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Archive: Robotics
February 9, 2009
Staredown betwen Tim O'Reilly and Einstein at TED
Joi Ito took this fantastic photo (Creative Commens Attribution 2.0 Generic License) of Tim O'Reilly studying David Hanson's Einstein robot at TED last week.
We plan to publish a robotics issue of MAKE later this year, and we'd like to include a project for making a robot that has facial expressions. If you've built such a robot and want to write a how-to for us, let me know!
Posted by Mark Frauenfelder |
Feb 9, 2009 10:58 AM
Robotics |
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February 8, 2009
Maker Shed weekly wrap-up
It was a busy week in the Maker Shed. We announced 2 new kits, the Deluxe learn to solder kit and the Arduino controlled servo robot. We had a lot of great builds and reviews too!
We started the week with my How-to Tuesday: Arduino 101 blink an LED, which seemed to be very popular with all the people getting into programming these amazing little micro-controllers.
Collin had a great how-to video about making games with Meggy Jr. I really like his unique sun-catching game that he programmed. I have to pick up a Meggy Jr. and try my hands at programming my own game.
Later in the week I made a post about building my new favorite kit by Gakken, the Stirling Engine Kit. It's an amazing kit, full of high quality parts. I really enjoyed learning about how these engines work. I have a few plans on hacking this kit, but more on that in a later post.
Gareth finished up the week with 2 great posts from the Maker Shed. His first post was a review of the SERB Robot kit. He was really impressed by the quality and completeness of the kit. I plan on doing more posts about programming this cool kit in the near future.
Gareth also posted a great excerpt from the book Eccentric Cubicle. I don't own this book, but after reading this excerpt it's a must-have for my book collection. What a great read about finding hidden gems in the scrap yard.
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Feb 8, 2009 01:00 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Kits, MAKE Video, Maker Shed Store, Reviews, Robotics, Science, Something I want to learn to do... |
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February 6, 2009
Review: SERB Robot kit
When we were working on the Best of Instructables, one of my favorite projects in the book was the "How to Make an OAWR (Obstacle Avoidance Robot)" by Clement Fletcher. The bot used laser-cut plastic components that you can either cut yourself or purchase through Ponoko. The instructions for the robot were so extraordinarily well done and the bot looked really well-design. The downloadable PDF documentation was gorgeous and looked crystal clear. All of it made me itch to actually undertake the project. So, when I discovered that Clement and his pals had created a company, called Oomlout, to promote their Arduino-based open source robot designs, and to sell kits, I jumped at the chance to review one.
The SERB, short for Arduino Controlled Servo Robot (ah... sort of), is a two-servo, three-wheeled robot development platform. Like the OAWR, it is built almost entirely of clear plastic laser-cut parts. For control, it uses the Arduino Duemilanove. There are two power sources, the logic powered by a 9V, and the motors via a 4-AA battery pack. The SERB carries a small breadboard on its back which handles the connections between all of the electronic components (re.g. the PWM lines to the motors and the Gnd line from the motor's battery pack). Obviously, the fun starts when you use the breadboard to attach additional sensor systems and begin expanding the bot's capabilities.
The SERB is a very handsome kit. It comes in a generic white clamshell box with a sheet of artwork glued to the lid. You can tell it's a "mom and pop" kit operation, but that makes it all the more charming, and impressive, when you see how well it's all done.
Inside are two sheets of 3mm (.118") acrylic plastic with all of the components laser-cut from them. The sheets have a backing to hold all of the parts in place. All of the other components are inside small manila envelopes, clearly labeled. There's an Assembly Guide booklet and a Wiring Diagram sheet included. Everything feels well thought-out and meticulously assembled. "Labor of love" is invisibly stamped all over everything.
In the Maker Shed:
Arduino Controlled Servo Robot Kit
Our Price: $175.00
The Arduino Controlled Servo Robot Kit, also know as SERB, is a great open source project that includes everything you need to begin experimenting with robots and Arduino microcontrollers. Just assemble the precision laser-cut parts and you are off and running, no additional hardware is needed. It even comes with a demo program pre-loaded onto the Arduino.
The SERB has a built in breadboard that sits on the top of the robot. This allows for easy access for additional sensors and electronics. It couldn't be easier to prototype on the fly with this amazing robot.
More:
How-to: Get 30 robot kits to market
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Feb 6, 2009 01:43 PM
Robotics |
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February 4, 2009
Big Bro: Arduino controlled robot
This is just the beginning of a much more powerful and intelligent robot. The R/C car is powered by an Arduino and a custom made motor controller. This looks like a really good platform for further development. It has power, speed and plenty of room for more electronics.
For now it´s just remote controlled, soon it will have some intelligence. I will try to add microphones and use them as sound sensors. If I add for example 4 microphones, one on each side of the bot I could detect where does the sound comes from and make it move in that direction, then a couple of distance sensors to avoid obstacles.
It has a very unusual steering system that seems to be actuated by a servo mounted to the rear axle. This controls the lean of the entire car and allows it to steer.
More about the Big Bro [letsmakerobots]
In the Maker Shed:
MotorShield for Arduino Kit
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Feb 4, 2009 03:00 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Robotics |
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January 29, 2009
Robot that reassembles itself after being kicked
Amazing shape-shifter robotic system being developed at University of Pennsylvania that can locate its subsystem clusters and reassemble itself after being kicked or otherwise disrupted.
Shape-shifting robots take form [via Boing Boing]
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 29, 2009 03:25 PM
Robotics |
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Rapid prototyped stingray
I recently met Greg Marra at ROFLthing. He is doing awesome work at Olin College. I found this sweet video of a stingray automaton that he and his team made in a rapid prototyping class. I asked him some questions about how it works, he got back to me and brought me up to date on the project.
Check out the post for more videos and details...
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 29, 2009 08:59 AM
Arts, Robotics, Science |
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Ball Pendulum
eklux writes -
This video shows a self oscillating ball pendulum, that feeds a ten counter balance. If I've had enough time, Meccano and balls, the idea was to built a complete clock, with a set of sequential balances, that together would display the current time. Also, it would have been nice to fall a sleep at night to the gentle sound of a ticking ballclock.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 29, 2009 12:05 AM
Made On Earth, Robotics |
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January 27, 2009
How-to Tuesday: Getting started with the 3pi
This week I am going to show you how to get up and running with the 3pi by Pololu. I will be going through all the steps needed to upload the line following program that is included from Pololu. Getting started with the 3pi isn't too difficult, but there are a few applications and drivers that need to be installed.
Note: In this tutorial I will be using a PC running Vista. You can program the 3pi on a Mac running OSX or Linux, but it's a different procedure. You can even program the 3pi through the Arduino IDE!
What you need:
- Pololu 3pi Robot - Available in the Maker Shed
- Orangutan USB Programmer - Available in the Maker Shed
- USB A to Mini-B cable - Available at most electronics stores
- (4) AAA batteries
- Electrical tape
- Computer running Vista or XP
- 3pi Expansion Kit with Cutouts - Available in the Maker Shed
- 3pi Expansion Kit without Cutout - Available in the Maker Shed
Part 1: Setting up the 3pi
Unpack and add the 4 AAA batteries. You need to remove the LCD to insert (2) of the (4) batteries. Just carefully lift it up and it will come off easily.
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Jan 27, 2009 08:14 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, MAKE Podcast, Robotics, Something I want to learn to do... |
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January 26, 2009
Autonomous snow shovel robot
This is the i-Shovel, a prototype of an autonomous snow shovel. It is meant to be left outside, waiting for snowfall. When it detects one inch of snow, it goes to work shoveling the driveway. I would have loved this as a kid!
Follow the link for more info.
Posted by John Park |
Jan 26, 2009 05:00 PM
Robotics |
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January 23, 2009
Duet with a Robotic Drummer
Gil Weinberg is having trouble with his drummer he's trying to get both of Haile's arms to work at the same time. That would be an unusual problem, except for the fact that Haile is a robot. Haile's microprocessor-controlled, motorized arms are able to play ordinary acoustic drums, with expressive control over timbre and dynamics. But while the movements of its anthropomorphic, wooden body are impressive, Haile's listening ability is as important as its playing. Using custom computer software developed in the Max/MSP multimedia environment. Haile can analyze the performance of a human drummer and respond in real-time "We've tried to create a new musical experience- to surprise you," says Weinberg. Haile's responses range from simple imitation to variation and even intelligent accompaniment. The results vary: sometimes, the algorithms simply don't work, or don't work in a way that makes sense to human ears. But Weinberg, who was a jazz pianist for years before he became interested in computers, is most excited by the moments at which Haile feels like an equal musical partner, and plays in ways no human would.
