The 4th annual Maker Faire UK, the largest gathering of makers in Europe, is coming right up on April 27 and 28 at the Centre for Life in Newcastle. Among the diverse and interesting makers in the lineup are robots of all persuasions. Pictured above is Paka and his fire horse (photo by Michael Eyes). Word on the street is that Paka is also bringing his magical dragon this year. Here are some other bots you can expect to meet at Maker Faire UK this year.
Andy Noyes’ ever-crafty Roboknit is a life-sized humanoid knitting robot who uses a knitting loom to knit hats, scarves, and other items. She took a year to build and is made from commonly available parts including electric motors recycled from printers and CD drives.
A member of the guerilla art group The Mutoid Waste Company, artist Giles Walker created these two robotic pole dancers and a DJ for his piece titled Peepshow. The dancers’ CCTV heads help convey the artist’s message, ” We are all living in a peepshow now, constantly watched by these mechanical peeping Toms on every street corner.”
Jason Bradbury, the host of Channel 5’s The Gadget Show will be there in robotic form, as RoboJase, made by Robo Challenge, who will also be hosting an “arrive and drive” arena, where you can take control of their mini robots and wage mechanical war with friends and family.
Norway-based maker Miguel Valenzuela‘s adorable daughters Lily and Maia inspired him to make the Lego Pancake Bot, changing breakfast time in their household forever. Last year, Miguel made the trek to bring his Pancake Bot to Maker Faire New York (read our interview) and this year it’ll be at Maker Faire UK. The Pancake Bot has been used in an after-school programs in Norway to teach kids about building with LEGO and programming.
Are you a UK maker who wants to spread the joy of making and lend a hand? Maker Faire UK is currently looking for volunteers, or as they put it: “solderers, paint-splatterers, and smilers needed.” Head to the site to learn more and apply. The deadline for applications is April 13.
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