Littered with robots and Python code
Gizmag has an interesting article covering research being undertaken by Dr Erich Rome. The Multi-sensory Autonomous Cognitive Systems (MACS) project is aimed at giving intelligent agents environmental awareness through appearance-based recognition, instead of the traditional feature-based recognition.
As I confusingly noted in the heading, whilst a traditional recognition approach would search an environment for a chair, MACS would search that same environment for something to sit on - a chair, stool, couch etc. This approach is an affordances-based environmental understanding.
Gizmag's article, and its source, are certainly worth a read, especially for those interested in robot-environment interaction - beyond just not hitting anything!
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Well, maybe not Antarctica, but somewhere with a 0-50°C (32-122°F) temperature range?
Plat'Home from Japan has
just announced
the release (in North America) of their
OpenMicroServer
.
The OpenMicroServer has an AMD 400MHz processor, three network ports, 8-bit DIO, RS232, 2xUSB2.0 and a CF slot. More specifications available
here
.
Now, with the addition of a
usb-attached IO board
, this could form the basis for one hardy robot!
Let's just hope they ship to Australia.
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For anyone who has have not played with a microcontroller yet, here is your chance to try one out for a very decent price.
Popular Science has a article about the RBBB (Really Bare Bones Board) - the most minimal (to date) clone of the Arduino. This board fits the 16MHz Atmega168 and the most minimal of support components onto a PCB barely larger than the IC itself.
Ladyada has had a slightly more feature-filled equivalent available for a while, the Boarduino.
For more info on the Arduino, go here.
Oh, and there WILL be one included in my robot.
I just came across
this
very cool little robot, the
Swashbot
by
Crabfu
. This robot demonstrates an awesome sense of character from such a simple design. Its mechanics are primarily from an RC Helicopter, using 4 micro-servos and the RC receiver.
Crabfu's
site
has two fantastic videos of
Swashbot
in action, including the obligatory interaction-with-my-pet video. Although the walking pace is rather slow, the robot has a very smooth motion and as I said already, an amazing character.
Crabfu's
other creations include an amazing series of steam-powered walkers/crawlers/rollers (
here
) including the
Steam Spider
,
Steam Beetle
and
Steam Horseshoe Crab
.
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Segway's Robot Mobility Platform (RMP) has created quite a buzz since its unveiling at RoboBusiness, Pittsburgh.
The rather unique platform has the ability to move in any direction due to some very cool wheel units (pictured).
Its only drawback that I can see is the $50000 price tag!
For more information,
Robot Dreams
links to a fantastic video and info off
Make
.
Microsoft has released a preview of the follow-up to their Robotics Studio 2006 - Robotics Developer Studio 2006.
The preview version was announced at the RoboBusiness conference in Pittsburgh and can be downloaded here.
The 2008 version is quoted as having large performance improvements in inter-process communications, better handling of distributed-computing environments and improvements to their Visual Programming Language.
Surprisingly enough, I am downloading it at the moment and, after having a bit of a play with it, will do a write-up on any applications it may have in small/hobby robotics development.
news release
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Wired
has a nice gallery of interesting robots from the RoboBusiness conference in Pittsburgh.
I especially like the robot snake from Carnegie Mellon University - it is composed from completely modular sections (pictured) and, I imagine, could have applications from disaster recovery to covert operations.
Click
here
and
here
for more information on the snake bot.
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That should do it. The masthead is finished, and the background centers now, despite IE6's best efforts. As before, if it looks a little wonky on your browser, let me know.
Over time I intend to move the main color-scheme in line with the masthead, but until then, that is the last of the layout fiddling you should have to put up with :)
Pirkus
, Inc.
has just released a very funky looking robot, the
Chobi
Pirkus
R Type-02
.
The Type-02 is a small 8-
DOF
17cm tall biped robot. It also has a slightly simpler little brother, the Type II-02.
The size of the chassis, if it is as large as it looks, would almost make it a candidate for a PC/104 system strapped to the back.
With those eyes though, it looks like you'd have to buy two - one for your girlfriend!
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A robot from Cornell University has set a new distance record for a walking robot. The three-legged Cornell Ranger travelled a little over 9 km (5.6 miles) around the Barton Hall running track.
This was their second attempt to break the existing record, their previous attempt travelling a little over 1 km (0.62 miles).
The robot's gait took inspiration from humans, using the powered ankles to provide push off and a combination of momentum and gravity to move the legs. This made the robot extremely power efficient, helping it go the distance.
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