November 2013
Servo Magazine
Human Augmentation
Features
The Road to the DARPA Robotics Challenge — Part 3
This time, the team discusses mechanical changes, the biped systems, and using the Gazebo simulator as they continue work on Watson.
Get Your Motors Runnin’
Spinning a couple of motor shafts and positioning a hobby servo has never been easier. The combination of the Digilent motor shield, 32-bit Uno32, and ready-to-roll MPIDE motor shield library takes all of the pain out of robotic motor control.
Eye-Ears — My Interactive Looking/Hearing Robot
Sometimes it’s important to build a robot just for fun and entertainment for both ourselves and others.
Projects
Build the Plastic Bot of Destruction — Part 1
Now that we’ve wrapped up our series on 3D printers, we’re going to build a fighting robot with them.
Making Better Arduino Robots with the ArdBot— Part 4
In this final installment, we’ll take a $2 TV remote and command the ArdBot to do our bidding from a distance.
Columns
GeerHead
by David Geer
The Famous Robots of Derek Scherer
This is why robotics is so cool ... you can go from working on top secret Army bots to making animatronics for blockbuster movies.
Ask Mr. Roboto
by Dennis Clark
Your Problems Solved Here 11.2013
A closer look at LEGO’s new EV3 robot.
Then and Now
by Tom Carroll
Human Augmentation
The concept of exoskeletons is not new. Read about where we’ve been and where we’re going with devices that enhance human performance.
Robytes
by Jeff Eckert
Stimulating Robot Tidbits 11.2013
• VTOL Anything • Lots of Pickin’, No Grinnin’ • ETF Indexes Automation Industry • Razing a Stink
Combat Zone
SPECIAL REPORT: Judge Dave’s Guide to Winning
in The Combat ZoneThese words of wisdom are direct from robot master Dave Calkins. Ignore them at your peril.
EVENT REPORT: DragonCon Robot Battles 2013
in The Combat ZoneRobot Battles 47 took place over Labor Day weekend during DragonCon in Atlanta, GA. At DragonCon, Robot Battles consists of two independent events.
EVENT REPORT: DragonCon Robot Micro Battles 2013
in The Combat ZoneHere’s how the smaller bots fared at Robot Battles this year. Thirteen Antweights and 15 Beetleweights competed in the Micro Battles event. Both classes had a diverse selection of machines competing for the win.
THEN AND NOW: Carlo Bertocchini
When it comes to the glory days of televised robot combat, few competitors can beat Carlo Bertocchini's record.