More on Mai-Z from Ken

A couple of videos about the Mai-Z MouseBot from Ken Gracey at Parallax Inc.   

Parallax and Kitronik - Mai-Z MouseBot

Great news from our friend Ken at parallax.com in a recent news post. Ken shares...

Dear Educational Community,

For several years, we’ve been carefully considering the best way to support elementary educators using the micro:bit with robotics. Our goal has been simple: provide a reliable, engaging, and classroom-ready robotics solution for younger learners—without compromise.

We’re excited to share that we’ve found it! Parallax has partnered with Kitronik to bring the Mai‑Z MouseBot to our educational customers across the United States.

Why the Mai-Z MouseBot?

We evaluated many options—including designing our own product. But Mai-Z checked every box that matters to educators:

• Flexible programming options
  Screen-free tile coding or micro:bit programming with MakeCode
• Trusted design origin
  Developed by a known, established company—not an anonymous, ever-changing import from Amazon.
• Curriculum that’s ready to teach
  Free, structured, and supported—with a growing ecosystem
• Reliable long-term supplier partnership for Parallax
  Kitronik is a supplier we trust to support educators for years to come so you won’t be left with broken products on a shelf.
• A natural successor to S3
  A modern replacement for the S3 robot in elementary programs
• Accessible pricing
  Under $100, with full Parallax warranty and support
• Designed for engagement
  Built to capture student attention—even during breaks—and help teachers
  “Be the Classroom They Remember.”

Mai-Z MouseBot meets our elementary needs. We’re bringing this proven solution to you this Spring, with Parallax support. Expect to see the packages and prices by May 2026. 

Congrats to Kitronik. We look forward to many years of mouse-catching classrooms!

Sincerely, 

Ken Gracey
Parallax Inc. 

From 60 Minutes Overtime

How Boston Dynamics upgraded the Atlas robot - Atlas, a humanoid robot made by robotics company Boston Dynamics, has been upgraded from a version 60 Minutes saw in 2021, with joints that can fully rotate and hands that can grip a variety of objects.

Humanoid Robot in China Causes Confusion

A robot unveiled in China moved so much like a human that the company had to release a video after its debut to prove it is, in fact, a machine.

Uh, oh!

 

Behind the Scenes of a Classic

Brigitte Helm cooling off on the set of Fritz Lang's ''Metropolis''  in 1927. Great photo! See the bottom of the sidebar on the right for my hat tip to the film. 

If you have never seen the film, which is in black and white, here are some colorized excerpts from Rumble Dog Pictures on YouTube. What a powerful film for 1927! 

You can watch an HD Restoration of Metropolis, Fritz Lang's Expressionist Sci-Fi Silent Film Classic at this link on YouTube - https://youtu.be/9lzmO8pwDaI?si=YbuIWup4Xm4Mmg4e

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas from Robotics Under the Stole (8 bit Style)

Parallax's Super sized cyber:bot Build Overview

I find this work and creativity so inspiring!

Full story here - https://www.parallax.com/super-sized-cyberbot-working-model-details/

Happy Easter!

 Happy Easter from Robotics Under the Stole!

Updates on Orion’s Journey in Space – 11/29/22

Updates on Orion’s Journey in Space – 11/29/22

So exciting. Lots of great images!

More information is here -https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/#late

Good Night Oppy

 Count me in for Good Night Oppy!

The documentary film from Prime Video follows Opportunity, the Mars Exploration Rover affectionately dubbed Oppy by her creators and scientists at NASA. Oppy was originally expected to live for only 90 days but she ultimately explored Mars for nearly 15 years.

More information is available here at NPR's Morning Edition - "'Good Night Oppy' is the Feel Good Space Film You Need"

Ten Years!

From NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory 

"Here at JPL, we like to Dare Mighty Things. 

NASA’s Curiosity Mars Rover has certainly done that and more in its 10 years on the Red Planet. 

Download a copy of this striking commemorative poster at go.nasa.gov/3vL9d4V - and learn more about the mission's first decade of discoveries at go.nasa.gov/3A0cvnv"

Check it out!

60 Minutes: Ingenuity & Perseverance, Dynamic Robots, eVTOLs

On Sunday July 3 2022, CBS's Anderson Cooper hosted an episode of 60 Minutes titled “60 Minutes Presents: Looking Toward the Future” featuring three stories – Ingenuity and Perseverance, Dynamic Robots, and eVTOLs.

Click the links above to watch the individual segments. 

Grillbot - BBQ Grill Cleaning Made Easy

 Grillbot - BBQ Grill Cleaning Made Easy - Why didn't I think of this? For more information, click here. 

Memorial Day Sale!

Great news from Parallax - What a wonderful and generous idea! Parallax is my favorite!

Check out ALL the sales items here - https://www.parallax.com/parallax-to-donate-5-of-memorial-day-sales-to-veterans-matter/

On this Memorial Day Weekend, please give thanks and remember those who currently serve, and who have served, and most importantly, say a prayer for those who gave their lives in the service of our country! 

 

Finch

This may be the greatest robot movie ever made. I don't why it took me so long to watch it. I hope one day to own a copy. "An epic adventure is on the horizon. Meet Finch, a man who takes his unconventional family on the journey to hope and humanity. Check out this first look at Finch, streaming now on Apple TV+" Right now streaming is the only option to see this film.

IMDb says, "On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a robot, built to protect the life of his creator's beloved dog learns about life, love, friendship and what it means to be human." More at IMDb here -https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3420504/

See also...

Robotic Celebration!

 Yesterday was my birthday, and my sister made me this wonderful robot birthday cake! 

Can't Help Myself

Too Many Robot Tests? - GEICO Insurance

Can there ever be too many robot tests?

The latest GEICO asks, "Ever wonder if an actual robot could pass a robot authentication test?" Testing robots and artificial intelligence is exactly how we make them better. I can guarantee, that one day, a robot will be able to pass these sorts of tests! That is not something to fear though!

Roboteer!

My friend and fellow roboticist, Carol Lynn Hazlett has her own YouTube Channel. She is now 75!