Archiv der Kategorie: Fun

MAKE Rhein-Main: Call for Maker

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

Die 3. Make Rhein-Main findet am letzten Januarwochenende 2016 in Frankfurt statt. Wer bei der Messe rund ums Selbermachen mitmachen will, kann sich bis zum 10. Januar 2016 um einen Standplatz bewerben.

Wir rufen Bastler, Hacker, Crowdfunder, Robotik-Fans, Start-ups, Raketenbauer, 3D-Drucker, Guerillia Gärtner, Tinkerer, Circuit Bender, Fablabs, Musiker und alle anderen spannenden Projekte – KURZ „MAKER“ – auf sich zu melden!

Maker können auf der 3. Make Rhein-Main einen zweitägigen Stand aufmachen. Bewirb dich mit deiner Idee bis zum Sonntag, 10. Januar 2016 per Email an
[email protected]

Die Make Rhein-Main bringt alle kreativen Selbermacher zusammen, die du sonst wie Stecknadel im Heuhaufen gesucht hättest. Also raus aus den Hobbykellern, den Schulen und den Spaces und macht mit!

Außerdem suchen wir noch Helfer für die Orga, Auf- und Abbau.

 

Wann?                            Samstag und Sonntag, 30. und 31. Januar 2016

Wo?                     Hallen unter der Honsellbrücke (Ostbahnhof), Frankfurt

Kostet das was?       Nein, Stände bei der Make Rhein-Main kosten nichts.

Kann ich verkaufen?  Ja, aber nur nach Absprache. Wir sind kein Designmarkt.

Standgröße?                   Zwischen 1-4 Quadratmeter, je nach Bedarf

Wie viele Besucher?   Wir rechnen mit rund 1.000 Besuchern übers Wochenende

 

Nach dem Erfolg der ersten beiden Messen sind wir jetzt Profis. Das heißt auch, dass wir die Make Rhein-Main in ein Start-up umgewandelt haben, damit wir bessere Messen ausrichten können. Trotzdem gilt wie immer, dass wir alles, was übrig bleibt in neue Projekt stecken. Wir möchten, dass mehr Menschen was bauen. Wir bauen die „Make Rhein-Main“ dazu.

Ich will was bauen!    www.make–rhein–main.de

Entrepreneur turning hobby into novelty toy and apparel company

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

GREENSBORO, NC — After graduating from college, designer and maker, Charles Wade, began his hobby by making unique animal stickers, which later morphed into woodcraft and papercraft creations. During a test for one of his woodcrafts he designed and built a poseable wooden robot. The Helper Bot was born.

With the creation of the Helper Bot, Wade began experimenting with other ideas. After receiving feedback and appreciation for his work, he created more robots and designed assembly kits that would allow others to build his creations.

Wade has cultivated his hobby into a career by establishing RoboMustache; a collection of wooden robot assembly kits, accessories and merchandise. More than a collection of novelties, the RoboMustache hints at a rich world of storytelling as well. Coined from a found project in a derelict factory, as the company grows, so will the RoboMustache universe. The story will expand to tell more about the existing robots and bring in new robots along the way.

Wade is crowdfunding the project to take the RoboMustache universe to the next level. The Kickstarter launched Dec. 4, 2015 and runs through the new year.

A Cute Robot That Dares to Fight: Self-balancing Robot “Gemini” Launches Kickstarter Campaign

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

Gemini, a waterdrop-shaped, two-wheel, self-balancing robot with two distinct personalities, will accommodate consumers’ leisure needs more than ever before. The Gemini Kickstarter campaign launches on November 10th, 2015.

After the wild success of Makeblock, an educational robot kit series targeting makers and educators, the Shenzhen-based hardware startup Shenzhen Maker Works Technology Co., Ltd expanded its reach and designed the user-friendly smart robot Gemini, which requires no programming knowledge or assembling efforts on users’ behalf.

While standing, Gemini moves like a cute puppy, spreading joy via iridescent LED lights and flashing emoticons, and dancing to music at your command. When Gemini is equipped with a turret and crouches down, however, the robot transforms into a fearless warrior who is ready to combat.

The key to Gemini’s accurate signaling and angular actions lies in the self-balancing technology. With one MPU-6050 3-Axis Accelerometer and Gyro working with STM32 MCU, through real-time analysis of related state parameters, Gemini can minimize the displacement both vertically and horizontally, in a timely manner, and control the angular offset with the utmost accuracy, remaining level with ease.

 

Additional Features:

 

Stable Movement

The waterdrop-shaped, two-wheel, streamlined structure, empowered by the dual encoder motors with high resolution, ensures Gemini’s extraordinary agility and mobility.

