MAKE » Category: Robotics

Controlling 5 Servos With a Raspberry Pi

John Baichtal — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:46:49 +0000

Pierre Villeneuve attached five hobby servos to a Lego model, controlled with a motor control board board and a RasPi. This is a nice way of controlling a Lego robot without needing to use Lego’s robotics components! I initially tried to control my servos directly from the Raspberry Pi through […]

Read the full article on MAKE

BeatBots Continues Socially Conscious Innovation

Andrew Terranova — Sun, 19 May 2013 21:37:18 +0000

BeatBots has created the Gobug. Gobug is a mobile robotic toy planned for use in therapy sessions for autistic kids. Control requires communication and collaboration by multiple children. An additional controller used by a therapist allow him or her to step in if necessary.

Read the full article on MAKE

Ubiquity Robot Team’s “12 Tasks of Hercules”

TravisGood — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:56:36 +0000

Got a passion project and want to build a team around it? Start in your makerspace! Dr. David Crawley desperately wanted to hack robots and build a useful platform, not an inexpensive toy that couldn't do anything or a useful robot that few could afford. He wanted his to be inexpensive and capable. To pull this off he knew he needed passionate contributors with the right technical backgrounds so he joined Hacker Dojo.

Read the full article on MAKE

Maker Faire a Place for Innovators

Andrew Terranova — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:15:41 +0000

A host of hopeful startups will be in evidence today the Bay Area Maker Faire. The fair's list of sponsors includes a startup category. Maker Faire is a chance for many of these companies to show their products to an appreciative audience. The relationship goes deep; the companies were started by people who identify themselves as makers. Being part of Maker Faire is sort of like a family graduation day party. There is even a dedicated startup area at Maker Faire. Here is a sampling of small innovative startups have timed the release of significant news with Maker Faire.

Read the full article on MAKE

New Arduino Robot Available in the Maker Shed at Maker Faire

Marc de Vinck — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:02:28 +0000

This year Arduino is launching their robotics platform, and I was fortunate enough to get my hands on one a little early.

Read the full article on MAKE

3D Printers Available in the Maker Shed at Maker Faire

Marc de Vinck — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:23:58 +0000

It's no surprise that so many people get inspired at Maker Faire to join in on the 3D printing revolution. Fortunately for everyone at Maker Faire, you can head over to the Maker Shed and pick one up at the event.

Read the full article on MAKE

Lego Technic Artificial Arm

John Baichtal — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:00 +0000

Polish Lego builder piotrek839 built this sick robot arm that packs some pretty impressive functionality. It’s remote controlled and uses a whopping 12 Power Functions motors and linear actuators to do its thing. You can read about the project on LUGPol, though it’s in Polish. Filed under: Robotics

Read the full article on MAKE

Big Robot Makers at Maker Faire

Andrew Terranova — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:12:50 +0000

As someone who shares the hobby of making robots, I really have to look up to Dave Shinsel, who has come up with some truly impressive designs. His robots have appeared in Popular Mechanics and on the cover of Servo Magazine. He has also competed in RoboMagellan, a challenging contest that tests a robot's ability to navigate successfully.

Read the full article on MAKE

Arduino-Controlled $200 Robotic Hand

John Baichtal — Mon, 13 May 2013 19:30:17 +0000

Aaron Thomen’s DIY $200 Robotic Hand looks and works great without costing a lot of money! It consists of servo-controlled and spring-loaded fingers delicate enough to pick up small objects. In another video Aaron shows how to build it. Going to Maker Faire Bay Area? Aaron will be there showing […]

Read the full article on MAKE

Lego Play as Training for Future Engineers

John Baichtal — Sun, 12 May 2013 19:11:36 +0000

Smithsonian Magazine has a great piece about Lego’s influence on future engineers via its MIndstorms robotics set, and kids’ exposure to basic engineering principles while participating in First Lego League action: A recent Brandeis University study shows that kids who participate in robotics contests are more than twice as likely […]

Read the full article on MAKE