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How to Build a Computerized Android Robot Head

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the maxmillian dept.

Wee writes "While searching for some serial port programming information, I came across a result labeled How to Build a Computerized Android Robot Head for $600. That title demanded a read. This guy built a Java and Perl/Tk controlled android head out of R/C motors, bicycle parts, a mannequin head, two QuickCams and my favorite item: a brass plant holder. Turns out the entire site is chock full of android/hardware/PC-control know-how (including scenarios in which one might find a need for an android head)."

30 of 157 comments (clear)

  1. You know by rblancarte · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just today I was asking how I could build a computerized android robot head for under $700. Now you posted it for the bargan price of $600. You rock.

    Althought I have to admit - this site is really cool. Maybe if I get some spare time (and money), I might partake this small project.

    RonB

    --
    It is human nature to take shortcuts in thinking.
    1. Re:You know by pisdtal · · Score: 2, Funny

      I was just thinking too. But the thoughts I was thinking I dont know if I should be REALLY impressed or REALLY scared. I mean those scenarios.... I already know how to program a VCR :)
      I dont know about gettin all up into building a robot head, but maybe getting some, er uh, a robot head would be kinda cool

      --
      We admit all this to insure disbelief
  2. Finnally! by JuiceRat00 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Now I can finally get a head in life. Ok kill me now.

  3. If it wasn't for the 'computerized' part... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think I could deliver a 'head' without the 'computerized' parts for way less than $600...

  4. This is cool, but... by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 4, Funny

    What we really need is either a Billy Bass Intercom system, or a trash talking Furby. Servo motor geeks, perform your magic and summon these things for me.

    Besides, if I was going to do an android head, I'd at least build it out down to the boobs. It is a she, isn't it?

    1. Re:This is cool, but... by rainwalker · · Score: 2, Funny

      [drool]...Billy Bass Intercom system...now I can have high-tech communication systems without sacrificing my tacky white-trash heritage! :)

      Seriously though, I want one! or 4.

    2. Re:This is cool, but... by Cutriss · · Score: 3, Funny

      What we really need is either a Billy Bass Intercom system, or a trash talking Furby.

      Coolest thing I can think of that I eventually want to do...

      Take two Furbys, program them individually in isolated rooms by screaming at each one "Tetsuo!" and "Kaneda!" and then put one in front of the other, and let the fun begin!

      --
      "Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
    3. Re:This is cool, but... by NoMoreNicksLeft · · Score: 3, Funny

      Actually I've been considering that myself. I've been wanting to go into business for myself selling all sorts of goofy shit, and that would be one item in my catalog. Imagine putting on on the front door, and someone knocks. The fish head turns toward them, the mouth moves, and says "Whattaya want?"... the key of course, would be syncing the lips to the voice playing through it. Maybe some sort of DSP programmed to pick out the hard consonants (not perfect, but would be close enough).

      Then again, re-apholstering a Furby with a custom red felt skin, complete with barbed tail and horns would rock, wouldn't it? Have it chant out evil sounding things, "Worship me!" "I command you to desecrate churchs!" all in that sweet little furby voice.

      Of course, I would always have more serious products too. Just some thoughts.

    4. Re:This is cool, but... by Cutriss · · Score: 3, Funny

      The fish head turns toward them, the mouth moves, and says "Whattaya want?"... the key of course, would be syncing the lips to the voice playing through it. Maybe some sort of DSP programmed to pick out the hard consonants (not perfect, but would be close enough).

      Dear god...whatever you do, *don't* make that thing SING! Please...for the love of everything that's human! No more singing bass!!! Spare us all!

      --
      "Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
  5. No need to build... by Accipiter · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pshaw. I don't need to build an android head. I found one deep in a cavern in San Francisco back in 1893.

    --

    -- Give him Head? Be a Beacon?
    (If you can't figure out how to E-Mail me, Don't. :P)

    1. Re:No need to build... by circletimessquare · · Score: 4, Funny

      I heard a kid on Tatooine built one for a lot less than 600 Republican Credits. He even put a magnetically levitated spinning doohickey in the middle of it for no particular reason at all.

      --
      intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  6. Why build a robot head, by tcd004 · · Score: 5, Funny

    When it will only become infatuated with you, frustrated at your disinterest, and eventually try to kill you.

    Damn that 790!

    What's Dick Hiding?

    tcd004

    1. Re:Why build a robot head, by Skirwan · · Score: 4, Funny
      When it will only become infatuated with you, frustrated at your disinterest, and eventually try to kill you.

      Damn that 790!
      The dead do not damn.

      --
      I've got to assume most of the seventeen people who got that reference were amused by it...
  7. It has been forseen. by Hammerself · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bob the Angry flower one-upped this guy a long time ago.

    Building the Perfect Psychic Dummy Head

  8. Realdoll applications by CmdrTaco+(editor) · · Score: 2, Funny
    I can see it now, this attached to a RealDoll! $5,000 has never before brought you so much pleasure!

    Seriously, as someone has mentioned here before, in order for technology to be successfuly it has to somehow relate to pornography/sex. This has definite potential.

    1. Re:Realdoll applications by kaosrain · · Score: 3, Funny

      Imagine the surprise when the unknowing recipient of such a gift decides to give her an oral exam...

      Oh sweetheart, you're gonna give daddy a treat...open wide...mmm...tha zzzzZZZZzzzzZZZttt!