 

Innovative Control Systems

Based on the free iPad app, the robot can perform complex motions and tasks with tap-and-swipe finger movements, tilting techniques (gravity control), and voice control.

 

Fluent Intercommunication

Together, the 2.4G and Wi-Fi modules offer seamless and timely communication, instantly transmitting and updating all parties’ data throughout the game.

 

High-Sensitivity LED Blue Light

Inheriting the signature Makeblock blue LED lighting, Gemini improves the transmission efficiency and undermines unstable performance from the reflection of the sun, which is often encountered by IR light-enabled devices. Overall, Gemini offers users an enhanced interactive experience.

 

Starting at USD $99.00, the team provides different bundles for buyers. “Our mission is to make an ‘Apple product’ for consumer robot kits,” says the founder and robot hobbyist Jasen Wang.

 

See Kickstarter page: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1818505613/gemini-entertainment-and-educational-robot-for-kid

Pictures Maker Faire Berlin 2015

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

Dash Robotics Unveils Kamigami, its First Line of Animal-Inspired Robots

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

HAYWARD, Calif. (October 20, 2015) — Dash Robotics today unveiled the first generation of bio-inspired Kamigami robots, the first advanced robot toy available for less than $70. Kamigami are fast, lightweight, build-it-yourself robotic toys that snap together in an origami-like fashion. Kamigami fit in the palm of your hand, run very fast on six legs, and are controlled by a programmable mobile app (for iOS initially, Android coming in 2016). Kamigami will be available initially through Kickstarter, for $49 – a 30% discount off the MSRP of $69. Kamigami will be available directly from Dash Robotics and at Amazon.com in 2016.

Dash created Kamigami robots to bring programmable robotics to the mass market. Its low price point makes it the most accessible robotic toy ever. The DIY nature of Kamigami along with the simplicity of drag-and drop programming for changing and evolving each individual robot is intended to inspire kids everywhere to engage with, and learn from, advanced technology in a way that is easy, affordable, social and fun.

Kids can use easy drag-and-drop programming within the mobile app to modify the behavior of each individual robot, and can toggle between individual and team play modes. A simple yet sophisticated set of electronics included with each robot are easy for anyone to install. These include a small circuit board, battery, a light sensor, IR sensor, gyroscope and accelerometer, which combine to bring Kamigami to life. With the IR sensors, Kamigami robots can tag one another remotely in team play modes, such as tag or battle games. IR signals transmitted from one robot to another can cause different player-designed effects on the tagged robot.

Kamigami are evolved from the initial Dash Robot beta, released last year to test design and get early customer feedback. The core “skeleton” or chassis of Kamigami looks much like the original Dash beta, whose rapid movements mimic the movements of animals, particularly cockroaches and lizards. The founders of Dash studied biomimicry and robotics at the University of California, Berkeley. In a new twist, Kamigami feature interchangeable shells that snap over the chassis, turning the robot into a colorful creature from out of this world.

Nick Kohut, co-founder and chief executive officer of Dash Robotics, said, “We designed Kamigami so kids could discover a fun new way of learning. Our mantra is ‘build, program and evolve’ and Kamigami helps kids do just that. It’s the first DIY programmable robot that is affordable for everyone.”

Key Features of Kamigami Robots:

■ Do-It-Yourself: Kamigami can be assembled without tools in under an hour. No glue or soldering required.

■ High-speed: High speed and robust locomotion inspired by some of nature’s fastest runners.

■ iOS compatible: Free app allows you to control and program the robot. Android app coming soon.

■ Rechargeable: Built-in high performance rechargeable battery. Recharges in about 30 minutes. 45-60 minutes of playtime per charge.

■ Advanced sensor suite: Includes 10 different sensors, for things such as rotation, acceleration, sensing and responding to ambient light, sending and receiving infrared signals.

■ Robot-to-robot communication: Infrared communication allows robots to talk to each other, allowing the robots to cooperate or compete.

■ Durable: Robot’s flexible construction allows the robot to shrug off falls and collisions.

Programmable Behavior

Each Kamigami robot can be programmed with a unique set of behaviors and characteristics.

This enables a wide range of individual and team play modes that take advantage of the robot’s sensors and functions. Games that can be created include:

■ Sumo-bots – first to fall off the table loses points

■ Build your own battle game where robots blast each other with the IR lasers

■ Robot relay – one robot cannot run until it gets tagged by another robot

■ Tanks – take turns trying to get into firing position

Mechanical Intelligence

Most robots today are constructed either with hundreds of expensive injection-molded parts, or metal fastened together with steel bearings. They require an individual motor, or actuator, for each joint, making them slow, expensive and heavy. To overcome these fundamental challenges, Dash constructs its robots with a material made up of highly durable yet lightweight plastic.

