Slashdot Mirror
When Los Alamos Scientists Make Toys
redpop350 writes: "Mark Tilden of Los Alamos National Labs {I had the privilege once of waiting on him in the local hardware store} has apparently come up with a new diversion. Here's the link to the story. Cool Toys! His earlier creations bore a lot of resemblance to these, and I am sure they will be fun." We've mentioned B.I.O. Bugs before, but this is some cool background to go along with them.
I read somewhere (Slashdot?) NASA was on the same strategy of sending small independent solar powered spider-like autonomous robots to futher explore the surface of mars beyond what was done by the pathfinder. The good thing is that they can stay alive of a very long time and need zero human surveillance, as long as there are solarpower and all parts like legs, electronics, cameras and other sensors are operational (make them in a strong material like titanium).
Well, transistors are analog components.
They are just made to work in a digital
circuits.
Ia Transistors dont only respond with
either current or no current, ones and
zeros in digital terms. They respond with
either current of, or infinite levels of
currents, (if you look att infinite scaling,
and not at wich amp and voltage the
transistor breaks.) Wich gives that one
transistor can give an infinite amount
of different responds.
Jens (Does swedens have brains? Or are
all blonds?)
we already have robot vaccuum cleaners. Nakamichi has 2 and I believe that Toyosho will also release one soon. The Japanese are years ahead of us in robotics and home automation. they have things we wont see for at least 6-7 years.
...requires 4 AA batteries though. these aren't the tiny (size of a deck of cards0 solarbotics you've seen before, they're closer in footprint size comparable to that of a sheet of paper.
would it be possible to get a solar panel from radio-shack (~6$) to trickle charge the bug while it's active, thus increasing battery life? 2 solar cells?
a nice vivisection of the BIO Bugs:
http://www.solarbotics.net/biobugs/default.htm
moox. for a new generation.
(IAABR - I am a BEAM robotist(?))
Disposable batteries are terrible for the environment, but people seem to be buying more all the time. With the motors in this bug, it'll eat batteries like roach food.
I'd like to see a story on Slashdot about using rechargables instead - and how can we spread the meme to get others to use them? I like the NiMH batteries I get from Thomas Distributing - I've used two sets I bought for my digital camera for over two years and over 14,000 pictures - and they recharge in two hours!
The antidote for misuse of freedom of speech is more freedom of speech.
-- Molly Ivins
One BIO-Bug by itself is pretty dull. At $40 a pop, buying several ranks somewhere below buying a console game, which is fun by itself at about the same cost. They also turn worse than the Titanic on shag carpet, but seem to do better on linolium or hardwood.
I guess if you have a Garage, and can afford to blow $80+ on a few of these guys, they could be highly amusing. Maybe they're also good for the office, if your coworkers aren't annoyed by the constant "chirp-chirp-chirp-ANNNHHHHH-ANNNNHHHH!" sound that they emit...
Just my NSHO, after buying one a month ago and turning it on exactly three times.