• Constructing Our NXT Robots

    Updated: 2012-03-30 23:38:15
    Bedford South School now has a Mindstorm Robot Library which includes 6 robots. See how they were built in this short video created by students in 6Tulloch. Duration : 0:2:17 Technorati Tags: Bedford, BSS, education, mindstorm, NS, NXT, robot, School, south, stem, STEMNS, Tulloch

  • Simple robot body from parts you can source locally

    Updated: 2012-03-30 23:38:14
    I wanted to build a robot platform to play around with. I already had two gearhead motors with a couple of wheels attached to them. I just needed to build a chassis, mount the motors, and add a circuit to drive them. Here I show the different parts, and demonstrate some motion using an Arduino. [...]

  • Sound Activated Dinosaur Robot Kits by Regal Elite

    Updated: 2012-03-30 23:38:10
    13 different dinosaur puzzle kits by Regal Elite. Most of the kits use sound to activate the completely built dinosaur. One dinosaur moves through a remote control. See www.regalelite.com. Duration : 0:1:55 Technorati Tags: Children's Technology Review, CTR, dinosaurs, electronic, kits, new york, puzzles, rc, Regal Elite, Remote Control, robots, Technology, toy fair

  • Tools, materials, hardware, parts, belts and gears from AmazonSupply

    Updated: 2012-03-30 18:54:01
    : , , , , The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Friday , March 30, 2012 Tools , materials , hardware , parts , belts and gears from AmazonSupply The retailer formerly know as SmallParts is now called AmazonSupply They offer a huge selection of industrial and scientific supplies and parts all in one place . They've got a selection of over 500,000 items available via their web site , fast delivery , and competitive prices . Some items of interest to the readers of The Automata Automaton Blog are listed : below Belts , Chains , and Gears Power and Hand Tools Cutting Tools Fasteners Abrasive Finishing Products Test , Measure Inspect

  • Ghost illusion automaton by Thomas Kuntz titled "Moonlight Sonata"

    Updated: 2012-03-29 13:03:45
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Thursday , March 29, 2012 Ghost illusion automaton by Thomas Kuntz titled Moonlight Sonata This automaton by Thomas Kuntz features a miniature ghost illusion using two automaton figures . When the hand-crank is turned a music box is heard . A figure plays the organ and turns his head occasionally to reveal a macabre visage . A ghost playing the violin appears , then disappears and a flower spontaneously rises from the . vase More about the automaton from Thomas : Kuntz The mechanism is hand cranked and machined from solid brass steel and other metals all very tightly organized into the rather

  • Video profile of toy and automata maker Ron Fuller

    Updated: 2012-03-28 13:11:43
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Wednesday , March 28, 2012 Video profile of toy and automata maker Ron Fuller Artist Ron Fuller has been making toys , models , and automata for more than five decades . His name and art are well known in the world of contemporary automata . This short film gives us a glimpse into his workshop and his . thoughts If you like what you see and want to make some of the same models and automata , be sure to check out Ron Fuller's book The Art and Craft of Wooden Toys It's full of plans to make Fuller's charming creations including his famous Lion Tamer automaton . One of the best books of its kind

  • ROBO-ONE Light: My Personal Favorite Image

    Updated: 2012-03-28 00:38:50
    Of all the photos I took at the ROBO-ONE Light competition in Kawasaki last Saturday, and I took over 400+, this particular image is my hands down favorite. That might seem a little strange, especially since there aren't any battling bots in view. There are several reasons why it speaks to me so deeply and [...]

  • Steampunk mechanical shark submarine model made with Legos!

    Updated: 2012-03-27 13:07:21
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Tuesday , March 27, 2012 Steampunk mechanical shark submarine model made with Legos YouTube member legobodgers decided to enter a competition in which the model had something to to with water and emphasized function over form . His idea A Steampunk mechanical shark . Oh , and it's a submarine too there is a tiny pilot in the shark's head The piece is made from Legos with a lot of Lego Technic parts used for the sophisticated mechanism . Brilliant I wouldn't change a thing . Well , OK . I would like to have it scaled up to full size and made water-tight so I can drive around it . But , that's

