be whatever the end - user wants .
the other box contains the mini - itx motherboard . the external connectors are found on the back of the pc - bot . there is enough space to add a pci card parallel to the motherboard with the correct bracket , but mounting something in a rigid fashion will take some work with sheet metal or plastic and some power tools .
the pc - bot consists of a set of linked compartments that are all part of a solid metal case comparable to the best pc mini - towers . the m3 control unit , batteries and motor are housed in the lower section , and the central part is laid out in 5 . 25 - in . drive - bay fashion . on either side is a pair of boxes that can flip down ( fig . 7 ) and then open ( fig . 8 ) with the twist of a latch . one holds the box up . another pair keep the lid on the box . the boxes are hinged so they swing down and wires hold the boxes at a right angle , parallel to the ground .
power from the two lead acid batteries runs through a pair of mini - box m2 - atx power supplies . these are the same ones used in our car pc ( car pc , part 2 : the mini - itx pc , ed online # 14228 ) . one power supply handles the motherboard . the other handles the electrical requirements of the rest of the system .
the pc - bot can be easily configured to perform a myriad of useful and entertaining functions . it does everything you would expect a desktop pc to do – plus it moves by remote control or autonomously avoids obstacles , transmits and receives – voice , video , data and text – but additionally the 914 is intended to put scalable data and processing power into a complex mobile robotics digital world that involves human beings .
the pc - bot comes with some sample applications and support for platforms like the robotics studio . we had the pc - bot dancing and chasing the cat as soon as the batteries where charged . our poor kitty was terrorized as my daughter had the pc - bot wandering around , saying
here kitty , kitty . . . .
now i need to get it ready to be a presenter at our local science fair .
it took a while to get through all of the pc - bot ' s hardware features , and it will be even longer to get through the software side because of the flexibility of this platform . i ' ll be using this to examine robotic software such as microsoft ' s robotics studio in future articles . the pc - bot will support almost any pc - based software so there will be a number of articles about the pc - bot in the near future .
the robots come standard with a propulsion system , 8 ir rangefinders , a usb motor controller system , batteries , webcam , a functional via epia sp13000 motherboard , 1gb of ram , 40gb harddrive , dvd / cd - rw drive , wifi card , and windows xp home . it’s up to you to supply ideas for what to do with it . however , right out of the box you can wireless command it to navigate around your house , and you can also put it in an autonomous learning / navigating mode .
it ' s not a choice between a truck , sedan , or ferrari , but the pc - bot does come in different flavors that will take a different - sized bite out of your pocketbook . the full - up 914 pc - bot comes in at $ 4995 . this includes all the bells , whistles , motherboard , headlights and plastic case . it is ready to run out of the box and has the look of a professional robot . it is ideal for someone intending to use the pc - bot in public applications .
it really has . i ' ve been working on the 9 - series robot for the past five years . quite honestly i started out by thinking about applying computer parts to robotics in some way because computer boards are so cheap and plentiful , i thought , if we could take them and apply that to personal robots and mobile robots , oh boy . i actually started doing mockups of the robot ' s body in 3d and then graduated into several laser - type chassis . that took five years of refinement and then working with our production partner . we ' ve come a long way .
the first entertaining humanoid robot that connects via bluetooth 4 . 0 to your pc android or ios . download the free software on ubtech robotics website to program your robot . you can also download direct from the manufactures site for some premium content . the premium content will have excellent choices from yoga demonstrations , exercise moves , and an awesome song collection . use that premium content and do some of your own creative modifications to personalize your robotic moves ! the biggest advantage is that you will learn how to program a robot to follow your every command . the program is for beginners and advanced users .
it is the first , patented robot design to employ standard pc parts . . . it does everything a pc does , houses the same plug - and - play hardware as a pc does , runs the same operating systems that a pc runs – but – it’s mobile . in short it’s a pc that has read - to - me , speak - to - me , move - with - me functionality that houses enough horsepower out - of - the - box to access and process the world’s legacy data – and put it in the hands ( literally ) of a human being . it moves , talks , sees , hears , senses and can physically react and respond to the environment it is placed in .
airports , nuclear power stations , pipelines and other large high - threat areas are examples where robots can be vital parts of the surveillance system ,
lepack said .
last month , lepack and engineers at his company , demonstrated collaboration between fully autonomous robots using the roc system .
when two mobile robots entered a narrow passage from opposite directions one of the robots cleared the passage so that the other one could come through ,
lepack said .
