Ex Machina

Holy smokes! - This looks good and scary all at the same time... It will be interesting to see if it is pro/anti or neutral regarding robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). It will also explore Turing Test questions - it looks like.

Ex Machina is in theaters now - wonder if it will make it here? If not, I guess that means quicker to video and owning a copy.

The official website is here and is fun to look around. It includes a page called Ava Sessions - a interactive piece of AI software. As regards the Touring Test, would this software fool you?

This film is rated R though and looks like it should be! IMDb info is here.

Here is the trailer.

A Bit of a "Robot" Problem

Another fun video from "erco" on the Parallax Forums. Needless to say, he's got a bit of a "Robot" problem! ;-) Sadly, there are many men and women like him. The first step is admitting you have a problem. Maybe we could start a support group?

Saving this video here for the next time somebody gives me the the stink-eye... NOT that I have a problem.

Louisiana Tech

Louisiana Tech's College of Engineering and Science has some really great programs in Engineering and Computer Science. The school is only 30 minutes from Monroe and is a fantastic resource in our area.

One the innovative programs in the Engineering Department is called "Living with the Lab." Using micro-controllers and robots (Originally the Parallax BOE Bot and now the Parallax Shield Bot with Arduino), the students get to experiment on their own - carry the lab with them - to immerse themselves in their work.

Their Computer Science program is very strong too and they have the country's first Cyber Engineering program which integrates Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. Great stuff. They also have "Living with Cyber" program where each student lives with a Raspberry Pi...

Old Robot Movie Posters

My Parallax Forum friend erco found a couple of cool old movie posters and shared them in the thread here. They are posted below so you can have a look. Same movie - on version in Spanish!

A couple of more I found...These are so much fun!

Multi Servo Tester

Multi Servo Tester 3CH ECS Consistency Master Checker Speed Controler CCPM SS - Just picked up two of these on ebay! They are only $1.45 with free shipping! How do they do that?

Description:

Features:
CCPM Servo Consistency Master / Servo tester
The device also can be used as a signal generator for electric speed controller (ESC), then you can test your motor system without using a transmitter and receiver.
There are 3 modes to check servos or ESC:
Manual mode: turn the knob with different speed, check the reaction time.
Neutral mode: make the servo go back to the neutral point.
Automatic \"window wiper\" mode: make the servo swing like a window wipers in the biggest angle.
It can connect 1-3 servos simultaneously and test such as 1-3 servos consistency and so on.
You can also connect 1-3 ESC to test and compare their reaction time respectively.
It can connect 3 servos of the CCPM helicopters and select servos.
It can also connect the servo of airplanes install the steering-box and adjust planes by using such as the neutral mode and so on.

Specification:
Voltage consumption: DC4.8-6V 
Size: 48 x 42 x 17mm 
Original box: NO
Color: Blue
Item size: 48*42*17 mm
Net weight: 7g
Package weight: 13g

Ping)))Dar - A Radar Style Display

An oldie but goodie from 2006 with Jessica and Andy Lindsay at Parallax! Thanks erco for finding this thread on the Parallax Forums here - http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/86110-Ping)))Dar-a-Radar-Style-Display?p=590115#post590115

More great Stamps in Class "Mini Projects" can be found here - http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/82013-Stamps-in-Class-quot-Mini-Projects-quot

Easter 2015

Hoping some robotic fun hops your way this Easter. Have a blessed Easter with your family and friends and thanks for faithfully checking in here during the past year.

Remember that the very best achievements follow failure.
"Keep moving forward..."