Let's start 2011 by promoting a worthwhile event sponsored by one of our suppliers, SparkFun. Tomorrow is their 2nd "Free Day". Last year's event pretty much crashed their servers (we sent flowers of condolence). This year, they're going about it a bit wiser, offering several ways to taking advantage of their $150,000 give-away. We're big […]
Ardweeny & Strandbeest Make An Exce...
Solar botics
November 29, 2011
So we've just released a ton of awesome little bundles for our Ardweenys, and you're thinking "Wow, what would I do with all those?". Well friend, why not build a Strandbeest with an Ardweeny for a brain?
For those few who aren't familiar with a Strandbeest (or don't know it by name), they are the work of Dutch kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen, and they're incredibly mesmerizing to watch in action:
Theo's creations are powered entirely by the wind, and he's working in some very BEAM-like behaviors in the hopes that his creations could one day wander the Dutch beaches on their own.
However, I'd prefer a bit more more control, and Gareth Branwyn over at Make Magazine has just posted up his plans to build a desktop sized one out of some laser cut wood and our awesome little Ardweeny and Breadboard Voltage Regulator Kit as a gift for a friend. You could very easily do the same with our newly release Ardweeny Project Pack, which includes a nifty little backpack with the voltage regulator built in, and even comes with the FTDI programming adapter, everything you need to get started. You can find detailed plans and instructions over on Jeremy Peterson aka 4volt's project page in case you'd like to take a shot at making your own. In fact, there's a tiny evil voice in my head telling me to build many of these and hide them under coworkers desks and the Christmas tree at home, preferably with some kind of glowing red eyes...
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