I contributed to TeRK while working on my MS at CMU.
The idea is to provide as simple of an interface to programming the robot as possible. You can write your own stuff directly on the hardware if you like (it's got a serial connection so it's easy to connect to). Or, you can take advantage of the layers of code and write something which runs on your PC... but still has access to things like values from the analog inputs and moving the motors -- all via 802.11. The project uses a lot of open source and the source code for all of the components is available. There is a lot of framework code written in C that runs on the Qwerk board itself, and it uses ICE to connect from the board to either a relay server or your PC. Then, for the people who don't like to program at all (or are just starting out), there is a lot of software, including a basic emulator of the board, mostly written in Java, that they can just run on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.
During development, we took our PC app and a couple of Qwerks to a group of robotics hobbyists and they were floored by the kind of capability you can get for free with the Qwerk and all of the software that's already been written. Most of them wanted to find a way to incorporate the board into their own projects.
Anyway, the goal of the project is to have a wide appeal. I hope it can get a lot more people excited about what they can do, and all at a very low cost compared to other kits.
The difference between junk mail in your post office mail box and spam in your email is that when someone sends you junk mail, they pay for the mailing, and you pay for nothing.
On the other hand, there are many people all over the world who pay for their internet access per minute or per byte or some other way (wireless especially). Then, the person getting the spam winds up paying for it. How would you like it if every time you got a piece of spam you had to pay 32 cents for it?
I spent a few weeks at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 3 or 4 summers ago, and there was a team there working on smart helicopters for a competition between colleges (I'm sure some/. reader has actually worked on one of these projects).
The helicoper was able to recognize several symbols (nuclear hazard, biohazard, and one other that I forget) on a disk-shaped thing, pick it up, and put it somewhere else. All by itself. Imagine where that technology could be in 10 or 20 years, when something like this might actually get off the ground...
But perhaps the most tantalising development on the horizon for LEP technology, says Burroughes, is the possibility of creating video displays for, say, wireless Internet access, that can be rolled up.
I had a Newton 2100 at one point, but the damn thing was just too big to carry around... so I never used it for what it was really intended for. Palms are smaller, yes, but I'm worried that I'll break them... so, I got a paper planner that's just a calendar -- it fits in my back pocket. Since it spends most of its time in my back pocket, it's shaped nicely to my ass. I tell my friends that I'm waiting for a Palm that will shape to my ass before I buy one. Flexible screens! That's the way to do it...
We already have movies "delivered" straight to your home: pay-per-view.
Besides, we all know that movie companies make big money charging you $8 a ticket to see something in a theatre with a huge picture and great sound. I don't think they're willing to give that up so that they can get maybe $6 for lots of people in a room to see first-run movies...they have to pay for those big-name actors, directors and all those computers to do special fx on somehow.
Lots of people seem to think that just because Lucas puts a great deal of effort into making money for himself, he is the root of all evil.
I saw Lucas last Wednesday, and he was asked a question about his merchandising (actually, the question included "What is your favorite Star Wars action figure?" and he said his favorite piece of merchandise was the Wookie Mug). Lucas noted that the reason he exploits movies for all the money they are worth is so he has the ABILITY to keep making movies -- even if one fails.
Imagine (I know it's hard) that Episode II fails miserably and makes no money. Because of the money that Lucas made from Episode I, he has the ability to make an Episode III, whereas most filmmakers would have to give up because of a lack of funds. It costs mucho dinero to make movies.
Also, remember that most of the money from movies doesn't come from the movie itself anymore - it comes from the things that come from the movie... this means videos, action figures, wookie mugs, whatever. SO, if Lucas can make more money by releasing things on VHS then DVD later... let him. I like his movies, and I'm happy to see that he's taking steps to be able to make them in the future.
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I contributed to TeRK while working on my MS at CMU.
The idea is to provide as simple of an interface to programming the robot as possible. You can write your own stuff directly on the hardware if you like (it's got a serial connection so it's easy to connect to). Or, you can take advantage of the layers of code and write something which runs on your PC... but still has access to things like values from the analog inputs and moving the motors -- all via 802.11. The project uses a lot of open source and the source code for all of the components is available. There is a lot of framework code written in C that runs on the Qwerk board itself, and it uses ICE to connect from the board to either a relay server or your PC. Then, for the people who don't like to program at all (or are just starting out), there is a lot of software, including a basic emulator of the board, mostly written in Java, that they can just run on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.
During development, we took our PC app and a couple of Qwerks to a group of robotics hobbyists and they were floored by the kind of capability you can get for free with the Qwerk and all of the software that's already been written. Most of them wanted to find a way to incorporate the board into their own projects.
Anyway, the goal of the project is to have a wide appeal. I hope it can get a lot more people excited about what they can do, and all at a very low cost compared to other kits.
Post-Human? I thought I turned off Jon Katz stories... hmm.
How much for unmetered service on Slashdot?
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The difference between junk mail in your post office mail box and spam in your email is that when someone sends you junk mail, they pay for the mailing, and you pay for nothing.
On the other hand, there are many people all over the world who pay for their internet access per minute or per byte or some other way (wireless especially). Then, the person getting the spam winds up paying for it. How would you like it if every time you got a piece of spam you had to pay 32 cents for it?
- Tony
I spent a few weeks at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 3 or 4 summers ago, and there was a team there working on smart helicopters for a competition between colleges (I'm sure some /. reader has actually worked on one of these projects).
The helicoper was able to recognize several symbols (nuclear hazard, biohazard, and one other that I forget) on a disk-shaped thing, pick it up, and put it somewhere else. All by itself. Imagine where that technology could be in 10 or 20 years, when something like this might actually get off the ground...
Don't sell our own talents short. =)
- Tony
But perhaps the most tantalising development on the horizon for LEP technology, says Burroughes, is the possibility of creating video displays for, say, wireless Internet access, that can be rolled up.
I had a Newton 2100 at one point, but the damn thing was just too big to carry around... so I never used it for what it was really intended for. Palms are smaller, yes, but I'm worried that I'll break them... so, I got a paper planner that's just a calendar -- it fits in my back pocket. Since it spends most of its time in my back pocket, it's shaped nicely to my ass. I tell my friends that I'm waiting for a Palm that will shape to my ass before I buy one. Flexible screens! That's the way to do it...
- Tony
We already have movies "delivered" straight to your home: pay-per-view.
Besides, we all know that movie companies make big money charging you $8 a ticket to see something in a theatre with a huge picture and great sound. I don't think they're willing to give that up so that they can get maybe $6 for lots of people in a room to see first-run movies...they have to pay for those big-name actors, directors and all those computers to do special fx on somehow.
- Tony
Lots of people seem to think that just because Lucas puts a great deal of effort into making money for himself, he is the root of all evil.
I saw Lucas last Wednesday, and he was asked a question about his merchandising (actually, the question included "What is your favorite Star Wars action figure?" and he said his favorite piece of merchandise was the Wookie Mug). Lucas noted that the reason he exploits movies for all the money they are worth is so he has the ABILITY to keep making movies -- even if one fails.
Imagine (I know it's hard) that Episode II fails miserably and makes no money. Because of the money that Lucas made from Episode I, he has the ability to make an Episode III, whereas most filmmakers would have to give up because of a lack of funds. It costs mucho dinero to make movies.
Also, remember that most of the money from movies doesn't come from the movie itself anymore - it comes from the things that come from the movie... this means videos, action figures, wookie mugs, whatever. SO, if Lucas can make more money by releasing things on VHS then DVD later... let him. I like his movies, and I'm happy to see that he's taking steps to be able to make them in the future.
- Tony