Author: John

Optical Mouse as Motion Sensor

Mouse camera image
This is darn cool, use an optical mouse as a position sensor.
From the site: “Most optical mice are based on a technology where a small sensor take a small microscopic picture of the surface and detects the mouse movement by mathematically comparing sequential images. ”
This could make a dandy white line/direction sensor for a robot.
Interface to Optical Mouse Sensor
I suppose someone could also make a barcode scanner out of an optical mouse with little work… Humm….

Biped Robot Kit!

KHR-1
As seen in many robot contests in Japan, the bipedal walking robots are now avaliable in America.
KHR-1
The price sounds high but if you look at what’s in it, its a good deal. Um, yes, it makes a fine birthday gift as well as a cool platform for robotic development. 🙂

Argus C3

Tested out my Argus C3 ‘brick’ today. Results are good except that the close focus is all messed up. If I use the rangefinder to focus on something close, say five foot away its totaly blurry and the background is crisp when I look at the print. 30 foot and on is fine, nice and sharp. I guess its yet another project to start on.

Debate

Spongebob
I asked my 11 year old daughter Alex what she thought of the presidential debates and she said she would rather see a debate between Spongebob and Patrick. I thought about that for a while and realized that she could be right. I think that come Novemeber we will be faced with either voting for a pink starfish or a yellow sponge… I think I’ll vote for Plankton.