BYOR, Build Your Own Robot

The Time Is Right:

The field of hobby robotics is more exciting today than ever before. The day when you will have a humanoid, walking, talking robot in your home that will do your cooking and cleaning looms ever closer. Short of having a real robotic maid or butler, there are many other options that can be built today on just about any budget. If you really want to enjoy a fun, reasonably priced hobby, you should try to build your own robots. There are many reasons why it makes sense create a robot from scratch rather than buying pre-made ones.

 

Affordable:

The technology that exists today staggers the mind in not only how advanced it has become, but also in how cheap it is to purchase. There are microcontrollers today that literally replace a room-sized computer of the previous century. The cost for such controllers can be well under $100 for a more-than-capable unit. Some can be purchased as kits to assemble and learn about computer architecture and electronics, others are pre-built units and some even come as single boards that are ready to “plug and play.”

Sensors for hobby robots have increased in functionality while they have also reduced in price. It has gotten to the point where advanced sensors like ultrasonic range detectors and infrared distance sensors even come with robotic toys like the Lego Mindstorms kits. The accuracy of these sensors is astonishing and affords the robotic hobbyist with very high-precision instruments capable of providing ample functionality on even an entry-level robot.

 

Programability:

It was formerly the case that many of these microcontrollers required a high-level understanding of computers, binary math and assembler language programming to operate. This restricted the field to schooled adults or older children with a great deal of mathematics background.

Today, many of these robotic products come with a computer interface that allows “building block” style components to be visually ordered on-screen in a graphical editor which allows even younger children the ability to understand logic programming and control-flow logic structures in an easy to understand format. These same programs usually also allow code-level programming to be performed as the student gains an understanding of the high-level logic. This allows them to get “closer to the metal” of the processor’s native language and architecture while providing skill-building opportunities.

Even more interesting for some, is that many of the common hobby robots have their loyal fan following, usually very technical people, who like to push the limits of the platforms. Often you can find compilers or interpreters written to support programming in other languages. This allows the clever and curious inventors to use their robotic for other purposes while learning ever more technical skills. You can often find more than one website devoted to groups like these.

 

Attack of the Toys:

If you are not as interested in learning programming software, you can also take existing toys and use them as a springboard to more advanced uses. Toys like the Furby of yesteryear gained a following by inspired experimenters who took them apart, rewired them, and put them back together in their own vision, to perform functions not intended by the original manufacturers.

Radio controlled toys are also an excellent springboard for robot development as they take care of a common problem with robots, locomotion. One of the persistent problems creating a robot from scratch is how to propel your robot accurately around the room. Motors require careful selection, knowledge of velocity, gearing and other complex formulas in order to operate accurately. Robots like the iRobot Roomba have solved these problems and thus it makes sense to reuse the work they have done rather than re-inventing the wheel.

Also, battery power can be tricky to learn and many of these platforms take the guesswork out of creating rechargable platforms that won’t run out of juice after a five minute stroll around your home.

Reusing these technologies allows the experiment to concentrate on higher-level functions like navigation, vision and other robotic applications that may be more appealing to the robotics enthusiast.

Read more quality articles and pick up your own robot kit or robot toy at CoolRobotToys.com!

Forex robots are a very good

Forex robots are a very promising that the spread in the market consistently over the years. This software is designed to manage different behavior, characteristics and measures required in the foreign exchange market made for extra income. That’s when PAF Turbo launched three talented students in the market. This method is a difference compared to a human representative, market conditions, sensitive face. These techniques are Fab turbo for the real facts about the foreign exchange market and not only based on information at regular intervals or subsequent verification of foreign exchange information used in the world.  In fact, if users can turbo FAP strategic master the art of automated trader forex, this is really a huge step in the development of foreign exchange. Not far away, such as electronic books and other materials, training is provided, is to improve your skills in the market is no longer in use, because this robot trading software. The application should be reduced in the near future because the present invention. Only by knowing the right approach and style FAP Turbo will work to bring you definitely much money.