This material fastens together using flexible plastic joints, or flexures, rather than ball bearings. Because of this design approach, Kamigami robots require only one or two actuators – another significant reduction in cost for both prototyping and manufacturing.

This rare combination of new composite material, intelligent design and innovative manufacturing results in robots that have much greater mechanical flexibility, are much faster, are lighter in weight and can be sold at a fraction of the cost of any competitor.

About Dash Robotics      

Dash Robotics was founded in 2013 by four UC Berkeley PhD students on a mission to make advanced robotics simple, fun and affordable for everyone. Dash has received a round of seed funding led by IronFire Capital, which has a track record of success investing in early-stage companies including Songza (acquired by Google), Streem (acquired by Box), Caviar (acquired by Square) and many others. Dash is headquartered in Hayward, California.

Src:Card The Card Game – The Robot Hacking, Computer Programming Card Game has launched on Kickstarter.

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

Sept, 2015 – Src:Card Games has completed their first standalone card game: Src:Card.  Src:Card is a two player (3-4 player with expansion) card game that pits players against each other as nation states.  Each nation has one super robot with the ability to conduct global warfare.  With the days of human combatants in the past, players must write code in order to defeat the all-powerful combat robots.

Each player alternately develops its robot’s defences and programs an attack against its opponent’s battle robot.  The game uses fundamental concepts from programming in order to facilitate the attack mechanisms within the game.  The dynamic nature of building robotic defences leads to a remarkably agile response from players.

Src:Card is a game of anticipation, defence and programmatic offence.  The code based mechanics of the game are challenging for beginners and become more challenging as players become more adept at using the programming blocks.  Src:Card was created by Sam Boychuk, Erwin Njembo and Jacob Grossman, each big fans of tabletop gaming and computer programming.

After exploring research topics in software engineering education, Sam Boychuk – lead developer – determined that academics where stressing the need to teach programming students a handful of basic concepts.  Two years ago Sam decided to create a Java-based visual programming language called Pipes, as a continuation of these studies.  Six months ago, the team decided that the ideas in Pipes could be better represented in a tactile standalone card game.  While incorporating cutting edge research in teaching programming, Src:Card incorporates foundational computer science lessons in an effort to entertain and educate players of the game.

While it is the primary goal of the Src:Card team to entertain, they are confident that exploring foundational topics in computer science can introduce a whole new generation of technology enthusiasts to the world of software development.  Erwin Njembo, a teacher and technology student stated “Src:Card is engaging, it is fun, it is competitive, it’s actually a game that keeps you on the edge, you have to use your brain all the time.”  Src:Card is looking forward to releasing the game on Kickstarter immediately.

Src:Card on Kickstarter

Cannybots Launches New Robot Smart Toys that Allow Kids to Design, Build, Program and Race their Own Custom Cars

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

London, UK – Cannybots, the programmable smart toy robots that can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet, and that get kids excited about robotics, today launched on Kickstarter.

Cannybots are smart toy robots that encourage children to play and spend time together, rather than spending their days in front of screens playing virtual games online. Cannybots teaches kids about robotics, programming, design and 3D printing while they are playing.

Children receive a construction kit for their Cannybot containing all the parts and detailed instructions to build their robot. They can then be programmed and controlled from phone, tablet, PC or a Raspberry Pi.

“Going through the building process gives kids the hands-on experience of building a functional robot that they can also program,” said Anish Mampetta, CEO of Cannybots. “Programming is an essential skill today but it is not easy to get kids started.  We are allowing kids to do this in a fun, interactive and rewarding way.”

To introduce children to programming, the Cannybots team created a simple and intuitive app called ‘CannyTalk’.  The app uses a syntax-free programming environment that works like a friendly chat tool. Using the app anyone can program the Cannybot using plain English. The complex Artificial Intelligence (AI) based engine behind CannyTalk is developed in association with researchers from the Computer Science department at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

“The children use programming to solve puzzles, control Cannybots on race tracks, and create new game play styles,” added Mampetta. “It’s an interactive, social experience that brings friends and family together.”

Once built and programmed, the bots can be used in a number of play scenarios such as high speed racing, time trials, sumo-wrestling, jousting and puzzle-solving. Apps and printable tracks are available for each game.  Children can also design new car bodies using free, easy to use, browser based CAD software from Cannybots’ partner Autodesk. The designs can be then easily 3D printed using any home 3D Printer.

The current version of Cannybots is already very popular and is being used in over 20 schools in the UK and Europe.

Pre-orders start as low as $89 for an early bird special and will be shipped in time for the holidays.

