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Georgia Tech researchers teach robots to be mechanical MacGyvers
There weren't many sticky situations that '80s television action hero MacGyver couldn't slip out of with the help of a disposable lighter, penknife and two tabs of Alka Seltzer. His unconventional application of scientific principles and outside the box thinking were what made him such a formidable opponent week after week. Now, a team of researchers from Georgia Tech's RAIL research lab is working to impart those same survival skills into robots.
Georgia Tech receives $900,000 grant from Office of Naval Research to develop 'MacGyver' robot
Robots come in many flavors. There's the subservient kind, the virtual representative, the odd one with an artistic bent, and even robo-cattle. But, typically, they all hit the same roadblock: they can only do what they are programmed to do. Of course, there are those that posses some AI smarts, too, but Georgia Tech wants to take this to the next level, and build a 'bot that can interact with its environment on the fly. The project hopes to give machines deployed in disaster situations the ability to find objects in their environment for use as tools, such as placing a chair to reach something high, or building bridges from debris. The idea builds on previous work where robots learned to moved objects out of their way, and developing an algorithm that allows them to identify items, and asses its usefulness as a tool. This would be backed up by some programming, to give the droids a basic understanding of rigid body mechanics, and how to construct motion plans. The Office of Navy Research's interest comes from potential future applications, working side-by-side with military personnel out on missions, which along with iRobot 110, forms the early foundations for the cyber army of our childhood imaginations.
Pentagon starts Phoenix trial to harvest defunct satellites, MacGyver new ones from orbit
The Phoenix Frankenprogram to harvest the corpses of expired satellites and cobble together new ones seemed like one of DARPA's more daft ideas, but this one has actually kicked off its first phase of development. The plan is to first launch a service craft -- replete with robotic arms and enough processing horsepower to work independently if needed -- followed by the tiny base-unit skeleton satlets. The service mothership would dip into an orbital area called the "graveyard", grabbing pre-chosen cadavers and picking off usable parts, especially valuable antenna arrays, with its robo-limbs. Those parts would be jury-rigged to the bare-bones units, creating usable Pentagon satellites and saving the $10,000 per pound launch cost. So far, a $2.5 million contract to develop the needed technology has been put in place, and bids for the no-frills satlets went out last week. Plenty of dirty work is still needed, so check the video after the break to see if the overly-elaborate plan can un-moot $300 billion of orbiting cold metal.
Multitouch surface made out of box, webcam, and glass
Want your own multitouch control surface? Have a webcam, cardboard box, and photo frame? The folks at Hacknmod MacGyvered their own with just those materials. By simply pairing a fixed camera and controlled light surface, they were able to mimic what others have paid hundreds for, albeit in a decidedly less attractive package. Peep the somewhat uncomfortably porn-like vid after the break. Oh, and seriously, Hacknmod guys, what's with the sexy techno and slow-mo insertion of the USB cable?[Thanks Dan S]
Alone in the Dark tech demo shows gameplay, actual enemies
Finally, the rumors that the latest chapter in the Alone in the Dark series would be completely devoid of all life have been squelched by a tech demo for the game, released today. Not only does the video show off the intriguing "Real World Rules" engine (not to be confused with the Real World/Road Rules engine), it gives a small (okay, minuscule) sampling of some of the enemies you'll be going toe to toe with as you wander through Central Park like an acid-addled tourist.Alright, we're done making fun of this game. Between the gorgeous lighting, the innovative inventory management system, and the seemingly endless weapon creation capabilities the game will provide, we must say that our interest is piqued. Hopefully the next episode in the series of tech demos will shed light on further Macgyverisms.
Hacked PlayStation Eye does desktop VR
Yeah, we know an extremely similar program using a Wiimote was shown off a little over a month ago (OMG SoNy riped of Nitendo!!), but Wiis are still pretty hard to come by -- that's why we're sure many of you will appreciate the hard work of Thomas Miller, who has created an immersive desktop VR display using a PS3 dev kit, a PlayStation Eye, and a few homemade tools. Seriously, this guy is appears to be the MacGyver of peripheral modification, only without the debonair charm of Richard Dean Anderson.It appears Miller wouldn't mind sharing this cool bit of technology with interested developers, so again we ask: How 'bout it, Sony?
The MacGyver multitool
Don't laugh, this is serious business. Just last week we were totally there when Richard Dean Anderson had to use a MacGyver multitool to rewire the ignition of the single-prop plane that delivered us all safely out of a Bolivian hostage situation. We're not even kidding, go ask him.
WoW Moviewatch: WoW Gyver
Though this video was recently posted on YouTube, based on its content, I presume it was released prior to The Burning Crusade. (I can't tell you why without giving away the ending, though!) It is, however, still hilarious. Previously on Moviewatch...
Widget Watch: Macgyverisms
I have found a use for Dashboard and its name is Macgyverisms. This pointless widget provides you with one of 200 ideas from MacGyver himself to get out of a sticky situation. The next time I am in the woods with only a rosary and a slingshot, I'll know what to do. Will you?[via Lifehacker]