most of the 10 pc - bot is made from off - the - shelf pc parts mounted on a mobile platform , but while the 9 series was mainly marketed as an entertainment device with cd , dvd , an mp3 player and cameras , the 10 series is aimed at high - end areas such as security and defense .
it could be used in banks or warehouses ,
lepack said , giving an example :
if there ' s an indication of someone trying to break in through a door ; a 10 series robot with telepresence functions could go there and take a look . the images will be sent to a security guard and the intruder will be interrupted and maybe identified .
other functions that could be fitted to the 9 and 10 series mini motherboard via usb ( universal serial bus ) ports are applications for facial recognition , speech synthesis , infrared sensors , motion detectors , radiation , gas or chemical sensors .
both the 9 and 10 series run on windows , but will be delivered without that operating system . the 9 series platform costs about us $ 10 , 000 . even though the 10 series is not yet in production it will soon be available for orders and will be delivered within 18 months , according to lepack .
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iot botnets have been known for quite a while , but they gained household infamy after mirai grabbed the headlines back in 2016 .
i need power and lots of it . as a front end web developer anything less just won’t cut it which is why the msi gt75 is an outstanding laptop for me . it’s a sleek and futuristic looking , high quality , beast that has a touch of sci - fi flare about it .
if you’re looking to invest in your next work horse laptop for work or home use , you can’t go wrong with the msi ge63 .
if you can afford the price tag , it is well worth the money . it out performs any other laptop i have tried for gaming , and the transportable design and incredible display also make it ideal for work .
touch screen visibility and operation was great and easy to navigate . each menu and sub - menu was in an understandable order and category
i would recommend this device for families and small businesses who want one safe place to store all their important digital content and a way to easily share it with friends , family , business partners , or customers .
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with over 25 years of brand awareness and credibility , good gear guide ( formerly pc world australia ) , consistently delivers editorial excellence through award - winning content and trusted product reviews .
for more information and pictures you can check out the community site , urltoken along with their image gallery , and the purchase page for a complete list of features .
william , thank you for the coverage on our recent release of of the 914 . we are so excited that we are shipping ‘bots . initial reaction from the early adopters has been incredible . thanks again for the coverage . best , tom burick
yes they can talk . since it’s a pc , it talks the same way your pc can . also with brain ( see urltoken ) or dragon natrually speaking , you can talk to it !
robotshop , the world ' s leading robot store for personal and professional robot technology . here you will find the best selection of robot vacuums and other domestic robots , professional robots , robot toys , and robot kits , and robot parts for building your own robots .
robotshop is also a leading force in robotic education and research . we provide a diverse product selection , educational and quantity discounts , useful resources and specialized support .
veteran journalist j . d . lasica caught up with thomas j . burick , ceo of
of youngwood , penn . , at the robonexus trade show in santa clara , calif . , last month . as robots whirled by on the floor , burick talked about robots coming down in price to the consumer level , battling pcs for supremacy in the home , and why he didn ' t care for
i , robot .
a new u . n . report says that 607 , 000 automated domestic helps were in use at the end of 2003 . it seems that the most popular robots purchased by consumers perform manual tasks like yardwork or vacuuming the floors as well as educate or entertain .
tapping into the same creative well as ' minecraft ' could be the key to long - term success .
it ' s available now , along with watchos , tvos and homepod versions .
the company will launch an ipo on a ' recognized ' us stock exchange .
it comes with boards , fishing rods , a tent and a solar - powered shower .
save my name , email , and website in this browser for the next time i comment .
the company’s mission is to develop mobile robotic platforms that empower people by eliminating the difficult learning curve associated with the building of these machines . its focus is to create and develop pc - bots – plug - and - play robots created almost entirely from off - the - shelf industry - standard computer parts in a framework that is open to extension , creativity and continuing innovation . this technology allows people with a rudimentary understanding of assembling or upgrading devices such as pcs to build onto this new species of robot .
released to early market adopters and pioneer purchasers in december , 2006 and shown as part of the digital life show in new york – the 914 pc - bot won “best of show : future technology” award .
the 9 - series pc - bot is a standard for the world that allows innovation - based communities to focus their energies on a common platform and deliver data at the point of human contact .
inspired by world - class design and fueled by advanced engineering , the 914 pc - bot gives enthusiasts , educators and business partners alike the opportunity to create exciting , functional , mobile robots from off - the - shelf computer parts . . .
it is an intelligent machine for teachers , researchers , applications and systems developers trying to do simple or complex things with an element of mobility in mind .