  • ROBO-ONE 20 Humanoid Robot Entertainment Photoset

    Updated: 2012-03-27 03:18:07
    The first set of photos from last weekend's ROBO-ONE 20 humanoid robot competition is online:  

  • Exploration of The Uncanny as it relates to automata and robots

    Updated: 2012-03-26 14:43:15
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Monday , March 26, 2012 Exploration of The Uncanny as it relates to automata and robots The Uncanny the subject of an e-zine issue of the Pea Green Boat magazine , features an interview with The House of Automata and an unpretentious exploration of what The Uncanny is all . about For some background on the concept of The Uncanny , let's turn to Wikipedia The Uncanny Ger . Das Unheimliche the opposite of what is familiar is a Freudian concept of an instance where something can be familiar , yet foreign at the same time , resulting in a feeling of it being uncomfortably strange or uncomfortably

  • AIBO Reborn By Bandai As A Walking iPhone Canine (Video)

    Updated: 2012-03-26 14:32:02
    Ever wonder what the children would look like if an iPhone mated with the AIBO robot dog? It turns out that you won't have to wait long to find out. Bandai is about to release a cute little robot dog that uses the iPhone as its head and brain, while emulating quite a few of [...]

  • GAROO Retains ROBO-ONE Championship in the Final Match (Video)

    Updated: 2012-03-25 15:28:33
    There have been many ROBO-ONE Champions since the well-known humanoid robot competition first started 10 years ago, but I'm sure that back in 2002 no one ever imagined that the same builder would win the title twice in a row, and that the competitor that did would be a woman. That's exactly what happened this [...]

  • MAD Museum of kinetic art and automata opens today, March 22nd 2012

    Updated: 2012-03-23 12:35:44
    : , The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Friday , March 23, 2012 MAD Museum of kinetic art and automata opens today , March 22nd 2012 The MAD Mechanical Art Design Museum is due to crank up its machines and unbolt its doors today March 22nd 2012. The MAD museum is a wonderful collection of machines incorporating gears , chains , pulleys and whirligig paraphernalia . From what I gather , the collection will be amazing , representing the work of many , many talented artists . I am currently working on a piece for inclusion in the exhibits : Location The Mad Museum Sheep Street Stratford Upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6EF England :

  • Profile of automata-maker Dug North, his artwork, studio, and involvement with the film 'Hugo'

    Updated: 2012-03-22 13:06:09
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Thursday , March 22, 2012 Video profile of automata-maker Dug North and when Hollywood came knocking Check out this profile of me and my automata published on Howell in Lowell the city's new , hip arts and entertainment site . There are some photographs of me and my work , a nice write up , and a well-produced video . You even get a good look at my walk-in vault and its massive steel . door Here is where you can see the full profile of Dug North titled Invention of Dreams at Howl in Lowell Thanks to everyone at Howl in Lowell Labels : art Dug North Lowell magazines makers newspaper online

  • University of Tokyo – JSK Lab – Amazing NAO Robot Research Projects (Video)

    Updated: 2012-03-22 00:26:06
    I have to admit that when I attended the University of Tokyo/Aldebaran Robotics press conference a while back I was pretty skeptical. Bringing French humanoid robots to Japan, especially introducing them into one of the leading Japanese research organizations, was a little like "carrying coals to Newcastle." What would the Japanese do with the cute [...]

  • Labyrinth: wall-mounted kinetic wooden sculpture by David C. Roy

    Updated: 2012-03-21 15:10:00
    : : . The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Wednesday , March 21, 2012 Labyrinth : wall-mounted kinetic wooden sculpture by David C . Roy Here is a new wall-mounted kinetic sculpture by David C . Roy entitled Labyrinth Roy was inspired by an animation he found showing the optical effect created when layers of parallel lines are rotated in opposite directions . This simple concept , turned out to be a significant mechanical challenge , taking Roy some 5 years to perfect in physical form . The time and effort were worth it . The final sculpture shown in the video produces a beautiful motion and effect , is easy to operate and will

