Technology

HOW TO – 16 Channel serial servo controller for robotics…

HOW TO – 16 Channel serial servo controller for robotics…

Pic3This article describes a servo motor controller that is able to control up to 16 hobby servo motors and its based on the AT90S4414 microcontroller (a member of Atmel’s AVR Family). This servo controller is ideal in cases of building small robotic arms (3 to 5 axes) or small walker mobile robots (quadrapods or hexapods). The servo controller receives position commands through a serial connection which can be provided by using one I/O pin of another microcontroller, or a PCs serial port! Link.

POV kit from our gift guide!

POV kit from our gift guide!

73678875 B85Cb18C19 MReven writes “Yesterday I received my minipov kit from adafruit industries (MiniPOV 2 kit) [from the MAKE gift guide]. I just love it. It is very easy to make. Clear instructions on the web with lots of great photos (I definitively need a tripod). It’s easy to program too and all the source code files have a lot of useful comments. Overall it’s a great gadget and the price is quite good. I did have to pay $6.60 for postage, though. At least adafruit does post overseas. I did some tricks in front of a mirror. Almost had more fun taking photos than building. I’ve even set up a flickr POV set. For your pleasure.” Link.

Microcontroller interface to the iPod

Microcontroller interface to the iPod

Blog Dec 21, 2005 0-35Image1-1Here’s the latest on the iPod breakout box, now you can control it, and poke at it…Panocamera writes – “The iPod breakout dock was the first step in creating a microcontroller interface to the iPod. The next step was to create a serial command protocol testing program so that I could send the iPod command sequences and watch the responses from the iPod in order to figure out a sequence to reliably control and command an iPod externally.” Link.

The DIY Multi-Level Desk…

The DIY Multi-Level Desk…

Pic00428Unsat_rbd writes “A few years ago I was unable to find a desk that fit all of my needs, so I built one using simple components from a local hardware store. The finished product was inexpensive, durable, and portable (I just moved for the 3rd time in as many years). The design was meant for 3 21″ CRT monitors, A/V equipment, rackmount computers, and a mini-fridge.” Link.

New LEGO MINDSTORMS!

New LEGO MINDSTORMS!

Lego Mindstorms News 2GoRobotics writes “LEGO is finally rehauling it’s Mindstorms kit. At the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January, LEGO Group announced LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT, a new system that redefines the consumer robotics category which the company created in 1998. Robot Magazine has pictures and video. Press release here. My summary is here. Link to Robot magazine. Best feature? Download programs via Bluetooth! UPDATE: Wired has a preview of their cover story for next month about this [via] here.