the 9 - series robot isn’t merely a cold conglomeration of sheet metal and electronics . it is a companion whom we have longed to know all our lives and we have deliberately engineered real emotion into the metal and the plastics in order to evoke a positive and energy - charged human response .
the developers have opened the hardware and the software to you so that you can build this modern machine and watch it live , move , interact with the world . “for just an intoxicating second it takes you somewhere else . we hope you feel shifted . . . suspended , briefly glancing twenty - five years into the future . somehow you’ve had the privilege to build a machine that feels so miraculously alive ! ” exults ceo thomas burick .
our early adopter community has been patient for months now . we appreciate them hanging in there and were so pleased to finally take firm orders , said burick . now that were going to manufacture , growing our team and getting the end - users talents working on the pc - bot platform , well be evolving it rapidly going forward .
those base units look good but their functionality is limited . how many of us have at one time gone round and round in circle making new mobile robots , but not going any further because its hard to expand on a base platform . the idea is good , but it is going to take arms and grippers before i consider getting one .
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the big difference between the pc - bot and most off - the - shelf robots is capacity . it has internal bays for user - developed peripherals . it is controlled by a mini - itx motherboard , which provides pc - level compute capacity that can use standard usb peripherals like a global positioning system ( gps ) module to enhance its capabilities .
its heavy - duty motors , wheels and casters are still limited to a relatively flat surface but it does not have to be completely smooth . carpets will not slow it down , but obviously stairs are more than a challenge . its pair of 12 - v , 9 - a sealed lead acid batteries provide plenty of power for the two dc stepper drive motors .
the $ 3995 9 - series development platform ( fig . 2 ) is essentially a naked 914 pc - bot . yes , those custom plastic parts are a bit expensive , but not always necessary mdash ; especially if you intend to build your own .
the base platform , and of course the 914 pc - bot , come with a via epia sp 13000 lvds mini - itx mmotherboard with 1 gbyte of 400 - mhz pc3200 ddr ram . the system boots from an 80 - gb 2 . 5 - in . sata hard disk or a slimline dvd - rom / cd - rw drive . external usb ports can be used to temporarily attached more drives or drives can be added internally as well . the 8 half - height 5 . 25 - in . drive bays ( fig . 3 ) initially house the computer bay speakers and audio interface , along with the dvd / hard disk drive combo .
the two systems comes with a linksys 802 . 11g wireless usb adapter . this works with linux or windows . ubuntu linux and windows xp home are included as well . they come configured with vnc remote control support since the unit typically operates in a headless fashion .
bargain hunters or those with a mini - itx motherboard can get away with the $ 2995 9 - series basic unit . this essentially provides all the hardware , including basic electronics . it does not include items like the motherboard , web camera , and usb wireless adapter , but it does include the batteries and power supply . the plastic case is available separately .
the pc - bot has dozens of digital and analog io , but most will be handled by the usb machine management module ( m3 ) . the m3 controls the motors , headlights , and infrared sensors that can be spaced around the pc - bot . it does not control devices attached directly to the motherboard ( like the usb camera ) or devices that are added by the user . the m3 does not handle other interfaces built into the mother such as the serial ports .
combining everything else into one control unit simplifies wiring and software control . m3 drivers are provided for linux and windows . the m3 unit is inside the core the pc - bot , but a pair of plug - in panels can be found at the bottom of the front and rear of the pc - bot ( fig . 4 ) . devices like the ir range finders are connected individually to the m3 unit .
the pc - bot is a hefty system built around a solid metal frame ; hence its 55 - pound starting weight . adding a few more heavy peripherals or devices would crush most other platforms , but not the pc - bot . to move its bulk , the robot has a pair of heavy - duty stepper motors linked to large wheels ( fig . 5 ) by drive belts .
the robot keeps its balance using a pair of patented self - cleaning roller - ball casters in the front and rear of the robot ( fig . 6 ) . these allow the robot to pivot . unlike free spinning wheels , the casters don ' t get caught on obstacles .
overall , the pc - bot ' s drive system is a good compromise between ruggedness and mobility . it does not require extra power when standing that a balancing robot would , and the implementation hefty enough to move its bulk rather quickly and accurately . in fact , the typical limitation on movement is the quality of the environmental sensing system rather than the drive system .
the pc - bot can go up gentle inclines , roll over small bumps and run on carpet without any problems . obviously it will not be going up or down stairs but it is quite mobile otherwise .
the boxes are covered on all sides , but there is a large hold on one side for cabling . this opens into the central area ( fig . 9 ) . this is where the hard disk and dvd drive reside , as well as the m3 control unit access . there is plenty of space for numerous cables ; ide , sata , usb and power cables are already routed through the area .
