Small Electronic Logic Blocks - eBlocks

eBlocks writes "eBlocks are small low-cost electronic devices that can be easily interconnected for a wide variety of applications such as: detecting motion, light, water, sound or magnetic fields; triggering a buzzer, a light, an electronic relay or a lock. Devices can communicate wirelessly or can be controlled remotely via the internet or a telephone. The eBlocks technology has been developed by a professor at U.C. Riverside who is looking for inspiration on its best uses. Try out the simulator. Suggestions and comments welcome!"

Comments

Re:Correct me if I'm wrong

[benchbri]

I dont see how. Mindstorms are a microcontroller (big yellow&gray block) that attaches to sensors, motors, etc.. eblocks are not grounded in computers; they are pure electronics. Saying that Mindstorms and eblocks are the same is like saying a model steam engine is the same thing as a locomotive. or something. analogies escape me like, uh, oxygen or something.

Re:Had this and did this.

[ScrewMaster]

When I was growing up around 1968 - 1969 Raython had a series of kits that you could build circuits with out wires by touching blocks together and the ground was a metal plate. Connections were metal contact with magnets behind that.

I had one of those too ... it was called "Lectron". Still have it in a box somewhere around here.

Also check out Phidgets

[Chairboy]

Here's another solution, Phidgets:

http://www.phidgets.com/

They offer sensors, controllers, and more.

Re:looks like fun

[Anonymous Coward]

You mean battery life, right? I asked Dr. Vahid about it last quarter and he said they were working on other means of powering them, including a way to let blocks share power.

Cool, no more "resistors on springs"

[EvilTwinSkippy]

I tool started off with one of those "discrete components on springs" sets. Once I got past the 3 or 4 cool things in the book, it gathered dust. My interest in electronics was gone.

Years later, when I actually played with live components, could build my own cases, and could jack everything into a serial port did I truely fall in love with building things. (Forrest E. Mims, there is a spot in heaven for you.)

Hey, I'm the same guy who maxed out the capabilities on the lego mindstorms in 2 days. Come on are more than 3 inputs and outputs REALLY too much to ask for... The MIT handboard has 12 inputs, 4 outputs, and if you slave over a few pins from the LCD you can us it to generate a 16 bit parallel interface...