Month: March 2010

1984 hexapod weighed 300 lbs, could lift more than 1 ton

Odex 1, from Odetics, Inc. ; is a six-legged walking robot that weighed only 300 pounds. Its onboard computer could be operated remotely and the robot moved under its own power. It is capable of reconfiguring its shape to be tall and slender or short and squat, and able to walk in either configuration or anywhere between the two. Each leg is able to lift 400 lbs, the “legs” are versatile enough to be used as manipulators as well. Odex is capable of lifting over 2,100 lbs vertically, or carrying over 900 lbs. at normal walking speed. To display Odex 1 agility, engineers commanded the robot to walk to a truck, get on the truck, and then get off and actually move the truck.

How-To: Advanced Truffle-Making

Instructables user Mongpoovian shows us how to make slabbed ganache truffles: Slabbed ganache is exactly what it sounds like – ganache, set into a slab. It’s an easy way to make truffles that contain multiple types and flavors of filling together to produce a most interesting chocolate-consuming experience. In this instructable, I’ll be showing you […]

In the Maker Shed: Go wireless with XBee!

In the Maker Shed: Go wireless with XBee!

Making you next project go wireless isn’t as difficult as you might think. By using the XBee and XBee Adaptor kit from the Maker Shed, you eliminate a lot of the difficultly in creating a wireless network. The XBee 802.15.4 protocol 1mW wireless module is a great solution for point-to-point, and multipoint networking. Don’t forget to pick up the adapter too!