CATEGORY: Robotics

My buddy Peter Wang made this path finding robot using a PIC16F876 chip. The interface is done with WinPic software uploaded via serial port. The robot detects obstacles in its path, moves towards them and then avoids them by going around them or by going in the opposite direction. It’s run by four AA batteries which power three motors and a 9V battery to power the chip. A motion sensor attached to a servo allows the sensor to scan both... Continue reading

Straight out of the cover of a Judas Priest album, this “thing” looks to be a steampunk steed from Hell. Dubbed “Lrry,” it’s a rideable motorcycle/robo-horse constructed by the Mutoid Waste Company in London. The best part about it is it’s 100% recycled. Biker gangs will be running for the hills. Linkvia]

We’ve seen robots controlled by all kinds of applications. From your standard remote control to innovative path finding methods, robots are sharing more and more traits with their creators. Take this latest bot based upon the LEGO NXT system. Using multiple webcams, software analyzes video of your pupils staring in a specific direction and then sends the robot in the same direction. Yes, this is a robot controlled by eye movement and private eyes. With this design, simple actions such... Continue reading

Straight out of Hell and right under your Christmas tree is this hotter than Hell KISS-themed I-Dog. Who rocks harder than KISS? That’s right: no one. The dog sports Gene Simmons’ Demon face paint, but also shows some love to Paul Stanley with stars for the Star Child. It plays back music via a built-in speaker and also puts on an electronic light show, all for just 30 bucks. If this dog was a real supporter of KISS, it’d drop... Continue reading

What better way for a father and son to spend the Thanksgiving weekend together than to build a robot out of a tin can and an Arduino. As far as robots go, this little autonomous aluminum can seeks out light and moves in the direction of it. The creator cleverly refers to this as a “flashlight leash.” With an Arduino, a light sensor and a lower power DC motor, making your own light-seeking robot shouldn’t be too difficult of a... Continue reading

I found this photo on Phillip Torrone’s Flickr page. Looks like he got a minute away from MAKE to check out some robots or something. Very cool.

Found on Flickr user Andi Butler’s page, I like the look of these Star Wars cupcakes due to their aged and rustic design. Instead of happy Yoda with happy colors, we get sort of a dystopian, Warhol-styled set of characters on top of delicious-looking cupcakes. No seriously, these cupcakes look really tasty. Hit the jump to see the cast of characters I’m referring to, as well as a link to the rest of Andi’s Flickr shots. Reminds me of the... Continue reading

Listen, dude. Forget everything you heard about the iPhone. Forget the apps, forget the voice recognition calling, forget everything because all of its capabilities and features have just been outdone. A Japanese software engineer named Kazu Terasaki has given his iPhone the ability to walk. Yes, he’s turned his iPhone into a kick ass robot that takes baby steps. Because Kazu is such a nice guy, you too can turn your gadgets into a mobile robot with Kazu’s dev kit.... Continue reading

This is just hilarious. Even more so than the World Of Warcraft treadmill race across Azeroth. It’s a human-powered mobile treadmill by Alex Astilean. Technically the equivalent of a large hamster wheel for humans, this mobile treadmill will have everyone in the park giving you funny looks. Just be careful not to hit anyone. With the momentum this thing could potentially build up, who knows what kind of damage it could do? Link

The Phoenix Mars Lander has given NASA and scientists an unimaginable amount of information. It discovered both water and snow on Mars and has helped paved the way for exploring for life in outer space. But all good things must come to an end and after a Martian dust storm, combined with the harsh winter conditions on the surface of the planet, the time has come for the Phoenix to shut down and die. NASA has declared the mission officially... Continue reading