The Office Treadmill Desk
Posted by Rich | Filed under Editor News, Robot News, Technology
Ever since I saw the treadmill desk at Book of Joe, I have wanted to set my office up with a treadmill. In preparation for a big computer parts yard sale at my house, I decided after cleaning out my office that there was more than enough room to incorporate the treadmill. So here it is:
More pics after the jump.
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A Few Hours With The Lego Mindstorms NXT
Posted by Rich | Filed under Lego, Robot News, Rollers
My NXT arrived today so with the help of the kids, we build the first level robot and had some fun with programming. So far it is a better experience than my first hours with the original Mindstorms RCX (spent several hours on the phone with tech support). Building the first robot took about 20 minutes, including unwrap time with the help of twelve, five and four year old girls.
Click the picture for some quick pictures, including the new slimline turntables that I wish I could purchase in a 10 pack. More pictures will be posted to that gallery as we build through the different robots.
Of course, I shot a few simple videos:
LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Robotics Toolset
Posted by Rich | Filed under Lego, Robot News, Technology
The Lego NXT Robotics Toolset: 32-bit Processor, More Memory, USB Connectivity to the PC for programming, BlueTooth so your phone can control the robot, Bump Sensor, Light Sensor, Sound Sensor, and RangeFinder Sensor. This is the RCX upgrade we were hoping for…downside, not backward compatible (so what). You want more details? Check out the Lego Press Release and the Wired Cover Article.
Why Lego Lost Interest In Mindstorms
Posted by Rich | Filed under Lego, Robot News
A nice analysis of why Lego has seemingly lost interest in the Mindstorms line:
Lego launched the Lego Mindstorms line of programmable toy brick construction sets with a lot of fanfare back in the fall of 1998, but in recent years the company has lost all enthusiasm for the Mindstorms line. For several years now, Lego has not introduced any new Mindstorms sets, and the company has discontinued almost everything in the Mindstorms line apart from the core Robotics Invention System (RIS) set. Sadly, even the RIS is not faring lucky as it has not had an update since 2001. Lego seems to have relegated the Mindstorms line to niche status and frozen its development.
Lego Mindstorms, What Went Wrong
Robots Could Fuel The Hydrogen Economy
Posted by Rich | Filed under Robot News
We will need better fuel sources to build more robots who in turn will build more fuel cells…
Robots could reduce the cost of manufacturing fuel cells and help spur a hydrogen economy, says a team that aims to use them for such automation.
Sacred Heart Takes Their Robot To Auburn
Posted by Rich | Filed under Robot News, Technology
From the Commercial Appeal:
“Go BOMBER Go! Go BOMBER Go!”
Students of Sacred Heart School in Southaven, assembled in the school’s gymnasium Thursday, cheered BOMBER the Robot and the eighth-grade team that operates him.
Military Robots Numbers On The Rise
Posted by Rich | Filed under Robot News
The Boston University Photonics Department and iRobot Corp. have teamed up to produce a new mobile military robot designed to detect enemy snipers in the battlefield, which may be used by the United States in the Middle East.
Driving Mr. Thrun…
Posted by Rich | Filed under Robot News
At first, Sebastian Thrun didn’t feel quite comfortable behind the wheel of the modified Volkswagen Touareg R5 named Stanley. That’s understandable, because he wasn’t driving…
Five Robots Complete DARPA Desert Race
Posted by Rich | Filed under Robot News
Five robots have successfully navigated desert terrain to bring DARPA’s dream of autonomous military vehicles closer.
iRobot and The Future Of Cleaning
Posted by Rich | Filed under Robot News
iRobot will go down in my history as one of those companies I was too stupid to invest in.
