Simpler Times

Remember when something was either right or wrong? True or false?

I wonder. Is such world view Utopian or Fascist?

Folded Card Stock

There are several robot patterns at the Infoseek website for making toy robots. I guess when it comes to folding paper, the Japanese have got quite a head start on the Americans.

Just download the pdf files, open them and print onto card stock. Cut, and fold. This should keep a child busy for a minute or two.

Passing the Torch

It's part of the Robot Group's mission to get young folks excited about new helpful technologies, and what better way than to let them see robots up close.

Educate Yourself about Robots

The Robotics Research Group at UT Austin has a splendid website for enthusiasts and other people curious about robotics. It's set up to provide a summary of their program and areas of research. You'll find a list of their numerous publications, white papers, and reports.

There are links connecting you to external resources, downloads, and dozens pages of information on robotics, in easy to understand language, using images and diagrams like this one explaining degrees of freedom.

Robot Sculptures

Clayton Bailey has an awesome imagination. He takes junk and produces whimsical robotic sculptures, mind body and soul. "Grandfather" here appears to be anatomically correct.

Sex Robots

German aircraft mechanic, Michael Harriman, said two years ago that he'd improved on the rubber inflatables so valued by Fraternity Soiree Planning Committees. We're still waiting.

PaPeRobots

The Japanese have developed small armless robots to help socialize children into the Robot age.
Read more about them from INCX.

Knitted Robots

If you can't afford to build one, maybe you can knit yourself a robot. Or better yet, contact Jess Hutchison. She's made several, though I hear they're all sold out.

Dancing Robots

You can learn to dance with the help of a neon-bright, life-sized partner. You can see by this next image, there's no need to worry about stepping on her toes. But will that stop her from rolling her wheels over yours?

Robot for the Ladies

The engineers at Morpha have designed a robotic housekeeper. This should be pretty handy. If parts of her fall off, you'll be able to count on her to pick them up.

Terminator Robot Arm

When Ahnold was running for Governor in California, it came out in the news that he'd groped just about every woman he came in contact with. I can only say, it could have been worse. Imagine this cold claw grabbing your ass, ladies.

Gingerbread Bot

The kids at Chaos have found something new to construct with sheets of gingerbread.

I'm reminded of the folktale, The Gingerbread Man.



"Run! run! as fast as you can!
"You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!"

Self-sustaining Robot

Chris Melhuish's team of engineers, at a university in Bristol, England are developing a robot that catches flies and digests them in a special reactor cell that generates electricity.

And what better way to attract flies than the smell of feces?

Robot-Typing

For some, robots hold such fascination that they are compelled to sit in front of their keyboards typing out shapes limited only by their imaginations.

Here is one of several creations produced at AsciiWorld.com.

Posy Robot

Here's a robot from engineer and designer, Tatsuya Matsui, reminiscent of a little girl's sunny innocence. Shiny, white, and flowing with lines clearly meant to endear.



PC World