Helios Telepresence Robot
Each of the MAKE editors has a beat assigned for the upcoming World Maker Faire (Sept 29 & 30). Mine is robotics. I’m looking forward to seeing the Helios and talking to Tianlong and Xinyi about their bot.
Technology
Maker Faire New York: Interactive Severed Hand Plush Toy
Severed Hand Bop-It is an Arduin- controlled plush toy with morbidity to spare!
Efficient Biohybrid Solar Cells with Spinach
A group from Vanderbilt University, lead by Professor David Cliffel, claims that a protein found in spinach, called PS1, when combined with silicon found in solar panels to form a biohybrid cell, end up being 2.5 times more efficient then cells lacking the protein.
Turning A Cheap Optical Mouse Into A Robot Odometer
John Graham-Cumming (JGC), author of The Geek Atlas, wrote in to let us know about a fun conversion he did with a cheap optical mouse: For a small robot project I’m working on I needed a way to measure the robot’s progress across the floor. There are various possibilities, such as: use stepper motors (expensive […]
Netduino Go! Data Acquisition Module
Our Data Acquisition module (DAQ for short) is designed for Netduino Go! users looking for a simple, cost-effective platform for integrating analog and digital I/Os, off-the-shelf I2C sensors, time tracking, SDHC storage (up to 16GB) and serial communications to their projects. When we set out to design the DAQ module 5 months ago, we put […]
Monster K’nex Ball Machine Packs 40K Parts
Amazing. This is Clockwork, my fifth major K’nex ball machine, and my largest and most complex K’nex structure to date. It took 8 months to build, has over 40,000 pieces, over 450 feet of track, 21 different paths, 8 motors, 5 lifts, and a one-of-a-kind computer-controlled crane, as well as two computer-controlled illuminated K’nex balls. […]
Maker Faire New York: GUS Robotics Interview
Over 400 makers, with ages ranging from young to seasoned, are gearing up to share their hard work and innovative projects with the community. Among them is GUS Robotics Team 228, who are bringing their prized basketball-playing GUS 14 robot. We caught up with team captain Dave Powers to hear more about GUS 14 and the team of brilliant young makers who made it.