BUG Labs intros BUGvonHippel, talks up big plans for CES

BUG Labs has a special place in our hearts, so it's actually kind of astounding to look back and realize that we haven't heard anything substantial from the outfit since March. Big things are in store for the new year, however, and it's getting things rolling right away with the introduction of the $79 BUGvonHippel. Named after Professor Eric von Hippel at MIT who inspired its creation, the device "further enables developers to create new and interesting 'hardware mashups' by connecting their BUG to a universe of other devices and interfaces." Also of note, there's a new community portal opening up for eager developers, and the BUG Labs team will be bringing a so-called Test Kitchen to the CES floor in Vegas to show off some of the developments we've been missing out on.

[KAIKAI @ Dec 21st 2008 7:21PM]

wait so what does this do ??

[gonintendo @ Dec 21st 2008 7:31PM]

stuff.

[drumdbeat @ Dec 21st 2008 7:36PM]

"You can plug in sensors, connections with wires, or anything with a USB!"

Read link is your friend.

[kriscolumbus @ Dec 21st 2008 7:45PM]

Okay, I really don't get it.

[Nytrojen @ Dec 21st 2008 7:51PM]

It made me chuckle at the name

[drumdbeat @ Dec 21st 2008 7:51PM]

"BUG is a collection of easy-to-use electronic modules that snap together to build any gadget you can imagine. Each BUGmodule represents a specific gadget function (ex: a camera, a keyboard, a video output, etc.). You decide which functions to include and BUG takes care of the rest, letting you try out different combinations quickly and easily. With BUG and the integrated programming environment/online community (BUGnet), anyone can build, program and share innovative devices and applications. We don’t define the final products – you do."

This paticular module lets you plug in pretty much anything that would work as a sensor via USB.

[STINK @ Dec 21st 2008 9:24PM]

Robots?

[JerseyBricklayer @ Dec 22nd 2008 1:04AM]

I thought it was gonna enable ide to usb. damn.

[JerseyBricklayer @ Dec 22nd 2008 2:48AM]

Does it enable ide to usb?

[Steve @ Dec 21st 2008 7:42PM]

Doesn't Arduino already do something very similar? Just without fancy cases?

[drumdbeat @ Dec 21st 2008 7:52PM]

Pretty much.

[Steve @ Dec 21st 2008 8:46PM]

I'm supposing it overcomes "something" that arduino doesn't solve, then. If not, I'm baffled as to the value of this product. Its around the same price without all the support from communities that surround the competitors.

If they are aiming this at a hacker community, they already have to contend with tons of microcontroller kits out there, propeller, arduino, even nxt and vex. Even I know of these products already, even though I totally suck at hardware development. Am I missing something really big about this product???

[Steve @ Dec 21st 2008 8:57PM]

Oh, I see. I guess it's a bit more portable and has a better processor.

[Stinky @ Dec 21st 2008 8:00PM]

Bug p0rn!

[username @ Dec 21st 2008 8:10PM]

is that braille?

[N30 G30 @ Dec 21st 2008 8:41PM]

Yeah it says VONHIPPEL. it's upside down though.

[michael rogers @ Dec 21st 2008 10:17PM]

SETEC ASTRONOMY

[kingu @ Dec 21st 2008 10:34PM]

Ripple voltage on the nipple vonHipple, yeees?

[dM @ Dec 21st 2008 11:22PM]

It abstracts "converts" a number of the common sensor/ic communication protocols (i2c,2wire,spi,etc...) into a common implementation (bug labs wrapped USB I assume) that is easy for the user to apply.

[Portaman @ Dec 21st 2008 11:46PM]

> "BUG is a collection of easy-to-use electronic modules that snap together to build any gadget you can imagine"

I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit. Now excuse me, I'm off to lay the Princess.

[dj-kenpo @ Dec 22nd 2008 12:45AM]

engadget posts about this a fair amount, but if you google tryign to find bug, other than their own page, there's not really much out there. not much community excitment at the ting or anyone doing 'awesome' projects.

seems easier to develop an ipod touch app and use the serial out to connect to a micronctroller. or use audrino, or etc etc etc.

seems a little to glossy for hacking. Like I'd be afraid at scratchign the plastic or gettign glue from tape all over it. seems to miss the mark on many counts.

[bebop @ Dec 22nd 2008 2:08AM]

Presumably they get sent the press releases.

I agree, this has an air of "oh, this is really neat ... except I have no idea what to do with it". Even one of the more interesting applications: "Detects motion, takes a snapshot, geo-tags it, and uploads it to user’s flickr account." would seem to be better left to security hardware dedicated to the task.

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:02AM]

Actually I gave him the idea, not this von winkle or whatever his name is. It would just be too hard for the Buglabs people to admit that it was a comcast tech that gave them the idea. Oh well so much for recognition.

[Idlemind @ Dec 22nd 2008 9:33AM]

Whats written on the top in Braille? and WHY?

[BradS @ Dec 22nd 2008 11:34AM]

What's with the IDE connector?