Daily DIY

This is for supplying power to a USB device even while it is unplugged from the host computer.



For example, it could be used to power a host of desktop toys which are programmed by a computer via the usb port, and then operates independently, while being still powered by the usb port.



This will allow the device to dispense with internal batteries, and therefore be of simple design.



The single cell Li-ion charger is detailed in this instructable: http://www.instructables.com/id/EMAV8NGTLXEV0G2TSC/



I have an idea of combining my USB hub, http://www.instructables.com/id/EEXHOBCAOEEUR4U24X/ , with this to have a battery powered four port UPS USB hub.



With a tweety bird theme, of course.



This used to be another similiar post to this one, but that seems to have disappeared.


By: neelandan

Build your own (needlessly tech) servomotor-driven 4-leg walker robot!



First, a warning: This bot is basically a microcontroller-brain version of the classic BEAM 4-legged walker. The BEAM 4-legger may be easier for you to make if you aren’t already set up for microcontroller programming and just want to build a walker.



On the other hand, if you’re getting started with microprocessor programming and have a couple servos kicking around, this here’s your ideal project! You get to play with walker mechanics without having to worry about the fussy analog BEAM microcore tweaking.



So although this isn’t really a BEAM bot, the following two webpages are great resources for any 4-legged walker:



Bram van Zoelen’s 4-legged walker tutorial has a good overview of the mechanics and theory.

I took my leg design off his website.



Chiu-Yuan Fang’s walker site is also pretty good for BEAM stuff and some more-advanced walker designs.



Done reading? Ready to get building?


By: The Real Elliot

Our pal Tom from ROBOT magazine sent in this interesting news item regarding the VEX robots… -

“Revell Monogram LLC and Innovation First, Inc. announced today a global partnership for the design, marketing and distribution of the new Vex Robotics System, a product platform based on the award-winning original design developed in 2005.

In this partnership, Innovation First will be responsible for technical design, engineering development and manufacturing, while Revell will be responsible for the development of sales and marketing programs, channel strategies and distribution. IFI will maintain responsibility and control of all products and programs involved with the educational field, the FIRST Robotics competition, and other non­retail business ventures. “ - Link.

I wonder if this means RadioShack isn’t going to carry VEX any longer, they’ve been on clearance for awhile and all the parts/bots are “out of stock” in the online store.

Related:

• Robotics @ MAKE - Link.
• VEX @ MAKE - Link.

From the pages of MAKE:

• The Vex Robotics Design System - Versatile, powerful design raises the bot in prefab robotics construction kits. Subscribers–read this article now in your digital edition!

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]

Ever see that Badgerbadger flash movie? Here’s a robot ornament version sure to taunt other robotic opponents at an upcoming robo-war tournament, nice work Vrogy! - Link & movie.

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]

Our pals at ROBOT magazine have a -great- review and photos of this new/low-cost bi-ped robot, the BRAT - “This pictorial shows the assembly of Lynxmotion’s, www.lynxmotion.com, new BRAT, an entry level bipedal robot that is a milestone robot. With a starting price of less than $300, BRAT offers an affordable yet sophisticated entry into the humanoid robotics field. Use Lynxmotion’s powerful sequencing software and you will be able to program the coordinated movement of up to 32 servos (the BRAT biped uses only six servos). The BRAT is a powerful testament to the flexibility of the “servo erector set” product line developed by Lynxmotion.” - Link.

Related:

• BRAT @ Lynxmotion, Inc - Link.
• ROBOT Magazine - Link.
• Robotics @ MAKE - Link.

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]

A Toyota Motor Corp. spokeswoman reportedly said,”It was a difficult step for robots.” - Link

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]

There is nothing more satisfying to an animatronic enthusiast than gazing into the brain of an animatronic puppet. This reminds me of that brilliant stop motion puppet used in Clash of the Titans! - Link

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]

The Make:: Drawbot Lives!

Divide with camera

Divide’s image via the Make:: Drawbot!

More info and software and video coming soon!

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]

We need a robot to infiltrate the cockroach base, understand their social patterns and then mimic their behaviour. Now that robots can mimic cockroaches, I’m convinced that they can take over the world. [Via]

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]

Jesse Sullivan has two prosthetic arms that are connected to his shoulder and controlled via electrical impulses. Besides being handy, they look awesome! In the cnn article, it’s mentioned that the doctor, Dr. Todd Kuiken, is interested in collaborating with the military. Images of robocop and the six-million dollar man are dancing in my head.

NECAL uses nerve-muscle grafts in amputees to gain added control signals for an artificial arm. Doctors take nerves that used to go to the arm and move those nerves onto chest muscles. The nerves grow into the chest muscles, so when the patient thinks “close hand,” a portion of his chest muscle contracts and electrodes that detect this muscle activity tell the computerized arm when to close the hand. Thus, the patient thinks “close hand” and his artificial hand closes. - Link



Last night I was chatting with a new acquaintance at dorkbot who had recently gone through a lot of surgery and I learned that doctors are often the creators of new medical technology and that they make a lot of their own tools. I’m really curious about this, if you know any good stories about doctors as makers, leave them in the comments or drop me a line at bre@makezine.com

[Read this article] [Comment on this article]