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

August 15, 2001
Shok Circuits

Here's a little something from Grant in the development lab - a very simple pair of circuits based on Mark Tilden's Bicore Shok architecture. This circuit makes for a very simple, effective Photovore robots, or even a photo-head. Take a look - schematics & parts listed included! We've also added a gallery entry for these […]

June 19, 2010
A Sensory Bonanza

Sensors. They're FUN. So fun, in fact, we just added a metric crap-tonne (a completely legitimate scientific unit of measurement) of them to Solarbotics. What, you don't believe me? CHECK THIS ACTION OUT! We just added 4 categories, and we now have a total of 75 items available. Here's the full rundown of new stuff: […]

September 19, 2012
Wednesday Cool Links: Lotsa Arty Stuff

Ok, yes, we know. This is yet another late cool link post, but... We have a good excuse, honest! We just got in a second laser (from Full Spectrum), and we were distracted for most of yesterday getting it up and running. So enough excuses - here's this week's batch of links: PVC Instrument, DRS […]

December 31, 2008
Happy Yew Nears!

This is just a subtle reminder that Solarbotics & HVW Technologies will both be closed January 1st and 2nd (Thursday and Friday), while we're out fighting raging hangovers being productive members of society. We hope 2008 treated all of you well and that 2009 will be even better. And if it isn't, well... Once we […]

1 … 70 71 72 73 74 … 253
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.