Jason Striegel over at BlogCadre, has given us a the first news in a while about LEGO’s Mindstorms Developer Program According to Striegel, LEGO sent out a email that reads:


As of yet, there is no other news of others receiving this email. Stay tuned.

Update: Striegel also pointed out the URL for requesting notification when NXT is ready for pre-order.

Related Articles:

• The NXT STEP – Lego Mindstorms NXT Blog
• WIRED Tells Development of Mindstorms NXT
• LEGO Wants You to Help Develop Mindstorms NXT
• LEGO Creates New Version of Mindstorms!
  
  
  

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Recently, Jim, over at The NXT Step blog let me know he’d added GoRobotics.net to his blogroll. Since we don’t currently have a blogroll, the "nxt" best thing is to give him a shout-out in a post! The NXT Step is now on my feed list. It’s a great site for information about about LEGO’s up-and-coming Mindstorms NXT kit.

Jim’s blog also alerted me to another great NXT site by Filip Verhaeghe, BNXT.

Great sites, Jim and Filip.


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Well, February is almost over and I feel like doing some house-cleaning. So, here goes.

First up is RoboSapiens, a "docu sci-fi feature film". It, "is a character based feature documentary on the robo-adventures of Mark Tilden, Canada’s most notorious and internationally famous robot scientist."

And speaking of Tilden, here’s a 5 page interview with him. In it he talks some about WowWee’s 2006 robot lineup.

Next is more on the SeaBED AUV that we recently blogged about having explored an ancient shipwreck.

Did you know that the Pentagon, "has set up a special unit complete with robots to conduct forensic tests in the event of a nuclear attack on the US"? Now you do.

And lest ye haven’t seen it already, how about the giant, car-lifting, snow rescue robot from our buddies at Tmsuk? Or these creepy moving mannequins?

And those of you that are suckers for LEDs like I am. Here’s three nifty links.

And last, but not least, finally some Roomba hacking instructions, complete with pictures and schematics!



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• Has its own website and forums
• Will feature the VIA EPIA TC mainboard
• Has improved stepper motor drive train
• Uses a Watchdog Failsafe to shut off the motors if the computer is down
• Will have a cameo on the television show "Pimp my Ride"
• Special Edition and Founders Edition going into production in May 2006
• Full production slated for Q3 2006

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Have you ever wondered who created the Predator drone? If so, then you’ll want to check out this piece by Red Herring about General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GAAS), the creator of the Predator, and it’s plans for the future (including Predator B and C!). The company is privately owned by a 55 year old conglomerate, and is highly secretive. The good news for them is that the Air Force plans to buy as many Predator drones as GAAS can build. Not something you hear every day.

There’s also some juicy information on the new Predator, the Predator B:

While the Predator and the Warrior have wingspans of around 55 feet, fly at altitudes of 25,000 feet and 29,000 feet, respectively, and can carry payloads of around 400 pounds, the Predator B is the super weapon. With a wingspan of 66 feet and a length of 36 feet it can fly for more than 30 hours at 50,000 feet

Right now GAAS is looking pretty good. But, will they be able to keep it up as the Pentagon decreases spending? I guess we’ll have to see. But, in the meantime the Predator will be putting some serious hurttin’ on baddies everywhere.


Related Stories:

• Autonomous Robotic Droids Seek and Destroy
• Predator Drone Successfully Defends Base
• More On The Lockheed Martin Sub Launched Robotic Plane
• Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Words Hard at Work on Robotic Drone
  
  

Tags: [ Robots | Predator | Drone | Military]


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Look out Devantech, there’s a new kid on the proverbial block, the robotics-block, that is. While the ultrasonic sensor line from Devantech has turned into a staple for many hobby robots, it looks like there might be another viable contender. Check out the Ultrasonic Range Finder from Maxbotix, which is listed for $24. A FAQ and datasheet on the sensor are available on Maxbotix’s website. The specs on the device say it can range from 0 to 6.45 meters (0 – 256 inches), and outputs in either serial, analog, or PWM signals.

PS. Maxbotix or Devantech, if you’re listening, how about sending some of your stuff our way for reviews?



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Remember the sub-launched robotic plane we talked about before? Well, here’s some more information on it, courtesy of Popular Science. The plane will be released from a Trident missile tube on an Ohio-class U.S. submarine, surface, then take off.


The plane, dubbed the "Cormorant" will have a 500 mile range. Once the Cormorant’s mission is finished, it will then return to the designated return point, and be retrieved by a unmanned vehicle, which will return the Cormorant to the sub. The reason for this is to help keep the location of the submarine secret.

The plane is made out of titanium for strength and filled will foam to help it survive the pressure from being released150ft under the water. It will be equipped with weapon systems or used for surveillance. DARPA will be conducting tests on the Cormorant until September, when it will decide whether or not to continue the project.

Tags: [ Robots | Lockheed Martin | Drone | Military]


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Hot off of their historic win at the DARPA Grand Challenge 2005, Stanford’s next goal is to create a robotic car that can drive on city streets. Their current goal is to have a vehicle drive from Los Angeles to San Franciso in October of 2007. Once again, VW will be sponsoring the team, this time with a smaller vehicle, like a Pasat Wagon. The team invisions robotic cars driving commuters to and from work freeing up hundreds of man hours a year.


Another benefit of such robotic cars is the added safety. If driving were 10% safer, upwards of 4,000 lives/year could be saved.

I, for one, will believe it when I see it. Sometimes I actually like driving and not having to worry about other things. Next thing you know, companies will be expecting their employees to be doing productive work during their commute instead of having some time alone – which is rare enough as it is.

Tags: [ Robots | DARPA | Stanley | Grand Challenge | Stanford]



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