  • Profile of artist Sam Smith, the father of modern automata

    Updated: 2012-03-20 12:13:15
    : , The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Tuesday , March 20, 2012 Profile of artist Sam Smith , the father of modern automata Here is a remarkable film courtesy of automata enthusiast Sergio Pinese . The film profiles British artist Sam Smith in the year 1976. While perhaps not an automata-maker strictly speaking , Smith's work had a distinctly toy-like quality to it . Many of the figures are articulated and some pieces were in fact . animated In his book , Automata and Mechanical Toys Rodney Pepp singles out Alexander Calder , Jean Tinguely , and Sam Smith as seminal figures in the emerging field of contemporary automata . He

  • Film featuring the modern automata of David Secrett

    Updated: 2012-03-19 17:44:44
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Monday , March 19, 2012 Film featuring the modern automata of David Secrett Here is a wonderful bit of film produced by the BBC back in 1979. Automata expert Sergio Pinese was good enough to share this fascinating ten minute profile of automata-maker David Secrett , which was also featured on the Spiel und Kunst mit Mechanik blog yesterday . The video shows Secrett's fastidious approach to the art , inspired by the automata of . old Thank you Sergio Thanks also to Michael Start who passed along information about the film Labels : archer BBC David Secrett film Sergio Pinese UK posted by Dug

  • DARwiN-OP Advanced Humanoid Robot Gets New Feet (Video)

    Updated: 2012-03-19 15:41:35
    The already awesome DARwin-OP humanoid robot just got better. Robotis, the manufacturer of most of the servos, electronics, and hardware that goes into DARwin-op, announced the release of new force sensing feet. The new feet include built-in force sensing resistors (FSR), and comes pre-assembled as a unit with hinge frames and covers. According to Robotis, [...]

  • Aldebaran NAO and ROMEO Humanoid Robots on French TV (Video)

    Updated: 2012-03-19 13:57:12
    The Aldebaran NAO and ROMEO humanoid robots were featured on television, including interviews with some of the key Aldebaran management team. For those already familiar with the NAO robot, the program doesn't really present anything new or exciting. It does, however, include some good close-up views of ROMEO - the company's life-sized/person-sized humanoid development project. [...]

  • PYGMY – Robot Rings That Enhance Communication (Video)

    Updated: 2012-03-18 05:45:21
    The researchers at Keio University here do some surprising work. They're breaking new ground with user interfaces and communication, both between man and machines, and between people. Their projects usually involve the application of readily available technology in new and different ways. A good example is the PYGMY robot ring project presented by Masayasu Ogata [...]

  • Why Would Robotic Aircraft Be Controlled by Human Hand Gestures? (Video)

    Updated: 2012-03-17 11:13:05
    Perhaps I'm missing something, it happens some times. A recent article by Mark Brown on the Wired UK website presents the research being pursued by Yale Song and others at MIT exploring the potential to use hand gestures and body positions in a real time aircraft carrier environment to direct unmanned planes on the flight [...]

  • How to build the box base for a wood automaton

    Updated: 2012-03-16 15:10:49
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Friday , March 16, 2012 How to build the box base for a wood automaton The seventh article in my Automata Tips , Techniques and Tricks series for Cabaret Mechanical Theatre is now live In this article , I write about how to make sturdy boxes to hold automata mechanisms . There are dozens of good ways to make a box . I focus on one simple method using corner butt joints reinforced with wooden dowels . This method is easy to make , doesn't require any special cuts , and can be accomplished with a minimum of tools . Best of all , it allows you to assemble and disassemble the piece during the

  • Sale on Cabaret Mechanical Theatre book and three DVDs!

    Updated: 2012-03-15 12:03:03
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Thursday , March 15, 2012 Sale on Cabaret Mechanical Theatre book and three DVDs To celebrate 30 years of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre they are having a sale For four days you can get 50 off their book and 3 DVDs . I ordered these on VHS years ago . It is time to upgrade to a more recent format Here's where you can learn more about the book and DVD sale at Cabaret Mechanical Theatre Valid from the 15th to 18th March 2012. Labels : automata artists bargains books Cabaret Mechanical Theatre DIY DVD instruction Keith Newstead Paul Spooner posted by Dug North on Thursday , March 15, 2012 0 :

