We know we don't have anything directly related to RoboSapiens (other than gear motors), but as we're tight with Mr. Tilden, and he's the father of BEAM technology, it's always worthwhile to report useful bits about him. There's presently an interview with him at you-review.com - take a boo! (Then come back and do more […]
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.
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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. |
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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! |
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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). |
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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. |
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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! |
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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.
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K SMD Motor Driver
Got a new kit for you - the K SMD L293D Motor Driver. No, no, the SMD isn't "surface mount" - it's the Secret Motor Driver! This L293D-based motor driver fits secretly inside most standard servo cases like the Futaba S3003/S148, and our own GM4 gear motors. It replaces the low-voltage original electronics with LED-indicated, […]
More interesting links on the inter-web....
Browsing around, I found another link regarding Mark Tilden & WowWee. From the website "AllNerdReview.com" (if that doesn't describe a roboticist...) comes article about a their visit to the New York Toy Fair (ok, so my web-browsing is a bit old). Enjoy... http://www.allnerdreview.com/TOYFAIR05/TF13.htm
Motion Activated Tree Lights
In compliance with the upcoming holidays we decided to contribute to the obligatory dose of Christmas ornamentation in the shape of the well-known coniferous tree. A tabletop freestanding tree with LED strings and a flashing star on top seemed like an easy enough thing to do. We also wanted to add a tech twist to […]
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