Cool Link Wednesday - 'That's a Lot of F...

Dave Hrynkiw
June 13, 2012

Don't even bother reading this introduction - skip on ahead and go to the first link in the list. It'll blow your mind.

Medusa Medusa -Proximity Aware Multi-Touch Tabletop
This interactive surface (which is actually a version of Microsoft Surface) uses a mind-boggling 138 proximity sensors to detect people around and using the table. As far as we can tell, they're using some type of Sharp IR sensor, as well as some Phidgets interface devices.
The ShakerBOT: Snakeboard inspired robot The ShakerBOT - Snakeboard inspired robot
This is a insanely hypnotizing wheeled robot, that travels big zig-zagging around. Apparently it was inspired by something call "Snakeboards", which I've never heard of. We have a similar wiggle cart for kids in the office, that we often like to hop on and drive between the aisles of inventory. It does not always go very well. Make sure you click through and check out the video!
1000 Fireflies 1000 Fireflies - Electronics for 1000 Bicyclists
Says the website, these are "interactive blinking LED devices outfitted with microcontrollers and radio units that allow them to mutually and observably synchronize with others, as do certain species of firefly." It's an ambitious undertaking, and the results look gorgeous. It's not too far off our own version Firefly (well, not really, but kinda).
Creating Illuminated 3D Objects with a Laser Cutter Creating Illuminated 3D Objects with a Laser Cutter - Instructables Tutorial
We like lasers, acrylic, 3D objects, AND lights. So needless to say, this is right up our alley. Instructables author theseeker did a great job using two-dimensional objects to create something three-dimensional. As a bonus, it even looks somewhat pixelated. The tutorial is pretty comprehensive, going all the way through the design, production, and final assembly.
Iscar Chip Formation Iscar Chip Formation - Slow Motion During Steel Cutting
Solarbotics has some Sherline equipment we use for machining fixtures and the like (yeah, machine tools are cool...). We tripped over this link that shows magnified and slowed video of what it looks like when a machine tool cuts steel. Looks like putty. Hypnotic!
Communication glove for deaf-blind persons Mobile Lorm Glove - Communication Glove for Deaf-Blind Persons
Some German developers have come up with a really great solution to help those that are deaf and blind to communicate via Lorm, a tactile sign language, through a glove with vibrating motors and a Bluetooth connection. It's a really ingenious use of technology to make communication more accessible for those that have multiple impaired senses.

Hopefully there was enough neat stuff in there to keep you distracted for a little while on our way to the final stretch before the weekend.

MORE POSTS

September 18, 2003
New Wheels

Remember those bad-boy wheels you saw on Strongbad? Well, they're now available! But be warned - we don't have the sleeve to fix the 2mm shaft to 1/8" hole diameter gap, so you'll have to improvise something yourself. Otherwise, your robot will have a bit of a lope to its roll!

June 6, 2003
Sandwich PCB Parts Bundle!

We are finally stocking the complete parts bundle (with PCB) to compliment David Cook's Robot Building for Beginners book. Check out our kits section, and take a look at the Sandwich parts bundle which contains everything, including a nice set of documentation, to build your very own Sandwich bot.

December 22, 2007
Well, that was a busy December...

Hi all. The staff at Solarbotics/HVW Technologies has been worked hard these last six weeks leading up to the winter holiday, so we'll be open again December 27/28, and again for regular hours January 2nd. Hope the holidays are good to you too! Regards, Dave Hrynkiw President, HVW Technologies/Solarbotics Ltd.

February 27, 2017
Solarbotics Kits on Instructables

Instructables is an ever-expanding documentation platform for sharing DIY projects of all kinds, from pancakes to electronics to making anything fly. Since 2005 when it became what it is now, Instructables grew from hundreds to more than a hundred thousand projects. It's a great community of fellow makers from around the world fueled by curiosity […]

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