Project Monday: LogoTurtleBot

Dave Hrynkiw
May 14, 2012

Question: What ever happened to punch cards? Nobody really knows, but the world became a much much darker place without them. There was something undeniably magical about making a computer do your bidding through feeding it a piece of paper with a bunch of holes in it ("THE ULTIMATE POWER IS MINE! I CAN NOW FIND OUT THE SUM OF TWO SINGLE-DIGIT NUMBERS!").

Lets Make Robots user isotope is bringing punch cards into the future. He has developed a drawing robot that it programmable by feeding it with black and white paper strips. Check it out:

Aside from the GMPW wheels and motors for muscle, the LogoTurtleBot is rocking a Freeduino SB and Protoshield for brains. isotope has done a lot of fantastic things with this build - aside from the obvious novelty factor (some might think programming via paper strips isn't be the most efficient system, but it scores some mega-awesome points with us), overall it's a well thought-out platform. Using CDs to construct the chassis, for example, was a creative piece of problem-solving and an effective decision. Even the finer elements, such as the feeder for the paper instructions, is a well-executed piece of engineering. Make sure you head on over to the project page and check out the handiwork!

MORE POSTS

February 27, 2013
Wednesday Cool Links, and Thanks for the...

Hello!  Today I actually have stuff to say, and this time these are the news on the Useless Box. Looks like it's time to receive thanks! Remember back in November 2012 when we decided to donate $1100 to Plan Canada from a percentage of past sales of Useless Boxes? They sent us a nice thank […]

January 10, 2018
Special Gift Ocarina Box

Now that the season of mass gift giving is (temporarily) over, publishing the details on this special gift for a wedding anniversary will not ruin a surprise. So I figured I'd share this personal project that uses simple but smart electronics.

April 27, 2005
Sumovore Upgrade Kit

What's new at Solarbotics? We've just released our Sumovore Baseplate Upgrade Kit which will let you replace the mounting tape & zip-tie restraints with a black powder-coated steel baseplate! This upgrade makes the Sumovore much more robust, and also increases the mass for a more competitive edge. Note that all new Sumovores from Solarbotics will […]

September 10, 2000
New Site!

Welcome to the new Solarbotics Website! We've been busy whipping Kenny the Web-boy with various types of wet noodles (use Fettuccini - heavier!) to get this new and improved site up to snuff. This year, we've moved the site to 100% ASP (yes, I hear the "boos" from the Linux camp over in Minnesota), which […]

Solarbotics Ltd Logo
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.

cart