| Website of the Week Archive |
:: December 14th - December 20th ::
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This week we feature an odd innovation in rover technology.
We love it when NASA thinks out of the box. Check out...
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:: November 23rd - November 29th ::
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This is what I get when I put Thanksgiving +robots into google...
...Don't ask me why I did it. Slow news week? Maybe it's that early morning brain fog I have before my first cup of coffee? I felt it too weird to pass up making the site of the week. So before I come to my senses and change my mind go checkout...
Be Festive and Happy Holidays!
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:: November 16th - November 22nd ::
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There's a new magazine in town just for us mechanically fixated types.
Checkout...
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:: November 9th - November 15th ::
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We have a great resource this week for those of you that sometimes want to build something but just aren't sure how to get started.
From the site:
“Build-It-Blocks is a library of reusable,functional building blocks and construction tips.
— Build complex, engaging projects quickly.
— Edit and perfect your solutions easily.
— Make your inventions reliable.
Build-It-Yourself is collaborating with the MIT Media Lab
to design and develop Build-It-Blocks.”
There's lots of great food for though in here, many of which use LEGO! Go get inspired...
Some of our favorites:
- Open Close
- WSquirt Gun
- Program Flow Chart
- RCX Computer Control
- Sling Shot
- Clock LEGO
- Sidewinder Gear Train
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:: October 19th - October 25th ::
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A humanoid LEGO robot project tops the list this week.
"Feelix is a humanoid robot built out of LEGO. Controlled by two Mindstorms™ RCX'es, it reacts to tactile stimulation by changing its facial expression. It is capable of displaying anger, sadness, happiness, fear, and surprise. It was built and programmed by Dolores Cañamero and Jakob Fredslund from Lego Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark." Meet...
More projects from the LEGO LAB at the University of Aarhus:
- The Jungle Cube
- A Steel Plant Production Line
- Small Car, Big Sound
- Inner Space Robots
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:: September 8th - September 20th ::
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Turn imagination into reality with a future in engineering.
"You'll have the power to make a difference! By becoming an engineer, you can help solve problems that are important to society. You could be controlling and preventing pollution, developing new medicines, creating advanced technologies, even exploring new worlds..."
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:: September 7th - September 13th ::
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Do you have a hankering to build something but don't know what to build?
Maybe someone else's creation could be an inspiration to you. Have a look into...
Looking for robot models in specific? They're listed here:
- Mindstorms
- Robotics
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:: August 31st - September 6th ::
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Always fashioned yourself a bit of a mechanical genius?
Test your skills at LEGO's new game...
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:: August 10th - August 17th ::
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This week's site is as pretty as it is useful!
There are a lot of LEGO related web sites out there but few are as weel put together as this one. My hat's off to...
BrickVista is being released in monthly installments. Check out last month's issue:
- BrickVista July '03
Other Mindstorm's related web periodicals:
- LEGO Mindstorms Monthly
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:: July 20th - July 26th ::
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Here's one from the MIT Fluid Dynamics Lab.
In their pursuit of mimicing biological movement on fluid surfaces the lab has produced..well...a....
Check out their other water bound creations:
- Robostrider
- 3-Link Swimmer
Read the CNN article for more information:
- 'Robosnail' reveals the wonders of goo
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:: June 22nd - June 28th ::
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Look at what their cooking up in the UK.
Check out this very informative group of "techlabs" on the BBC website. It's all under...
The Techlab modules cover everything from plastic injection molding to basic electric theory.
If you are interested in getting parts for the robots in the techlabs, and don't live in the UK, you can try the Robot Store.
- http://www.robotstore.com
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:: June 15th - June 21st ::
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It's vacation time and now that you have a little time on your hands you might be interested in this.
Check out...
This computer game is an "intelligent robot simulation" that allows you to program your virtual robot to compete in a series of challenges ranging from a simple race to an all out battle.
Download the demo:
- Mindrover Demo (Windows ONLY)
There is even an RCX Add-on Pack that lets you control your LEGO Robots with the Mindrover programming environment.
- MindRover RCX Add-on Pack
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:: June 1st - June 7th ::
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Ready to move beyond Robolab or RIS programming?
Give "C" a try...
or rather David Baum's Not Quite C.
With practical applications that extend far beyond the discipline or robotics "C" is a worthy language to learn.
Using an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) will help create a more intuitive programming experience.
