The podcast highlights a humorous robotic marathon in Beijing, showcasing the evolving capabilities of robots in a competitive setting.
A groundbreaking non-planar slicing method in 3D printing enables support-free upside-down printing, pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing.
A budget-friendly Raspberry Pi-based LiDAR scanner project illustrates technological advancements, making detailed spatial mapping accessible to educators and hobbyists.
Deep dives
Robot Marathon Highlights
In an unconventional competition held in Beijing, robots participated in a marathon alongside human runners, showcasing their evolving capabilities. Out of the 21 robots, only six managed to finish, raising humorous concerns about an impending robot uprising. The event served as a stress test for robotic performance rather than a practical demonstration of their potential to replace human jobs. Observers noted the amusing sight of robots adorned in running gear, emphasizing the novelty and experimental spirit behind the challenge.
Innovations in 3D Printing
A groundbreaking project has emerged in the realm of 3D printing, featuring a non-planar slicing method that allows objects to be printed upside down without the need for support structures. This innovative technique involves a Python script that unwinds and reformats the model for printing while maintaining the necessary geometrical data. The demonstration of printing a 'Benchy' boat upside down highlights the continued evolution of 3D printing technology, despite potential complexities regarding layer strength and grain orientation. This project exemplifies the creative possibilities available in additive manufacturing, pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques.
DIY Record Lathe Creation
An impressive do-it-yourself project involves building a high-quality record cutting lathe using a modified DJ turntable and custom CNC mechanisms. This lathe is capable of recording stereo sound with precision, illustrating the blend of art and engineering in audio production. The creator successfully utilized commercially available vinyl blanks, showcasing the accessibility of materials for such projects. The resulting audio samples demonstrate the quality achievable through this DIY approach, inspiring enthusiasts in the audio and music production communities.
Affordable LiDAR Scanning
A revolutionary project showcases a budget-friendly LiDAR scanner built with a Raspberry Pi and high-resolution sensors, capable of generating detailed 360-degree point clouds. The setup involves a servo-driven scanner that collects data alongside photographs, allowing for comprehensive spatial mapping. Using accessible software, the project stitches together images to enhance the visualization of the scanned area. This initiative underlines the advancements in LiDAR technology and its decreasing affordability, expanding opportunities for educators, hobbyists, and professionals alike.
Compliant Robot Gripper Design
Researchers at the University of San Diego have developed a unique compliant robot gripper that leverages a spring steel measuring tape to manipulate objects with precision. This innovative design allows the gripper to pick up items, unscrew lids, and adapt to various shapes while providing necessary compliance. The gripper's functionality demonstrates the potential of flexible materials in robotic applications, enhancing the robot's ability to interact with its environment. This project exemplifies the creativity inherent in robotics and encourages further exploration of compliant mechanisms in automated systems.
This week Elliot Williams was joined by fellow Europe-based Hackaday staffer Jenny List, to record the Hackaday Podcast as the dusk settled on a damp spring evening.
On the agenda first was robotic sport, as a set of bipedal robots competed in a Chinese half-marathon. Our new Robot overlords may have to wait a while before they are fast enough chase us meatbags away, but it demonstrated for us how such competitions can be used to advance the state of the art.
The week's stand-out hacks included work on non-planar slicing to improve strength of 3D prints. It's safe to say that the Cartesian 3D printer has matured as a device, but this work proves there's plenty more in the world of 3D printing to be developed. Then there was a beautiful record cutting lathe project, far more than a toy and capable of producing good quality stereo recordings. Meanwhile it's always good to see the price of parts come down, and this time it's the turn of LIDAR sensors. There's a Raspberry Pi project capable of astounding resolution, for a price that wouldn't have been imaginable only recently. Finally we retrned to 3D printing, with an entirely printable machine, including the motors and the hot end. It's a triumph of printed engineering, and though it's fair to say that you won't be using it to print anything for yourself, we expect some of the very clever techniques in use to feature in many other projects.
The week's cant-miss articles came from Maya Posch with a reality check for lovers of physical media, and Dan Maloney with a history of x-ray detection.
You'll find all the links over at Hackaday!
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