i think the flip - down approach is an excellent idea . the only issue i have with the architecture is that the two main front and rear plastic covers must be removed to gain access to the boxes . this is not a problem in general , since hardware tweaking is not something you tend to do once the system is finalized , but most will leave the plastic aside during hardware development .
it is possible to get to some of the interfaces through four small access ports on the plastic skin ( fig . 10 ) . power switches and charging sockets are readily available , but the one item you cannot access easily is the vga port on the motherboard . given the tight confines with the plastic installed , it is also unlikely a cable could be routed to the outside world . in general , this is not an issue , since even in headless mode , most developers will utilize a remote control program using the wireless link ; but this does not help much during the boot process . of course , most developers will likely latch onto a single operating system instead of twiddling the multiple boot feature .
the pc - bot is capable of handling a wide range of peripherals and sensors , but it comes with two primary sensors . the first is divided into two groups of infrared ( ir ) range finders . the second is the usb web camera . neither will do much without the appropriate software support , but the software has direct control over these peripherals .
the m3 system mentioned earlier is used to support the ir range finders . the first group is found around the bottom of the pc - bot ( fig . 11 ) . they are mounted on a semi - circular metal bracket and there are holes in the plastic cover for these sensors . the bracket and cover have room for 9 sensors . five are included with the system . additional sensors can be added as necessary . coverage of the included five sensors is about the front 250 degrees depending upon the obstacle distance from the pc - bot . two of the sensors are for either side . one is aimed directly forward and the remaining pair is off to either side on the front .
a second metal bracket and sensors can be added , but comparable coverage could be obtained with just three additional sensors mirroring the ones in front , since the side sensors would overlap .
the second set of ir sensors is found in the middle of the robot on the front ( fig . 12 ) . these sensors are aimed at the floor at an angle . these are designed to detect the general height of objects , but more importantly they can be used to detect the floor or , more importantly , the lack thereof . a 50 - pound hunk of metal and plastic falling down the stairs or rolling over the side of a ledge is not an image most robotocists will want to see . the pc - bot is rugged . . . but it isn ' t indestructible .
the other sensor is the logitech web camera that is mounted on top and to one side of the pc - bot ( fig . 13 ) . the ball camera can be aimed in any direction , but typically ,
level and forward
will be the direction for most applications . the camera does not pan or tilt , but an adept designer can add this feature . aimed forward , the camera provides full coverage of the width of the pc - bot after about two feet .
the camera is suitable for obstacle detection and object identification . likewise , the processing platform has sufficient horsepower to handle the software that can make it happen . of course , adding and managing this type of software is a major hurdle , but that is for another article .
a standard linksys usb - based 802 . 11g adapter provides a wireless link to the pc - bot . this will definitely be the way the pc - bot is programmed and controlled . it has sufficient bandwidth to handle streaming audio and video from the pc - bot while providing enough headroom for control going in the other direction if necessary . standard remote control programs like vnc will likely be used to track and control the system , although custom applications can also be used .
the lack of a microphone is the only thing i found missing in the basic pc - bot architecture , although it is a trivial addition . the motherboard does have an audio input , so it is just a matter of adding the cabling . there are plenty of places to hide it .
one feature i would like to see would be a control panel and input buttons , but this is easy to add even without making major modifications to the plastic cover . there is a removable panel on the top in the rear that is just the right size for such a small control . while the current panel snaps in place , it is not too hard to modify this with a hinge to allow it to flip up ; but again , that ' s another project .
bit gets kids coding and loving robots with the stroke of a marker . customize , code with colors , and advance to ozoblockly .
make bit your own with stickers and diy accessories , from bunny ears to bow ties to lightning bolts .
start coding screen - free ! the activity pack teaches you to code bit with colors . make color codes with markers or stickers .
advance with ozoblockly and program bit’s movements , speed , and led light . load your code just by holding bit up to the screen .
© 2018 ozobot & evollve , inc . united states patent nos . 9 , 486 , 713 and 9 , 545 , 582 .
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richard lepack shows off the 914 at this year’s maker faire 🙂 the software shown briefly at the end is dave evans’ b . r . a . i . n built using . net .
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squaretrade 4 - year toys accident protection plan ( $ 450 - $ 499 . 99 )
squaretrade 3 - year toys accident protection plan ( $ 450 - $ 499 . 99 )
fully transferable with gifts . cancel anytime , full refund in the first 30 days
comment : minor cosmetic imperfection on top , front or sides of item . minor cosmetic imperfection on bottom or back of item . item will come in original packaging . packaging will be damaged .