I suggest using
Bricx Command Center (BricxCC)
For other IDE's including one for the Mac look here:
- IDEs
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:: May 26th - May 31st ::
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This week's site is a showcase of another master builder...
Philo is not only innovative, he is educational. Most of his projects include example code and CAD files.
Wrap your brain around...
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:: May 11th - May 25th ::
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This weeks feature is a piece of software that will keep you occupied for hours. This is what the author says about it...
"It's a skeletal animation workshop, with realistic physics.
It's like a virtual Erector set.
It's sort of like a box of Lego widgets.
It could be a really cheesy CAD program.
Mostly, it's something fun to play with.
You can use it to create robots that walk.
(if they fall down, you can call them kinetic sculptures.)"
It's all that and it's...
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:: May 4th - May 10th ::
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Here's a fun one...
Program your robot to complete the course, sound familar? Take a shot at...
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:: April 27th - May 3rd ::
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This week marks the beginning of the 1st Robocup American Open.
Their goal:
"By the year 2050, develop a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots that can win against the human world soccer champion team"...
Robocup consists of many games and leagues with different styles of play. Check out these other Robocup sites for all the details.
- Games List
- RobotCup
- Robocup Jr.
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:: April 20th - April 26th ::
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At some point in your robot learning you may wonder what's beyond LEGO.
There's no better place to start than...
Parallax makes a variety of easily programmable chips called basic stamps. They also make a number of robot kits. Check out some of these bots that use basic stamps. These robots come with great educational instructions that teach just about everything you need to know.
- The BOE Bot
- The Toddler - Biped Walking Robot
- Mini-Sumo
Educators Parallax has material for you too. Check out all the online resources for teachers.
- Stamps in Class
For a preview of their materials have a look here. Parallax is nice enough to post their curriculum online in .pdf format.
- Parallax Educational Curriculum
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:: April 13th - April 19th ::
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Mario Ferrari has written one of the best books on LEGO Mindstorms.
His thorough knowledge of LEGO and creativity really come through in...
Here are some of my favorites of his:
- Shrimp 2
- Golia II
- Tic-Tac-Toe Player
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:: April 6th - April 12th ::
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There's nothing like a good set of instructions to help you learn new building technique.
Rob Stehlik's site is full of inspiration. Feast your eyes on...
Rob has some pretty incredible robots. Be sure to have a look at his:
- Window Walker
- Crevasse Crosser
- Articulated 4X4 robot
and you're not going to believe this...
- Photocopier!!
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:: March 30th - April 5th ::
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Presented by the KISS Institute of Practical Robotics, this week marks the local crescendo to this year's Botball tournament.
Starting in February high school students have six weeks to get their team together to play a rousing game of...
This is a completely autonomous robot competition without human intervention. The game is played by moving ping-pong balls into a "scoring position". The robots are made from a combination of LEGO and other electronic components, including a Handy Board.
Botball Videos:
- 2003 Game Summary Video
- Botball Video Gallery
Want to know more?
- Botball overview
Botball is supported by NASA who has a really great robotics site:
- NASA's Robotics Education Project
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:: March 23rd - March 29th ::
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Not exactly a robot, but certainly an amazing piece of engineering..
Artist Theo Jansen designs these wind powered creations to walk. Feast your eyes on the...
Theo Jansen's creations were featured in a Popular Science news article:
- Beach Beasts
A few videos of his creations in action can be viewed here:
- strandbeest videos
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:: March 16th - March 22nd ::
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There's not much to say about this team's project but WOW!.
Check out Kismet's LEGO cousin...
Kismet was a recently featured site:
- Kismet
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:: Jan. 19th - Jan. 25th ::
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Have you heard of the Segway?
Have a look at this LEGO knockoff...
Steve's Legway
Check out the movies of the Legway in action:
- Following a line
- Spinning in place
Steve's Legway achieves it's sense of balance through some clever programming and the use of some innovative Electro-Optical Proximity Sensors (EOPD). You can find the EOPD's and other cool LEGO sensors for sale at:
- HiTechnic LEGO RCX Sensors
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:: Jan. 1st - Jan. 11th ::
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They're mean, they're lean, and really tiny
Feast your eyes on the latest craze in fighting robots...
SozBots
Sometimes called Antweight fighting robots, these little gladiators are certainly a lot cheaper to build then their bigger cousins. Check out these other great fighting robot resources:
- RobotCombat.com
- IFI Robotics
- Team Delta
- Vantec
- Botparts.com
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