One of my ‘circles’ on Google+ posted a link to this book.  From the description, this should be on the list for anyone interested in using an Android phone and Java to ‘power’ a robotics project.

Android Robotics Projects

A YouTube video showing [advertising] a whole family of micro sized robots.  A few similar to some of these have been seen at the Saturday morning gatherings.  Others from the family are new [to me].

Hex Bugs Nano Micro Robot Remote Control Toys Toy Fair 2010 Preview

Various methods of locomotion.

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Phil

I found a news article about a GPS receiver that is smaller than a penny, and weighs only 0.3 grams.  Even with support electronics for data logging, remote downloading, scheduling, and battery, it still only comes to 10 grams.  This may not be quite small enough to attach to insects, but they are designed to be used to track the foraging habits of bats.

I could not see any pricing on the manufacturer ? website, but that is small enough that weight and power requirements should no longer be a limitation for adding position sensing to almost any robotics project.

GPS Receivers Now Small Enough to Attach to Literally Anything

Definitely something to check into for our rocketry members. A 10 gram payload weight should be doable.  If added to an existing sensors / recording package, it could add as little as 0.3 grams.

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Phil

A news item for you.  Theoretical research on walking, running, and the transition from one to the other.  Nothing directly useful here for awhile, but if/when this gets better developed, it means that a legged robot can stably walk and run without needing a lot of sensors and fine control over the real time position of each moving part.  Instead the mechanical design of the leg, plus fairly simple control over the angle that the leg meets the ground gives good control.  Major reduction in sensors, feedback, and needed processing power.

Exploiting the Passive Dynamics of a Compliant Leg to Develop Gait Transitions

The article also includes a link to a link, that would allow buying the full 6 page Physical Review Article.

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phil

Here is an article [with video] that I found about a small robot for ‘rough’ terrain.  The article says the basic unit can be either tracked or wheeled, but the video shows only the tracked version.  From context this appears to be strictly remote controlled, with no onboard navigation or sensor interpretation.  Something like this would make a good base [just add smarts ] for the cross-country / Darpa style challenge idea that has been bounced around at WCRS events on a regular basis.

Versatile robot rascals weigh in for battle

The press release linked from the article has a ‘little’ more detail.  There is also a facebook page with more pictures, still only the tracked version though

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Phil

From my news feeds.  Information about a website that allows [non-technical] users to design [and collaborate on] 3D objects.

No Technical Know-How Needed: Endless Forms Web Site Helps Users ‘Breed’ 3-D Printable Objects

Here is a direct link to the referenced Endless Forms web site as well.

I tried a quick test, and found its ‘evolution’ to be very slow.  I was trying to build a hex-a-pod, but could not even get a flat body to use as a base.  Seems to need a lot of patience.

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Phil