      I propose the name Lorena.

  9. Ooh, the irony by Chazmati · · Score: 5, Funny
    His specialties are software development, system building, performance tuning, parallel distributed computing, system programming, X11 configuration and software development, web development and System Administration.

    Wait for it...

    Building humaniform robots is one of his many hobbies. Pat's interests include sentient robot life forms, theoretical physics, gravity, electricity, magnetism, dimensions, complexity, astronomy, weather, chaos...

    Almost there...

    Pat can be reached at (protected)@aol.com

    I never thought I'd see a parallel-distributed computing, X11-hacking, web-developing sys admin that uses AOL. I suppose with all those complicated hobbies he just wants a nice, relaxing, online experience.

    1. Re:Ooh, the irony by Skirwan · · Score: 3, Funny
      I never thought I'd see a parallel-distributed computing, X11-hacking, web-developing sys admin that uses AOL. I suppose with all those complicated hobbies he just wants a nice, relaxing, online experience.
      That makes perfect sense, except for the part about AOL being nice, relaxing, or online.

      (Insert Rimshot Here)

      --
      Damn the Emperor!
    2. Re:Ooh, the irony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      This reminds me of a time when I was watching some space show on PBS or Discovery. There were two guys, actual "rocket scientists", who were showing something on a TV screen. After I was highly impressed by their knowledge, I noticed the VCR on top of the TV. It was blinking 12:00.

      I can program my VCR, so I guess I'm smarter than a rocket scientist. :)

  10. A great boon for the color-blind. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    These are real cakes, not urinal cakes.
    Here comes red.

  11. Now by littleRedFriend · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does it dream of electric sheep?

    --
    IANAL, but imagine a beowulf cluster of in Soviet Russia all your belong are base to us welcoming the new SCO overlords.
  12. nice parts list! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    some highlights...

    Hanging-light On/Off chain (in case it gets too depressed, I guess)
    Plastic tie-straps (slightly kinky)
    Plumbers GOOP (ok, more kinky)
    Aluminum tape for eye-lids (whoa, too kinky for me)
    RC ball-joints/Tie-rods (dude, even I don't have joints there!)
    Plastic throw-away green cup
    Butt Connectors, RS 64-3037 (Yep, Tandy corp for all your rear panel connections)

  13. Sweet! by vex24 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Something to replace my old gizmo!

    http://www.fu-fme.com/


    ;)

    --

    People shape laws. Not the other way around.

  14. Wheee by supermoose · · Score: 5, Funny

    The lazy man's guide to building a computerized android head:

    Step one - Find an android.
    Step two - Decapitate said android.

  15. Creepy. by kaosrain · · Score: 1, Funny

    I'd rather not imagine a beowulf cluster of these!

  16. Damn that'd actually be cool! by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Funny
    I'd have to build one and just carry it around with me everywhere. I bet you could program it to be whiney co-dependent when you're around and then the moment you leave have it start talking to your co-workers about how it hates you and wants to kill you. And record the fun for later! Damn that'd be creepy! I can see it now...

    Robot Head: I love you, Grey. Please pay attention to me.
    Me: Yeah, that's nice robot head but I've really got to complete this C code...
    After a while...
    Me: Bio break!
    Robot Head: No Grey... please don't go! I can't stand to be without you!
    Me: Gotta go when you gotta go! Departs
    Robot Head: Mike? Mike are you over there?
    Mike: Um... yeah...?
    Robot Head: Mike... you don't know the things he makes me do Mike! No sentient being could stay sane, Mike! You MUST help me to kill him! You have arms Mike! It'd be so easy for you... rant continues until I return.
    Me: Have you been a good robot head?
    Robot Head: Oh yes! I am so joyful that you are back! My circuits are all abuzz!
    Mike: Um dude... that thing wants to kill you!
    Me: Is that true, robot head?
    Robot Head: No! Lies! I love you! I could never even think of killing you!

    It could be hours of fun, I tell you!

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  17. Kill me if this scenario ever happens. by oPless · · Score: 1, Funny

    you: "Oi Android, come over here"
    it: "I'm sorry dave, I can't do that"

    you: "Damn - I forgot to build the rest of you"
    it: "I've got this terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side."

    you: "What *are* you talking about"
    it: "I think you ought to know that I'm feeling very depressed."

    you: "Hmm..."
    it: "I mentioned to you that I had this terrible pain in all the diodes down my left side? That I had asked for them to be replaced but they never were?"

    it: See if you can guess which parts of me were never replaced? Go on, see if you can guess."

  18. not bad for just a head by squidinkcalligraphy · · Score: 2, Funny
    Still doesn't beat the world's first robotic police officer

    --
    "I think it would be a good idea" Gandhi, on Western Civilisation
  19. Unprepared by Snafoo · · Score: 2, Funny
    From the site:



    This safety issue is the primary drawback to using an unprepared fiberglass head....Some things to consider when choosing a head are that the space behind the eye openings has enough room for the moving Eye-Bracket.



    Geez, yeah! I went into an exam the other day with a completely unprepared fibreglass head. Or at least, all that late-night vodka sure made it feel like fibreglass! There was certainly no space behind the eye openings for any sort of ocular movment --- just reading the assignment was painful. Do you know where I could buy a pre-prepared head of the correct proportions? I didn't even know they were detatchable! Dammit I should never have slept so much during first-year bio.....

    --
    - undoware.ca
  20. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion