Roboweek Day Three - Self Replicating Printers

RoboTechEd’s third #robotofnote for Roboweek isn’t a stereotypical robot. It doesn't walk, talk, or really have much user feedback. But what it lacks it makes up with it's ability to create. Makerbot is a stationary robot that is completely open platform, and arduino controlled - pretty sweet if you need a 3D printer (you guessed it, Makerbot is a 3D printer). A Makerbot kit costs a small price of $1,300 but is way cheaper than a commercial 3D printer. And the best part is that once you have one, the Makerbot can self replicate!

Also available online is a huge amount of CAD files that are known to work on the Makerbot, from coffee mugs, to nuts and bolts. The Makerbot is able to make these things by melting plastic into the desired shape - anything up to 4”x4”x6”. To find out more on the Makerbot, click HERE and make sure to check out the video below to see it in action. And if anyone makes or buys one of these let me know, selling copies of the original may be somewhat fruitful (no...for real, a self replicating 3D printer is pretty sweet)!

Are you celebrating Roboweek? If you're making something cool, would you use a Makerbot to help?less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd

Are you celebrating #roboweek? What are you doing to celebrate? A good idea would be to download the RoboTechEd Chrome App! Check it out, and tweet @roboteched or @roboweek with any #robotofnote!

Roboweek Day Two - Technological Overkill

I’m not sure if you’re subscribed to Robot Magazine (if you’re not, you should be), but if so then you’ll recognize our second Roboweek #robotofnote - DARwIn OP. The OP in this little humanoids name stands for Open Platform, meaning everything about him is available to the public. The code, the parts, and even instructions on how to make one yourself. So if you have tens of thousands of dollars of machinery, you can make a lil’Darwin yourself...Although I doubt most people have the tools/materials to do so.

What makes Darwin so amazing though is the amount of technology packed into such a little bot. He has multiple speakers, mics, an HD camera, built in wi-fi, a mini SD card slot, a 3 axis accelerometer, an ethernet port, 2 USB ports, HDMI out, and many more ridiculous features (I think that list is sufficiently jaw-dropping). The only thing that Darwin is missing are lasers - but I think everything currently crammed in there is sufficient for a little humanoid that stands just under a foot and a half tall. Darwin was made at Virginia Tech, and according to the video below, the project started in 2004, and has had many versions until their success (maybe my school should start something soon, so that by the time i graduate I’ll have a cool little robot to play with). To find out more information about Darwin-OP click HERE.

Which robot is better? DARwIn-OP or NAO?less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd

Are you celebrating #roboweek? What are you doing to celebrate? A good idea would be to download the RoboTechEd Chrome App! Check it out, and tweet @roboteched or @roboweek with any #robotofnote!

Roboweek Day One - Robotic Teamwork

Roboweek is here! A robot’s equivalent to Hanukkah (or something along those lines). And that means I have the first robot for RoboTechEd’s roboweek celebration! These robots were made at the Institute for Dynamic Systems and Control in Switzerland. They have been featured on tons of other technology blogs, and even on the news. Pretty sweet for two robots with one of the simplest concepts ever - playing catch. Yeah, you remember playing catch in the backyard with dad? Seemed like a thing that epitomized life, something that separated you from your computer...Until Now.

These two robots in the video below do exactly what you think but better, they fly. Pretty crazy right? While watching the video you see that they sometimes loose control of the ball, which is bound to happen when your already flying and trying to hit the ball up. But what I really think is cool about these two is that you often don’t see robotic teamwork. Multiple bots speaking to each-other to complete a task isn’t a new idea, but implementing it successfully is pretty rare. Overall I give these robots two thumbs up for their awesome teamwork and simple nature. Happy Roboweek guys, keep up the teamwork!

Happy #roboweek day one! Do you know any robots worth celebrating? Tweet me any #robotofnoteless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd

Are you celebrating #roboweek? What are you doing to celebrate? A good idea would be to download the RoboTechEd Chrome App! Check it out, and tweet @roboteched or @roboweek with any #robotofnote!

Roboweek is Here! Are You Ready?

Today’s pretty exciting, for a few reasons. First of all, the second annual #Roboweek starts TOMORROW. And no, I’m not messing with you. National Robotics Week is a real event (nationalroboticsweek.org), and is a week long of celebrating...well you know...robots! I don’t know about you, but I plan on celebrating all week by the only way I know how - blogging! Everyday throughout #roboweek I will be posting solely about robots, so make sure to check back here daily! To find out about local #roboweek events, follow @roboweek and tweet all of your traditions and news to them using the #roboweek hashtag. Robots everywhere are begging you! They need a week of appreciation (you would too if you worked over 100 hours a week)!

The second big announcement is that I have developed a Chrome app for RoboTechEd! That’s right, you can now get easy access to your favorite indie blog! Click HERE to download it, and don’t forget to rate it! Feel free to give any help and suggestions by tweeting @Roboteched or emailing me HERE. It only takes 5 seconds, and will guarantee you never miss a #Roboweek post!

Are you ready for #Roboweek? What do you have planned?less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyTaylor Niver
RoboTechEd