Robot controllers

Matt (from Phidgets USA) has a new robotics store, if you’re in to robotics, go check it out - “ We invite you to stop by and take a look around. It is our goal to create an online hub for vendors to reach a new generation of students, developers, scientists, researchers, hobbyists, and more. We look forward to working with all our vendors to help grow the robotics market and usher in new technologies.” - Link.

Gloom-II - Mini-sumo robot (Modded Solarbotics Sumovore kit)

Mr_tentacle posted a bit about his new robot, the Gloom II - he writes “Gloom II replaces the original “Gloom”, which died of unknown causes. This is a Solarbotics Sumovore kit, which is a decent kit as these things go, but had a few issues, the biggest being a flawed trace on the main board that resulted in a short and was difficult to track down. This version is fitted with the optional BS2-compatible “brainboard” - the MCU is a BasicX BX-24p, much faster than a BS2, running a Sumo program of my own design. I ditched the 6 AA cells in favor of a 7.4V LiPoly; the AA cells seen beneath the LiPoly are there for ballast. “ - Link.

Omniteuthis - Amazing robot with a holonomic drive

 

Mr_tentacle writes - "Omniteuthis is a 3-wheeled test platform with holonomic drive - omniwheels at the the corners allow it to move directly in any direction. A Robot Logic OMX-3 omni-mixer and an inexpensive rate gyro work together to make it more-or less driveable using a 2-stick heli radio... Omniteuthis features 3 omniwheels mounted at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. A Robot Logic OMX-3 omniwheel mixer and a GWS Gyro work in concert to provide the necessary control. I can move the ROV in any direction, without having to turn to "face" in that direction." - Link & video.

Laser cut - Palm Pilot robot

Chris writes - "This is my version of the Palm Pilot Robot from the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon. Their website has a simple tutorial on how to make one and even has programs to download and bring it to life. I used this opportunity to figure out the ins and outs of the laser cutter which I have access to and design a chassis for the PalmBot. " Thanks Kat! - Link.

The American Association for Artificial Intelligence Celebrates 50 Years of AI

The American Association for Artificial Intelligence has celebrated 50 years of AI at this year's conference. Wired News has some good coverage and pictures of the event. There was a robot scavenger hunt, beauty pagent, and poker tournament at the conference.

There were also predictions that AI would be able to read 80% of the factual information on the internet in 10 years, thereby giving robots the ability to learn and know from an ever expanding knowledge base. Robotic music and was also discussed.

Sebastian Thrun, of DARPA Grand Challenge fame, gave the keynote address.