"I've played with people for years," says Weinberg, "But especially when you're in a particular genre, you know what to expect Here, we are in uncharted territory" While Haile's human-robot communication skills continue to evolve, it's also getting a chance to facilitate human-human communications. Next, Haile travels to Jerusalem to play on a program featuring collaborations between Jewish and Arabic percussionists. The composition is called Jam'aa, or "gathering" in Arabic. Drawing on the communal tradition of Middle Eastern music. Haile will interact with professional darbukah and djumbe players, transforming what they play. At least, once the remaining technical bugs get solved "Talk to me Monday," says Weinberg; by then, he hopes Haile will be able to play with both arms.
Robotic Drummer: makezine.com/go/robotdrum
From the column Made on Earth - MAKE 6, page 25 - Peter Kirn.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 23, 2009 09:00 AM
Made On Earth, Music, Robotics |
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January 22, 2009
Roomba's roots
By way of BotJunkie comes this robot vacuum, the Dustbot, sold by Tomy in 1985. I'd never even heard of it. The broom and dustpan is not, apparently, how it does its job. That's just for a little light entertainment while it attempts a little light vacuuming.
Tomy Vacuuming Dustbot Had Edge Sensors In 1985
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 22, 2009 02:10 PM
Robotics |
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LARS: Light autonomous robotic scout
LARS is a really nice project for several reasons. First, it's a robot powered by an Arduino with lots of sensors. Second, it's being build by a father and his son. I can't think of a better thing to do with your kids than teach them a new skill that can use for the rest of their lives.
We had another test run for LARS. Now that we have the basics down, we plan to start adding to it. The next addition we are going to add is an on-board wireless camera. This will allow LARS to roam around and send the video signal back to our TV.
More about LARS: Light autonomous robotic scout [Let's Make Robots]
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Jan 22, 2009 01:00 AM
Arduino, DIY Projects, Electronics, Kids, Robotics |
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January 21, 2009
Making an IR object tracking system
Here is OddBot's next attempt at making a low cost DIY IR tracking system. I really like how he shares his successes and failures during the entire build process. This is a great resource for learning about IR LEDs.
My newest array, with navy blue IR LEDs works better as I've gone back to a single phototransistor for the sensor instead of two in parallel. The idea is that fewer lenses are better. The domed end of a LED or a phototransistor is a lens that focuses the light sent or received. The IR LEDs I'm using have a viewing angle of about 30 degrees. Check you datasheet of both LEDs and phototransistor as it can vary.
More about Making an IR object tracking system
More:
Make your own IR obstacle detection sensor
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Jan 21, 2009 01:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Robotics |
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January 19, 2009
Go-Robo software for WowWee Robots
Q4 Technologies, Ltd is a UK company that makes a line of software to control the WowWee toy/hobby robots. Anyone who's spent any time using a WowWee controller to remote-control or script program routines for their bot knows how tedious, and limiting, this method can be. Go-Robo Studio works with most of the WowWee Robotics line, some with more control options than others, and sells for GBP60 (about $87). Go-Robo Choreography is for creating dance routines for Femisapien (about $58), and Dawg Trainer is for programming Wrex the Dawg ($58). The programs are all Windows-compatible only.
See also Robodance (which is free)
More:
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 19, 2009 01:00 PM
Kids, Robotics, Toys and Games |
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Chinese farmer's walking creations
National Geographic interviews Wu Yulu, a chinese farmer obsessed with building walking machines. Wu was ridiculed for a long time because of his mechanical creativity, but recently has gained recognition for his self-taught skills after being named China's most innovative farmer. Over the years he's managed to construct some pretty awesome automatons from salvaged materials. Check out the video to see his bots in action - Rickshaw robot made by farmer [Thanks, Will!]
