Mindstorms Cake Cutting Robot
This creation, by Bart and Stef, repurposes a can lid to cut cakes. You can select as many slices as you want and the NXT brick computes the angles.
Robotics
Making a robot can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s the perfect combination of creativity, engineering and problem solving. However, if you’re just getting started in robotics, it can also be overwhelming. To make things easier for those who are just starting out, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to help makers bring robots to life! From the basics of assembling your robot to software implementation, these pointers will give you everything you need to get started on your robotic adventure!
Meet the Makers from MAKE Volume 27: Frits Lyneborg
Frits Lyneborg is co-host of MAKE’s video series, The Latest in Hobby Robotics and runs Let’s Make Robots! the largest online community of its kind, which he started in 2008 as a forum for robot electronics, programming, and funny ideas and inspiration.
NASA’s Smartphone-Powered SPHERES Robots
NASA recently upgraded their Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) with Nexus S smartphones running Android. The upgrade add the intelligence and hardware needed for units to become remotely operated robots.
Android Powered Robot Tank
The smartphones NASA uses on missions to conduct experiments are the same smartphones that can be used to control your next hobby robotics project. Android robotics enthusiast, Tamlyn, used a IOIO board and a reclaimed RC tank chassis to create this Android powered robot tank.
Versatile Lasercut Turtle Robot Platform
Doug Fennell of Horn Lake, Mississippi, just sent us a link to this good-looking two-wheeled coasterbot-style “puck” ‘bot chassis he designed to be laser-cut from 4mm acryli
One-Motor, All-Mechanical Obstacle Avoidance
OK, obstacle “reflectance” might be a better term, since this Lego Automatic Synchro Drive from YouTuber xyzzzach bounces off of obstacles, rather than actually avoiding them. But its design is so clever it deserves a bit of nomenclatural slack, IMHO.
Garden Avenger Lets You Pull Weeds From Inside
David Dorhout of Ames, IA, wrote in with his very cool robot, Nuntius the Garden Avenger. Love the controller! A couple of years ago I first saw one of those self contained game systems that consist of just the joystick and the AV wires that you plug into your TV. I was simply amazed at […]