There's no doubt
Bug Labs is
getting closer to launching its open source modular gadget kits, but for those wondering when we'd see some physical hardware, today's your lucky day. We got a chance to check out an early
BUGbase unit and the full complement of BUGmodules. While we didn't get to see it up and running, we did get to fool around with the whole experience of plugging (and unplugging) modules, and got a good feel for how things work. Some details:
- The BUGbase uses a bus with four module slots. Each module has a base size of 2 x 2-inches (meaning the BUGbase itself is ~4 x 2-inches).
- Multiple BUGbases can be physically conjoined and communicate wirelessly for greater than four simultaneous devices, but there is no system for bus expansion of a single BUGbase.
- While it can charge via USB, there's also a backup power input should you use the USB for an external peripheral.
- Bug settled on MMCmicro instead of microSD because it's open source. We're torn about this one. We get it, but really, who the hell has any MMCmicro cards laying around?
- Yeah, that's a standard camera mount you see on the side. Nice addition.
- The modules we looked at included a display, GPS receiver, motion detector, digital camera, and 3G radio. Obviously those are just a few listed on the site.
- The LCD module apparently uses the exact same QVGA LCD panel as the iPod classic. If that matters at all to you.
- The module plastics are colored according to purpose: input, output, or input-output. For example, the light blue modules are output only (like the 3G module above); dark blue modules are input-output (like a touchscreen), while white modules are input only (GPS receiver, etc.).
- Yeah, they made a Hiro Protagonist reference.
- Still no price / exact launch details, but we're obviously getting close.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paul Barwick @ Nov 1st 2007 7:34PM
"Each module has a base size of 2 x 2-inches (meaning the BUGbase itself is ~4 x 2-inches)."
Wouldn't that be 4 x 2 inches?
Paul Barwick @ Nov 1st 2007 7:35PM
Damn, even I got it wrong. I meant to say Wouldn't that be 8 x 2 inches?
Ryan Block @ Nov 1st 2007 7:46PM
Each module is 2 x 2, and it's two modules next to each other, two modules per side. That's 4 x 2-inches, double-sided.
Samurai Jack @ Nov 1st 2007 7:35PM
The Deliverator would not be caught dead with such an fugly item in his possession...
Jesse S @ Nov 1st 2007 7:38PM
Meh.
Sirocco @ Nov 1st 2007 7:39PM
What the hell is this?
Tom @ Nov 1st 2007 7:52PM
A modular failure.
scolen2 @ Nov 2nd 2007 5:20AM
A modular failure, FTW!
HBKDinobot @ Nov 1st 2007 8:00PM
yes what the hell is this thing?
Esther @ Nov 1st 2007 8:06PM
1) This thing is cool, and I want one.
2) That said the average consumer is not going to want a square, bulky, mismatched thing such as this.
3) It would make a good learning tool for mobile programmers.
Loonie @ Nov 1st 2007 8:54PM
It's like... computer Lego. I like it.
john @ Nov 1st 2007 8:56PM
Cool! I'd buy one.
1 x EVDO module
1 x battery module
1 x double sized module for 2.5" hdd
Assuming the built-in wifi can act as an access point, or there's a bluetooth module (in the EVDO module, or in the base unit) so I can do bluetooth DUN and bluetooth FTP.
Put it in my backpack or briefcase, and I've got a portable access point for my Nokia N800 or Nokia N810.
It might also be good to have a module for an express card slot and/or PCMCIA/PC-card slot, if it has drivers for the various cards that Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and T-mobile sell.
huh @ Nov 1st 2007 9:36PM
wow, I dreamed about exactly this just over a year ago (http://wiki.zooid.org/wiki/An_ideal_gadget) and here it is. I need to read up on it, hopefully it is using standard buses (eg usb), then there can be a nice market of cross vendor gadget components. It will be a while though, and size will always be an issue compared to integrated devices.
MattNico @ Nov 1st 2007 9:46PM
This is definitely an idea that will not go mainstream but I could see it becoming a Geeky status symbol; a way for the geek (i.e. me) to express himself. "EVDO, eh? I went for the WiMAX myself..."
This is a major step forward and I can't wait to get mine (since I'm a student that'll probably be a few years).
ether @ Nov 1st 2007 11:56PM
I think this is cool as hell...with some time and programming skills you could do all kinds of fun things with something like this. User imagination and customization needs to be included in more gadgets and tools...geeky or not, wasting countless hours on something like this would keep me out of the trouble I generally cause myself
Something like this would be an awesome educational tool for schools if they were set up right too.
McFly @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:26AM
man, this was my concept and they beat me to it... i know you'll say this has been around for a while now, but trust me i really did think of it before they did...
oh well
McFly @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:28AM
this is a reminder to everyone, don't procrastinate..
dunn @ Jan 17th 2008 12:45AM
I thought of the internet way before they did.
tim @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:39AM
wouldnt a touchscreen output visual data?
The Pepto Pimp @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:25AM
Touchscreen is I/O. Oh, wait, were you joking?
Seriously, I want one of these, or two. Fun, useful and educational. I'm on the mailing list but somehow missed recent announcements.
This is trick.
tim @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:41AM
duh nevermind... my brain is not outputing.
xlandaux @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:19AM
the braille is a cool touch but overall this unit looks a little hodg-podge...
deedeedee @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:26PM
i want a razor and tooth brush module, a motion sensing module would be nice too
David Knox @ Nov 4th 2007 10:59PM
This is similar to products already out there. What about the Virtual Cogs (http://www.virtualcogs.com/) that have been on the market for >1yr already?
Turn_self_off @ Nov 5th 2007 2:10PM
From what i can tell the cog's dont come with a housing, the bug does. Imo thats a plus on the bug's side.
David Knox @ Nov 5th 2007 6:34PM
Hi Turn_self_off, not entirely true.
Have a look at their portable computing COG. It has a nice enclosure to go with it. http://www.virtualcogs.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=59 -- I think the key advantage here is that you can stack pretty much as much as you want on these, rather than limited to the 4 devices of Bugs.
Anyways, its hard for any of us to comment right now because we haven't seen the BugLabs stuff in person yet. Ill likely pick one up to play with regardless...
turn_self_off @ Nov 5th 2007 6:53PM
my impression was that one could connect multiple bugbases together to form larger devices. also, there is this:
http://www.buglabs.net/images/press/community_apps_med.jpg
i suspect that the 4+base is just the start.
and yes, i see the enclosure entry. looks like i missed it on first pass. still, i cant really make heads or tails of the image that accompanies it.
mathew johnson @ Nov 6th 2007 5:37PM
The point of Bug Labs is more of a development tool/platform - but for hardware - not ultimately meant to be widespread end-user devices - the idea is to let technical people build innovative hardware faster by combining some of their own custom work with other pre-existing modules in interesting and non-obvious ways - just as happens with web development these days. The best combinations could then be distilled down into a non-modular refined version for end users. That's a pretty big idea!
-Mathew Johnson
http://www.blist.com/
dave grix @ Nov 29th 2007 4:26PM
If you are looking to develop software for the BUG then join www.bugmodules.co.uk