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Jan 19, 2009 04:00 AM
Makers, Robotics |
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January 16, 2009
Push-up robot with no arms
This may be the most disturbing robot video I've seen this year. Got a better one? Post it in the comments. Via Buzzfeed.
Posted by Becky Stern |
Jan 16, 2009 12:00 PM
Robotics |
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January 15, 2009
BeagleBot - a Beagle Board robotics project
Congratulations to Antti Seppänen, whose Beagle Board-based robot is the winner of the first Beagle Board design contest.
What's more, Antti also created a very cool expansion board for the Beagle Board, and made the design available under a CC license:
My Beagle bot required building an expansion board. Some requirements for expansion board:
- Wide input voltage range up to at least +15 volts
- +5 volts stable and reliable power supply for Beagle Board and for USB hub
- Level shifters and pin headers for +5 volt tolerant I2C, SPI and some GPIOs
- 5 pcs of 50 Hz PWM output for normal RC servos
- RS232 header, preferably two
- Open-drain outputs for various peripherals
- Control of servos and open-drain outputs from Beagle via I2C
The expansion board is going to be a big help for Beagle Board hackers, as it solves a lot of issues (power, level shifting, etc)!
Beaglebot, an experimental robotics project based on Beagle Board
Posted by Brian Jepson |
Jan 15, 2009 08:00 AM
Electronics, Robotics |
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January 14, 2009
Next Dorkbot DC, Tuesday Jan 27, 2009
Next Meeting:
27 January 2009
7 PM - 9 PM (ET)
ALWAYS FREE!
Location:
Smith Hall of Art, Room 114
George Washington University
801 22nd St NW
Washington, DC 20037
Schedule for the meeting:
James Mallos : BEAMbots and Wrapping Paper
Sculptor James Mallos will talk about two interactive sculptures exhibited at the FLIK Film Festival last summer, "Blow," a BEAMbot that subsists on gallery illumination, and "Today Now," a live video application programmed in Processing and Automator that lets gallery visitors create original repeating patterns from their own appearance and donate them to the public domain. Of interest to BEAMbot fans is the use in "Blow" of a thread tourniquet, a simple mechanical stratagem that turns a pager motor into a muscle-like actuator, and the use of a curvigami paper carapace instead of skeletal mechanism. A new convert to Processing, Mallos will try to impart his enthusiasm for the programming language that has been embraced by artists around the world. He will also try to justify his obsession with the p6 symmetry group.
James Mallos is a sculptor and toy designer. Educated as an engineer, he has been in and out of programming episodically, becoming in the process a combination old fossil and newbie. He introduced his construction toy TWOGS at the Austin Maker Faire 2007, and way of making baskets by computer at Bay Area Maker Faire 2008.
More Info at Dorkbot DC
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 14, 2009 03:00 PM
Announcements, Events, Makers, Robotics |
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January 13, 2009
New machine art website...
...called, handily enough, Art Machines. Looks promising. Nice list of mechanized performance art groups and machine artists on the rail.
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 13, 2009 02:19 PM
Arts, Makers, Robotics |
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Open source manufacturing primer
The fine folks at Oomlout, makers of several seriously sweet robot kits, have put together an Instructable on how they go through the process of fulfilling their kit orders, in this case, a 30-kit lot. The idea is to show you all that's involved in running your own cottage factory, by way of example.
You will find everything you need to get up and making your own SERB's in semi-industrial volumes, ideally you won't decide to. The real purpose of this Instructable is to act as a repository for our methods, jigs, and tricks, and to help anyone looking into producing similar style kits (or simply for those who like to see how a product is made).
Updates to come
This will be an evolving Instructable, to be updated with new tricks as and when we come up with them. Hopefully, slowly changing from the small tabletop factory we now operate towards something much grander.
I had the pleasure of putting together a SERB kit over the Christmas holiday and I'll be posting a full review of the build later this week.
Open Manufacturing - (How to Build 30 (SERB) Kits)
More:
Posted by Gareth Branwyn |
Jan 13, 2009 12:00 PM
Arduino, Instructables, Robotics |
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