| Website of the Week Archive |
:: September 22nd - October 15th ::
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Art for art's sake?...
A 2004 robot talent show was held last weekend in Harlem, New York. It featured the work of more than 20 artists from around thw world showing off their mechanical contraptions in the name of "ART". This is the place where those wacky people who love to hack together a crazy contraption without worry of practical application go to let off steam and entertain. It's always a good time and fun to look at the line up of talent at the third annual...
Artbots Highlights:
- Artbots 2004 Participants
- Artbots at Art Expo
- Artbots 2003
- Artbots 2002
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:: September 8th - September 21st ::
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Anyone up for a game of Foosball?...
Check out what some robot scientists in Freiburg Germany have cooked up. It's a robot foosball table! Guess what's on my wish list for x-mas...
KiRO Highlights:
- New Scientist Article
- KiRO PDF
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:: July 8th - July 15th ::
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This week we take a look at deformable soft body robots from Japan..
What goes down stairs alone or in pairs, runs over your neighbors dog? We'll er...it could be a soft robot from Ritsumeikan University. Check out their...
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:: July 1st - July 7th ::
:: June 17th - June 23rd ::
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This week we feature one of my science personalities.
I've been a fan of James Burke since his Connections series first started airing on PBS in the early 80's. His shows were one of the few reasons I would stop to watch television. After all these years they're still genius. Come on you know you want to see how the invention of the sail influenced nuclear weapons. Check out his latest project...
For more info on James Burke check out these excellent sites:
- Palmer's James Burke Fan Companion
- Hear him @ Voices from the Smithsonian
- Connections @ Scientific America
Pick up the book of the video:
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:: April 22nd - April 28th ::
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The story of the Golem is an old one that takes place in Prague, Czechoslovakia. This week we look at a project that uses the story as its inspiration...
Students at Brandeis University are working on a project where separate electro-mechanical systems evolve into systems that form their own robotic life forms. To make it even more interesting, these systems are entirely evaluated ,designed, redesigned and fabricated by robotic systems. Check out...
Other Golem info:
- Evolution Scrapbook
- Fabrication Technique
Golem Project in the Media
- NPR (audio)
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:: April 8th - April 14th ::
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Just in case you've felt like you've done it all...
This week we feature a builder who has gone where no person has gone before with LEGO. I mean come on now...a retina scanner!? Check out...
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:: April 1st - April 7th ::
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"March Madness" in the student robotics world means it's time for the competitions to begin.
This week the Silicon Valley Regional FIRST competition is held at San Jose State University. High School students from the surrounding area will come together to pit their robots against others in this year's challenge - “FIRST FRENZY: Raising the Bar”". Check out...
Find a regional competition near you:
- Regional Event Information
Other FIRST Resources:
- Competition Details
- Can't make it? Watch the simulcast.
Watch the kick of videos:
- Low-Res (2 MB)
- High-Res (13MB)
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:: March 17th - March 23rd ::
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This week we examine the convergance point between robot and human.
Students at U.C. Berkeley are hard at work examining how robotics can be used to assist humans. Picture a strap-on robot that allows you to lift and carry several hundred pounds of heavy equipment for hours on end. Besides the obvious military applications this type of assistive technology might be used to someday allow people who have lost the use of their legs to walk again. Check out the Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton, better know as...
Have a look at these other exoskeleton projects:
- Extended Body and Walking Machine
- The Spring Walker
- University of Washington - BioRobotics Lab
- ARTHROPODS - Secrets of Exoskeleton
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:: March 10th - March 16th ::
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This week marks the first attempt at Darpa's Grand Challenge.
Since it was announced a year and a half ago teams of engineers in garages, universities and industry have been working frenetically to build an autonomous robot vehicle that can make the trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The prize you ask? $1,000,000 and bragging rights (not to mention a little contract from Darpa). It all kicks off this weekend with over 25 teams competing. Time to get out and drive along...
Check out some of the teams and their vehicles:
- GhostRider - Cal Berkeley
- Road Warrior - Palos Verde High School
- Sandstorm - Carnegie Mellon
- Team CalTech
**Click here for a complete list of teams**
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:: March 3rd - March 9th ::
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Look what's waddling into a store near you soon...
Over the last few year's Mark Tilden has brought us BEAM robotics and the B.I.O. Bug. His latest creation is even more remarkable, a biped robot, capable of 84 program steps, has reflexes and can whip out the kung fu on you. The best part is it will sell for under $100! Brush up on your "international caveman" and meet your new buddy...
Videos of Mark Tilden and RoboSapien on Solarbotics:
- Gallery One
- Gallery Two
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:: February 5th - 11th ::
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This week we feature Kevin Clague and his creations.
Kevin has contributed enormously to the LEGO community and is the creator of all kinds of cool contraptions to get you thinking. Check out...
Some of my favorites from Kevin's collection:
- PneumADDic II
- Inchworm
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:: January 29st - February 4th ::
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This week we take a break from Mars and are back to LEGO.
Ben has created some amazing creations. Check out...
Some of my favorites from Ben's collection:
- The Fetchbot
- Plotter
- VCR
- Clock
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