DIY Autonomous Tank
A prototype autonomous tank (1/16’th scale) that can be built with off the shelf parts for <$500.
The tank uses infrared sensors to locate a target in the vicinity of the vehicle. It then approaches the target using a color tracking algorithm and a digital video camera. Once the target is within range, the turret is aimed and a projectile is fired.
An eBox 2300 low power embedded computer running Windows Embedded CE acts as the brain of the tank. It reads all of the sensor data and operates the motors via a Phidgets 8/8/8 board with an LCD text display. There are 5 IR motion sensors, an ultrasonic range finder, and a USB webcamera mounted on the tank. A NiCad battery wth a custom voltage regulator powers the eBox and a second internal battery powers the tank motors.
Test results show that the tank is capable of acquiring a marked target, tracking it, and then firing a projectile at a range of aproximately 1.5 meters without any operater interaction.
Information Architecture and the iPad
I love the iPad (conceptually anyway). I’ve always had a way of doing stuff electronically. (Multitouch accelerated that flow significantly.) Now have a way of consuming stuff electronically.
Think of a kid doing a book report (or, same process taken to the N’th degree, a college kid writing a paper). Text has been the primary of presenting this information. However, that’s an incredible inefficient way of doing business. Most people aren’t trained to design the architecture of the information they’re trying to present. Those who are (think lawyers) aren’t trying to enhance understanding of the information, but instead define each point ad nauseum. There’s a difference.
Now, with this kind of device (extreme usability, intuitive tangibility – use your hands ) it’s not just the NYT that’s going to include. It’s kids doing book reports. Or college kids doing papers. Designing the information you present is going to be as useful a skill as compiling it. Think infographics, sketches, video, interactive white boards. Etc. And we’re naturally going to begin teaching that way.
Hands on tools like the iPad can really help shape that future.
Sound Sculptures
I find one of the best ways to stay sane while jumping into the intricacies of something is to zoom out and look at the art of what you’re doing every so often. It encourages connections between concepts/parts/synapses.
Here’s a set of sound sculptures and installations that builds on top of simple electronics to achieve sufficient levels of complexity – resulting in emergent beauty. Video below – its 9 minutes long, but give it a shot.
Zimoun : Sound Sculptures & Installations | Compilation Video V1.5 from ZIMOUN VIDEO ARCHIVE on Vimeo.
Android Media Platform
If you’ve been thinking about how to extend Android beyond mobile phones this is a great place to start.
The Android Media Platform (AMP) is a flexible and full-featured reference platform designed to help customers reduce time to market for their products. AMP facilitates user experience and interface prototyping, ANDROID application software development, and fast-ramp, high-volume product development.
They have an interesting conceptualization as well. A home energy monitor.
Wall Street Corruption + CIA
They are renting out CIA officers. Can’t wait to see what happens when it turns out that these guys were instrumental in making the bailout happen. Does it count as a domestic op if it isn’t done on government time? (Also, not sure there’s a meaningful difference between gov and private time in this context.)