For more information visit www.cannybots.com and on their Kickstarter campaign page – www.cannybots.com/kickstarter

About Cannybots 

Cannybots are smart toy robots that can be controlled and programmed from a phone or a tablet. This engaging toy brings kids play time out of their tablets and back into the real world. It also introduces kids to Programming, 3D Printing and Robotics through play.

Cannybots can be used in a large number of play scenarios, such as –Racing, Sumo Wrestling, Jousting, Maze solving and other puzzle games. There is a dedicated phone app and track design for each game play. Customer can print the tracks at home or use the large format tracks that we supply. It is also possible to make a large track by printing segments of A4 sheets. The bots work by following black lines and colored mark printed on the track.

Cannybots can be programmed from a Phone or a Tablet using a simple, intuitive app called CannyTalk. It is a Natural Language based programming interface using which you can program the robot in plain simple English. It eliminates the complex Syntax found with other programming languages thus making it easy for kids to get started.

Cannybots designs are open source, free and 3D Printable. You can easily customize the design using free, browser based CAD software from our partner Autodesk. The customized designs can be 3D printed using any ordinary home 3D printer.

Robo Wunderkind launches on Kickstarter

Veröffentlicht am von
Antworten

San Francisco, September 24, 2015 – Robo Wunderkind is a programmable robotics kit for children of all ages. On Monday, September 21, it was launched on Kickstarter, with early bird pledges starting from just $79. Robo Wunderkind is revolutionizing how coding is taught through robotics. Kids of all ages find it easy and enjoyable to play with!

Robo Wunderkind is a set of blocks for building robots. On the outside, Robo blocks are child friendly and safely encase the sophisticated electronics contained on the inside. These electronic components transform regular blocks into programmable robotic components. By just snapping blocks together, even a five year old can build a robot. The fun doesn`t stop there: kids can playfully program the robot in an intuitive app. Modular, colorful, and LEGOTM compatible, this is the toy that opens up children`s eyes to the world of technology.

Kickstarter link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/startrobo/robo–wunderkind–a–programmable–robot–for–kids–of–a

Rustem Akishbekov, the founder and CEO of Robo Wunderkind, initially came up with the idea of a child-friendly programmable robot while trying to teach his friends the basic of coding and robotics. When he realized how complicated it was for new-to-programming users, he set out to make learning coding and robotics as fun and simple as playing with LEGOTM.

“We want to revolutionize the toys our kids play with, we want them to be more than pieces of plastic,” explains Rustem Akishbekov. “The LEGOTM brick hasn`t changed over 60 years while everything around it has. Now is the time for a smart toy like Robo Wunderkind that will help kids develop the skills they need for the future.”

Robo Wunderkind connects to Android and iOS devices via Bluetooth. Kids can use the app’s visual drag-and-drop interface to program it. This early learning method means that children aren´t hindered if their reading level is still developing. Once children have mastered the basics of coding, they can move on to program their robot with Scratch, a fun programming language for kids developed at MIT.

Robo Wunderkind is unique because children need not have any prior programming experience to get going. Furthermore, the cubes‘ magnet-free and secure connection system makes Robo Wunderkind stand out from the crowd. Robo Wunderkind’s innovative design has been turning heads in Europe, earning robotics award from Futurezone and the German robotics company Festo, as well as multiple startup awards.

Robo Wunderkind comes in three sets. Kickstarter prices started at $79. There is a sliding price scale depending on the cube quantity and complexity. The cubes’ colors relate to their function: red is a proximity sensor, blue is a motor, orange – the main controller, and so on. The most advanced set comes with a digital camera and a weather sensor. With these special functions, your children can give weather forecasts or even surprise you with their first filming endeavors. Robo Wunderkind has been designed so that flat LEGOTM adaptors can be attached, making the blocks compatible with LEGOTM. Children can then personalize the robots they have built with LEGOTM blocks or figures.

Anna Iarotska, COO and Head of Business Development at Robo Technologies says, “Kickstarter is the perfect place to launch Robo Wunderkind, as it hosts a community of people who value innovation, creativity, and fun. We look forward to seeing what the kids out there will build with Robo Wunderkind”.

With their Kickstarter campaign, which will run until October 29, the team is hoping to raise $70,000. The funds they raise will go directly towards producing the very first batch of robots, with shipping scheduled for Summer 2016.

About Robo Technologies, Inc.

Rustem Akishbekov founded Robo Technologies, Inc and brought Anna Iarotska and Yuri Levin on board in 2013. The company is based in Vienna, Austria and San Francisco, California. The founders have gathered together a team of passionate engineers and designers who have been working on the project for two years.

In the summer of 2014, the team was part of the first worldwide hardware accelerator HAX. The progress made there was incorporated into Robo, earning them the „Robot of the Year“ Award from Festo and the Austrian Startup of the Year Award.