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alpha 1s app to control your robot ( ios and android ) via bluetooth 4 . 0
free software to program your robot on ubtech website . 3d visual pc software for complete beginners and advanced programmers . user friendly gui interface to maximize your personal experience .
ooma butterfleye smart security camera with facial recognition , battery backup , 2 - w . . .
hi - tech wireless remote control robot kids rc robot toy senses gesture , sings , danc . . .
makeblock mbot robot kit , diy mechanical building block , stem education , entry - leve . . .
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alpha 1s will be your favorite entertainment companion . entertain or compete with your peers . have the freedom to learn , program , and share your demonstrations , dances , yoga moves , and martial arts . also bluetooth all your hot music hits via your iphone , android , or pc . the alpha 1s has the capability to move up to 180 degrees of rotation for maximum agility .
return policy : all of our products are subject to a 30 - day return . however , we are not responsible for any products lost , broken , or damaged during flight or installation . all products are also susceptible to a 15 % restocking fee . if you have any questions or concerns please contact us and we will help you out to the best of our abilities or direct you to someone ( manufacturer ) who can . thank you . we will ship the ordered items through fedex . we will be unable to ship to p . o . boxes and extra charges will be made to locations in u . s . protectorates , hawaii , and alaska .
laview 16 channel 4k h . 265 poe nvr ultra - hd ( 3840x2160 ) security camera system with . . .
purchased for christmas present ( 12 / 25 / 16 ) . robot stopped moving two weeks later ( 1 / 8 / 17 ) . audio still responds but no attempted servo movement . ubtech completely not responsive to email ( only way to ' directly contact ' or fb messages ) . unless you have money to lose , highly recommend staying away from this product because if it fails you will get no help .
this is cool but not durable . it accidentally fell off the table and now doesn ' t move any longer . . . it ' s just an expensive shelf ornament now .
this robot looks very cool and could be fantastic , but the programming software leaves a lot to he desired . the app for controlling and downloading to the robot is also pretty wonky . after a couple hours you ' ve seen all of the available movements , dances , and stories . ( the left leg soccer kick caused my unit to fall over every time . ) then you ' re left with programming new routines . this would be fun if you were able to import existing routines into the software and go from there , but this is not an option and you have to start from scratch , which basically means you must have the patience and time of a stop - motion animator to really program anything worthwhile . it ' s too pricey to be a toy for kids and too limited to be a very interesting learning tool .
the robot was an excellent start with robotic technology , but still needs more to advance , my robot has a deviation in his left leg due to difference in move than the right leg , which makes him walk far from straight path , and its very clear when he moves backward , he moves in circles . i dont know if this can be fixed by software tuning or ther is a must for changing one of the servos , any way i enjoy developing new moves , althought the pc devlopment software needs more modifications for syncing the music with moves
we purchased these robots as a
showstopper ' for a large convention we attended . we programmed the bots to dance based on some info that was already out there . it wasn ' t the easiest to process , but once we got going , coding additional dances and moves were much simpler . the customer service , though there is a language barrier , was very responsive and helpful . the robots were a huge success , brought a ton of attention to our booth and got the crowd excited to win . they are a fun novelty . they don ' t do a ton of useful items , but are a great toy ad definitely entrance you with their capabilities .
lots of led lights and great movements love the stories and dancing be careful does . . .
lots of led lights and great movements love the stories and dancing be careful does fall over since a lot of downloads have quick moves . best on smooth surface . great looking piece and you can program your own moves and music or stories . hope ubtech and the public keep posting great dances and story telling also has lots of sport moves soccer lungful etc
piece of crap 500 . 00 beans all it does is light . . .
piece of crap 500 . 00 beans all it does is light up . do not buy it .
it is an old one , body full of scratches , doesn ' t come with a booklet . worse of all , it doesn ' t work !
the software has been improved and works for both pc / mac with apps for both android and ios . the software allows you to record and playback whatever moves you make for the bot . . .
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shatter - resistant plexiglas top gives maximum light diffusion and minimum glare with no “hot spots” that are so detrimental for clear viewing or photography . the stainless steel frame will maintain its attractive appearance for years . the viewing surface measures 10
* advanced placement and ap are registered trademarks of the college board , which was not involved in the production of , and does not endorse , these products .
neither achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the next generation science standards were involved in the production of this product , and do not endorse it .
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