Uncategorized

The Power of First Principles (in 600 seconds)

2014-03-18 Dan

Once you get first principles working they become like building blocks – it’s easy to reuse them over and over again. Take a look at what you can do with a steady supply of linear actuators. So many great CNC machines from the one mechanism!

I think the lesson here is study hard and make sure you know your fundamentals. Learning music? Practice your arpeggios. Programming? Get your design patterns memorized. Homework, homework, homework.

I’m still waiting to see someone do something awesome with Rolamite. Will anyone accept the challenge?

Uncategorized

Imagine a Live Video version of Google Earth

2014-03-07 Dan

Imagine a live, 4k video version of Google Earth. The whole planet, all the time, live and to the minute. Speeding is now impossible, because traffic control is completely automated. Troop buildup and movement is monitored constantly, making surprise attacks very difficult to pull off. How does a major oil company control the story about their latest leak or explosion when everyone can watch the plumes spread as they happen? Even petty crimes become difficult.

Assuming (and it’s a big assumption) that the data isn’t being doctored. There’s no way to be certain anyone broadcasting data is telling the truth. If only we had a lot of individually controlled cameras all broadcasting a corroborating story. Oh, look! Project Tango. Hm.

Uncategorized

Using an Occulus Rift to Train a Robot Arm

2014-03-07 Dan

Researchers at John Hopkin’s University has been building innovative robot teaching systems using new technology. Here they use an Occulus Rift system to train the robot in a virtual environment.

Visit http://cirl.lcsr.jhu.edu/ivre for more information.