Steve Norris’s PatrolBot Mark II
This gorgeous robot patrols Steve Norris’s yard, and honks its horn and squirts water when it spots an intruder.
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!
3D Robotics Raises $5 Million in Funding
Last week Wired’s Chris Anderson announced he’s leaving the editor-in-chief post to become 3D Robotics’ full-time CEO. Today, Chris announced that his company secured $5 million in VC funding.
Chris Anderson to Leave Wired
Wired editor-in-chief Chris Anderson is stepping down to focus on his drone business, 3D Robotics.
Watch DARPA’s Pet-Proto Robot Navigate Obstacles
DARPA, in collaboration with Boston Dynamics, has created a variety of fascinating robots in the past, including one that can outrun Usain Bolt and another that has a surprisingly human-like gait. Here’s a short clip of DARPA’s Pet-Proto robot accomplishing autonomous decision making and navigation through three obstacles.
XinCheJian’s $10 Swarm Robots
Shanghai hackerspace XinCheJian won 2nd place in a competition to build $10 robots.
Hummingbird: “Pre-Arduino” for Kids
Arduino was conceived as an open source microcontroller for artists, designers, and others who aren’t necessarily techie/programmer types. Of course, all sorts of makers have flocked to this technology because of its versatility. But in spite of its relative ease of use, there’s still a barrier to entry for new users. Like kids. For that reason, BirdBrain Technologies’ Hummingbird looks promising. They call it “pre-Arduino.”
Propeller-Driven Theo Jansen Biped
This Theo Jansen robot model consists of a propeller driven Strandbeest biped.