  • Profile of the Jaquet-Droz: master watch, clock, and automata makers

    Updated: 2012-03-14 15:36:25
    : : , , The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Wednesday , March 14, 2012 Profile of the Jaquet-Droz : master watch , clock , and automata makers If you missed this video the other day over at the excellent Spiel und Kunst mit Mechanik blog , it is a must see . The film documents some of the achievements of the famous Jaquet-Droz family of . watchmakers The list of accomplishments outlined in this 13 minute film is astounding . Among other things , the Jaquet-Droz are credited : with The first sing bird autoamta The first singing bird watch The self-winding watch The Writer automaton The Draftsman automaton The Musician automaton

  • The incredible mechanical art of Andrew Smith

    Updated: 2012-03-13 12:23:33
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Tuesday , March 13, 2012 The incredible mechanical art of Andrew Smith Tangles of organic shapes , twists of colorful metal , spinning wheels , balls racing along on tracks with purpose , rooms jammed full of mechanical contraptions , liquids , gases , light , and a full-size human figure made of metal riding a bike . These are just some of the incredible mechanical creations that come from the mind and hands of artist Andrew Smith . Check out this video montage showing an assortment of his kinetic . sculptures You can see more kinetic sculpture by Andrew Smith on his web . site Labels : AKA

  • Fanciful 'Nervous Owl' paper automaton kit

    Updated: 2012-03-12 12:18:14
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Monday , March 12, 2012 Fanciful Nervous Owl' paper automaton kit Here's a new paper automaton design from the folks at cool4cats . The tormentented owl can only look on as the motorcycling mouse rides circles around the tree . The owl's had action is fascinating The Nervous Owl' automaton kit comes with all necessary materials and full step-by-step instructions . All you will need is some white glue and a craft knife . Nervous owl is currently selling for 12.00 about 18 USD Here is where you can order the Nervous Owl kit paper automaton kit Labels : animals birds cool4cats humorous kits

  • Competision NXT Robotic Lego Mindstorm instructur ROAD RACE SPEED

    Updated: 2012-03-09 13:57:19
    Competisions Robotic Lego Mindstorms NXT, speed and building’s . Duration : 0:1:36 Technorati Tags: child, Computer, education, gadget, kid, lego, Mindstorms, NXT, robot, robotic, robotics, SPEED, Technology

  • Full size Japanese automaton writes with an inked brush

    Updated: 2012-03-08 12:42:52
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Thursday , March 08, 2012 Full size Japanese automaton writes with an inked brush Magician Brad Henderson from Austin Texas uncovered this video of a large writing automaton from Japan . I don't know much or anything about this karakuri figure . The size and sophistication are extremely impressive Labels : figure Japan karakuri large-scale writing posted by Dug North on Thursday , March 08, 2012 0 : Comments Post a Comment Older Posts If you shop at Amazon help support this blog by using this link . Thanks Automata Links Automata by Dug North Books about Automata Mechanical Toys and Gadgets

  • The biggest, baddest hand-operated mechanical corkscrew in the universe

    Updated: 2012-03-06 13:07:10
    : , The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Tuesday , March 06, 2012 The biggest , baddest hand-operated mechanical corkscrew in the universe Artist Rob Higgs creates overly-complex machines that perform simple tasks . They seem inspired by pseudo-mechanical drawings of Rube Goldberg or Heath Robinson I did a short post about the one shown here , titled Corkscrew a few years ago , but didn't have video to show at the time . I think the video is essential to see the eerie mechanical beauty of 1000 pounds of machine as it goes about opening a bottle of wine . Mind you , it will also pour a glass for you too I am in awe of the artist

  • Hugo DVD and Blu-ray with bonus feature about automata

    Updated: 2012-03-03 21:24:38
    : The Automata Automaton Blog The Blog for Makers and Collectors of Mechanical Automata and Mechanical Toys The Automata Automaton Blog The Automata Automaton Store Automata on eBay Dug North Automata Saturday , March 03, 2012 Hugo DVD and Blu-ray with bonus feature about automata It's been an exciting week for me . The release of the Martin Scorsese film Hugo on DVD and Blu-ray confirmed at last that I was indeed included in one of the bonus features . I am one of the experts interviewed for a featurette titled The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo The DVD edition includes only one extra feature , a nice behind-the-scenes piece titled Shoot the Moon : The Making of Hugo The Blu-ray special features : include Shoot the Moon : The Making of Hugo The Cinemagician , Georges Méliès The

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