This is an important thing to know that you have your input and creating a separate turbo FAP very crucial in the production of them. FAP Turbo transaction you checked your settings. If there is something that every retailer, the advantage is the size of the PAF-turbo should be aware of them, the ability of robots to adapt to certain changes in market Forex. FAP Turbo with artificial intelligence technology, which is equipped with humanoid robots to find. We keep the situation under control if you do not have much time, twenty four hours a day as it comes to pass. You need just the right attitude, which favors certain market conditions for the purpose of your business.

PAF-Turbo with excellent technique, has received its share of the Forex Autopilot software Marcus Leary. The developers have done an amazing method that can be incredibly proud of Poland. Certified trade and commercial activities now going on its website. It monitors trends and characteristics of your trading partners to generate more profits. But you should find yourself if you want to join a fantastic creation.

The Future of Japanese Robotics

The Japanese has always been a keen bunch for the world of robotics. They are so engrossed in the robotics industry that they constantly introduce new kinds of hi-tech robots to the global market, while the rest of the world is struggling to keep up. In fact, robots are already taken for granted in some Japanese factories, as there are robots everywhere. Robots greet you when you enter facilities. Robots make sushi. Robots clean the floors. They wash your hands. They serve tea. They plant rice and tend paddies. In Japan, humans and robots interact socially as they routinely live side by side.

Financial statistics on robotics

The robotics revolution is extremely important for the Japanese. With approximately 25% of the population at age 65 and older, the country is banking heavily on robots to replenish the lack of manpower and care for the elderly. For almost a decade now, the Japanese government has funded a plethora of science projects involving the creation, design, and research of robots. These include a $50 million injection for the first phase of a humanoid robotics project, and an annual $10 million from 2006 to 2010 to develop key robotics technologies. Further, the government estimates the robotics industry will experience a very lofty rise from $5 billion in 2006 to $26 billion in 2010, and nearly $70 billion by 2025.

Robots are humans’ friends

Remember Tamagotchi, the handheld device that allows you to raise and take care of a virtual pet? That particular invention exemplifies how the Japanese view the existence or the need for robots. Unlike us westerners who portray robots as merciless and violent killing machines in the movies and in general science fiction, the Japanese have long seen robots as friendly helpers and catalysts in industrial dealings, as they work faster and more precise. The Japanese are also more accepting of robotics because unlike Roman Catholicism or Islam, their native Shinto religion does not view it as immoral. To the Japanese, the idea of a robot with feelings and mental capacity is not as threatening as it might be in other cultures.

Robot revolution

Other than the Japanese, a lot of people are anticipating the robot revolution, where robots would walk the streets, talk like human beings, and work like horses. That revolution has been going on quietly for quite some time now in Japan. With over 400,000 robots working at factories in 2005, Japan is undoubtedly an industrial robot powerhouse. In fact, the country’s leading financial experts believe that due to high supply and stable demand, the cost of machinery is already going down while labor costs are steadily rising. This means that robots would have to replace low-cost workers soon, thereby greatly boosting productivity. Further, Japan’s Trade Ministry recently announced its request for 1 million industrial robots to be installed all over the country by 2025. Each robot is said to be capable of replacing 10 low-cost employees. This means the guaranteed 1 million-robot army of workers will eventually represent 10 million human workers. In Japan, that is about 20% of the current work force. Indeed, robots are the cornerstone of Japan’s global competitiveness. GP

Honda’s Continuing Progress With the Asimo Robot and the Honda Odyssey

Honda (producer of high quality auto parts like Acura CL EGR valve) has recently achieved another breakthrough in the field of robotics when it has successfully made two humanoid robots to work in pairs.

The demonstration was held in Tokyo where the two child-size ASIMOs were made to serve tea and do other tasks in coordination with each other. According to Honda, the new robot buddy system enables the humanoids to share information on each other’s location as well as keep track of each other’s activities.

To demonstrate the new capabilities of the ASIMOs they were made to make their way around the room while pushing a refreshment cart then picking up and setting down drink trays.

