We've been having fun playing with the L293D driver chip. It's one of those things to see how much you can make it do by itself (like with any BEAM application!). Grant McKee has been experimenting with some simple additions to the chip to make it (unto itself) a suitable brain for a simple mini-sumo […]
BIOBug / BEP Contest
Dave Hrynkiw
December 3, 2001
Think you're good at modifying toys? Got a toaster with legs? A cat with wheels? A self-pruning Chia-Pet? Well, do we have a contest for YOU:
Mark Tilden has confirmed with us that he's willing to donate two complete sets of Wowwee/Hasbro BIOBugs (4, one of each type) to the top two hacks/modifications to be published to the Internet. Mark had a heavy hand in designing the BIOBugs, and intentionally made them very receptive to custom modifications. What does that mean? YOU decide.
Given that Mark is an aficionado of truly bizarre/innovative devices and hacks, I suggest you DO NOT limit yourself to just serious technical hacks. Amusement and twisted humour counts too! Or, go the other way, and try for serious technical hacks. Figure out the I/O pins; interface a secondary processor, add additional functionality.
Existing hacks recently witnessed thus far include:
- A general BIOBug vivisection
- Adding a waist motor to a Predator
- Adding a "flapping wing shell" to a Blue bug when it's agitated (in fight mode)
- Stilt legs on a yellow bug
Get your BIOBug, hack it by February 28th, 2002 (gives you plenty of time after getting one from the dog as a Christmas Gift), email us your URL with the hack, and we'll see how it goes!
What's this got to do with Solarbotics & the BEP? Simple. If you use any of the BEP modules in your hack, and it wins (judged by Mr. Tilden), we'll give you a $200 credit for anything at Solarbotics.
Questions? None? Good. Get to work!
MORE POSTS
Friday New Shiny Product: SMD LED String...
We have a tricky product today. It pretends to be one, but it is actually ten. Is it like some sort of a mighty god with 10 avatars? Or a weird non-conventional 10-coloured rainbow? Close, it's the 10m lengths of LED strings that come in different colour variations, including an RGB one, which makes things […]
Register for our Workshops at the Maker ...
Register for our workshops at the Maker Faire Bay Area May 17-19 Build the "Solarbotics Marble Machine" Kit Workshop Register Build the Solar "Squid Hunting" Dynamic Art Kit Workshop Register
Postal Services Resume
It looks like Canada Post employees are going back to work. This means that everyone who is waiting for their order should see it sooner than later, and our free-shipping is back in effect. We'll start sending out all the back orders right away (they should all hopefully go out within the next couple days), […]
Solarbotics has been operating for more than 25 years, bringing electronics know-how and supplies to both the electronics professional and hobbyist. We'll be happy to help you too!
Solarbotics, Ltd. is not responsible for misprints or errors on product prices or information. For more information, please see our Terms and Conditions.
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information. This item was manufactured prior to August 31, 2018.