Robot Magazine has some details about a pretty cool sounding combat robot event – “Battle Beach, LLC, in partnership with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, is pleased to announce that their next robot combat event, Battle Beach 4, will be held in Summer 2006. This is the Robot Fighting League’s (RFL) Southeast Championships and an RFL […]
Matt writes “Is .mac worth it to me? Many of the reasons I do not find .mac useful are the same reasons I encourage others to use it. My needs are different than the average computer user. This is not an “I hate .mac” article but rather an explanation of the motivation and methods I […]
Here’s a how to on making an optical encoder that can be used for an autonomous robot – Piotr writes – “An optical encoder measures how far something has moved, optically. It does this by looking at a pattern of alternating black-and-white, and counting number of transitions…” Link.
For $79, this might be useful for all sorts of fun projects – “The Telespy Motion Detector Telephone Alarm, a standard telephone features a built-in PIR motion sensor. If an intruder is detected within a 30 ft. range, TeleSpy calls a preset telephone number and allows you to listen in to the premises. Great for […]
Here’s an iPod case made from an old book. I’m not sure I could cut up a book, but it might make a clever gift, more so if you load up the iPod with the audio book version of the book. Link.
Article on New Scientist and video of electric jellyfish from the clouds – “Mysterious flashes of light called “sprites”, that occur above thunderclouds during powerful storms, have been captured on film in unprecedented detail by researchers using an ultra-high-speed camera.” [via] Link.
Gizmodo & i4U have posts about a $35k book scanner, it seems really neat and eventually they will come down in price – but I have an old collection of out of print books I want to scan in (now). I’m guessing I’m not alone, so we’ll likely see a few DIY versions sprouting up […]