According to the automaker the upgrades that they have put on the ASIMO robots allow them to recognize drink choices and to carry a tray with the particular ordered drink. The most amazing about the ASIMO is the part where they can analyze and at the same time predict the movement of real humans enabling them to avoid getting in the way.

Dodge Minivan to Bow Down to Honda Odyssey

Aside from the ASIMO, Honda’s Odyssey is also making waves and it may grab the minivan crown from Chrysler.

It can be noted that it was Chrysler that single-handedly developed the minivan market segment with its Dodge Caravan and the Chrysler Town & Country. Since the introduction of the Caravan in the US in 1983 it has become the top-selling minivan.

But it seems that Chrysler will not be holding the minivan crown for long especially with Honda selling over 158,139 Odyssey minivans compared to the 154,824 Dodge Caravans sold in the same period that is according to data gathered by AutoData.

Chrysler’s sales suffered for 2007 because of changeover to the new version that is according to Chrysler spokeswoman Beverly Thacker. Aside from that more buyers are shifting to crossover SUVs thereby reducing further the minivan market share. The Caravan sales are now down by 21 percent as compared to the number it sold by the end of November in 2006.

With regards to total minivan sales including Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Caravan, Chrysler LLC remains to be the market leader with 279,000 units of minivans sold. But despite this fact industry analysts thinks that Chrysler need to do better than that, if it wants to keep the title as US best-selling minivan especially with Honda working hard to improve the sales of its minivans and so far it’s doing a pretty good job.

Japan; the New Birthplace of Robots

From Toys to Tech, Why Japan is a Robot’s Number One

Japan is the country that gave the world giant robots, small robots and human sized robots. From the fictional Mobile Suit Gundam to the small tea-making robot maid, Japan’s robotics technology has been pushing the limits of our minds and imagination. Just this July 2009, Japan has unveiled a giant life sized model of the fictional robot RX-78-2 Gundam at Tokyo’s Odaiba park. This structure is not a robot, but is a model of one. This is a testament to the nation’s dedication and fondness for the field of robotics.

In recent years, automobile manufacturers Honda and Toyota have been in research and developing humanoid robots. Asimo, Honda’s robot, is more popularly known and has become the icon of robotics in this day and age. Asimo is able to carry items, walk, sprint a little and jump all while staying on its two feet. It is also equipped with sensors for detecting and identifying people, and has excellent control of its hands, allowing it to hold both fragile and heavy objects.

Day to Day Japanese Robots

Robots are not limited in shape and form to be similar to humans; many robots in use today are found in industrial factories, performing tasks inappropriate for humans such as doing precision laser welding, carrying heavy loads and even really boring tasks like moving a box from one platform to another.

Recently the utilization of these robotic arms and limbs has been moved outside the factory and into more unconventional locations. One such example is a noodle shop in Japan where the ramen is made by robots. Of course, taking orders and accepting payments are done by humans, the broth or ramen stock is also prepared by humans. The robot limbs ensure the ramen is cooked consistently and accurately, garnishes and toppings are accurately measured and added into the broth. They also prepare the ramen fast, in less than two minutes.

There are also robots being used to make coffee. The mini coffee-making robot maid is a small humanoid robot that stands a little below five inches. She has legs for movement and arms for grabbing objects. When all utensils and ingredients for making coffee are positioned in exact locations, the robot maid will scoop up the proper measurement of coffee, sugar and cream, pour hot water and stir the brew properly.

Of course, this only works if every single item it located at the proper area since the robot cannot easily detect items. Should this technology be perfected, we would eventually be able to enjoy the service of fully automated robot helpers.

Robots in Today’s Japan

Japan also has claim on many robot firsts. They have made a robot that has modeled on the catwalk. They also created a robot teacher who could teach class and recognize students. From tour guides, to receptionists, Japan is slowly creating robots that would perform many service oriented tasks. While robot may gain more and more usage, their presence is not meant to substitute that of humans. Robots are being developed to do our jobs so that we can spend more time focusing on living our lives.