Just ran across an ad for a robot I haven’t seen before: Ozobot.
Looks to be geared towards teaching kids programming.
More info at: http://shop.ozobot.com/
This video explains why we have reached the end of Moore’s Law and what Quantum Computers are and how they work.
Who hid a backdoor in a popular corporate VPN program?
from: The Institute (IEEE)
By KATHY PRETZ 1 December 2015
Members are making it possible for all your appliances and devices to communicate with each other
That once-futuristic vision of a home full of smart gadgets that anticipate our needs, keep us healthy, and save us money is slowly taking shape. Thermostats now learn our preferred settings and schedule, lights turn on and off as we come and go, and refrigerators adjust their temperatures according to how much food they hold.
Such applications make the home a bit smarter, but they’re not really intelligent. That’s because most home-automation devices are loners: They don’t work with each other. They’re made by different manufacturers, and by the way, they lack privacy and security protection. IEEE is working with industry to build an architecture that provides connectivity; simultaneously, it is developing standards and addressing security concerns.
“The smart home is a great example of where many technology and business domains start interacting and leveraging the Internet of Things,” says IEEE Member Oleg Logvinov, chair of the IEEE P2413 Standard for an Architectural Framework for the Internet of Things Working Group. “IoT probably represents the biggest tidal wave in technology development since the industrial revolution.”
Published on Nov 16, 2015
Computer science is a foundational field that opens doors for all boys and girls. Starring Sheryl Sandberg, Jasmine Lawrence, Karlie Kloss, May-Li Khoe, Mia Epner, Alice Steinglass, Jess Lee, Jessica Alba, Paola Mejía Minaya, Malala Yousafzai, and Susan Wojcicki.
Start learning at http://code.org/
Yet another robotic gift guide for 2015, this one done by IEEE, can be found at IEEE Spectrum – 2015 Robot Gift Guide
In short, their list includes:
Drones
Robot Toys and Kits
Home Robotics
From: Robotics Trends
By Steve Crowe December 11, 2015
A major step forward has been taken in the movement to sanction robotics as an official sport in high schools across the country. FIRST and BEST Robotics have partnered with the University Interscholastic League (UIL) to launch sanctioned robotics competitions throughout Texas that will end in two statewide championships – one in the fall and one in the spring.
The Texas robotics pilot program, and similar initiatives in Connecticut and Minnesota, allow for high school robotics teams to be recognized as official sports teams and receive similar support of other activities. These benefits include extracurricular program structures; the active support of school executives, teachers and community leaders; and the opportunity to apply for varsity sports letters for high performance.
“There is a clear need to prepare today’s students for the jobs of tomorrow, many of which are STEM-related,” UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt said. “STEM is a top priority for UIL, and FIRST and BEST have a proven track record of success in preparing students for a future in STEM careers through robotics competition.”
These efforts come at a critical time as STEM occupations are growing 1.7 times faster than non-STEM careers in the United States, according to the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Houston Chronicle reported “that less than 20 percent of all high schools in Texas have a robotics program,” adding that the “new UIL distinction could help smaller school districts get in on the growing science, technology, engineering and math field.”
Scott Rippetoe, who runs the robotics program for the Conroe Independent School District, said the official designation will help get more students interested in – and aware of – robotics as an extracurricular option. Conroe introduced its robotics team in 1997, Rippetoe said, and the team now has 65 students.
“I’ve been doing robotics for so long that to have the district get on board, having the UIL designation adds to that. It’s like robotics is coming of age,” Rippetoe told The Houston Chronicle.
Meanwhile in Georgia, coding will soon be among the core requirements for high school graduation. The State Board of Education is expected to approve standards for three new computer science courses – Embedded Computing, Web Development, and Game Design: Animation and Simulation – that students can substitute for math, science or foreign language credits.
“Robotics is a sport for the 21st century. The skills students can learn, including teamwork, collaboration and problem solving, are the same as those learned in other sports but unlike most sports, robotics provides all students – no matter their background or physical ability – the opportunity to become a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) professional,” said FIRST President Donald E. Bossi. “That’s why FIRST believes all states should recognize the hard work of students, Coaches and Mentors with statewide support.”
Looking for the perfect robot toy for your child? Here are the hottest robot toys for the 2015 Christmas season that are entertaining and educational.
From: http://www.roboticstrends.com/
By Steve Crowe
Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for the techie on your holiday shopping list? We’ve selected our pick of the best robot toys that are likely to have a fun, educational impact due to their cutting-edge features.
Whether you are looking for a toy that provides a pure fun factor, a toy that can teach logic and programming or a toy that could be a companion, these robot toys are sure to
be the perfect fit for people of all ages. We’d love to own every robot on the list, and you should too.
Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid
The Star Wars BB-8 app-enabled Droid ($150) has an adaptive personality that changes as you play. Set it to patrol and watch your Droid explore autonomously, make up your own adventure and guide BB-8 yourself, or create and view holographic videos.
The BB-8, which is built by Sphero, can be controlled via smartphone or table and it responds to your voice.
Anki OverDrive Robot Racecars
Anki Overdrive ($150 for Starter Kit) is the second-generation of the popular robot racecars, debuting new cars, apps, new gameplay features and a new modular track system that lets users create custom racetracks.
It also is the first time the product series allows iOS and Android users to battle eachother can now for the first time battle each other.
A new modular track system allows you to clip together track pieces by connecting magnets. The Anki Overdrive kit comes with 10 track pieces that allow you to create eight tracks.
Ozobot Bit 2.0
One of the world’s smallest programmable robot toys, Ozobot 2.0 Bit ($69.95) is designed to teach kids how to program with an intuitive color-based programming language.Ozobot Bit can sense colored lines, detect patterns such as intersections, read flashing light codes, and execute a total of 500 commands.
Ozobot Bit is basically identical to the original Ozobot, offering all the same capabilities, but it adds in Google’s Blockly coding editor. The idea is to have kids expand their coding know-how and see the results unfold in front of them in near real-time.
The programming is done on a mobile device, either iOS or Android. Once the coding is complete, just put Ozobot Bit on the corresponding surface and hit a button and the Ozobot app will immediately communicate the commands to the robot
Cubelets
Cubelets ($160) are robot blocks that make it fast and easy to engage children as young as four in learning by building robots. You don’t need to know anything about coding, all you do is snap the robot blocks together and the magnetic faces do the rest.
Perhaps the best part is the included Brick Adapters connect to your favorite brick-based construction systems such as Lego.
Dash & Dot
Dash & Dot ($200) interact with the world using sensors. They can hear sounds, detect objects, and know if you are moving them. They can be programmed to do anything you can imagine using a simple visual programming language called Blockly -Deliver a message to a friend, have a dance party, and even navigate through an obstacle course.
WowWee MiPosaur Robot Dinosaur
The MiPosaur is one of WowWee’s many popular robot toys. Miposaur ($119 on Amazon) is a robotic creature with evolving intelligence and personality that can sense its environment.
It comes with gesture control technology that allows you to control it with the swipe of your hand. Move your hand side to side to make MiPosaur dance or cover its eyes.
MiPosaur comes with an interactive TrackBall that it plays with, using it to activate Feed, Chase and Guard modes. MiPosaur, compatible with both iOS and android smart devices, is fully interactive with the MiP robot and a BLE enabled app. Look for MiPosaur in the third quarter of 2015 for $120.
Hasbro Robot Cat
Hasbro’s $99 Companion Pet Cat is available in three colors and has motion and light sensors to respond to touch. It even has “VibraPurr” technology to replicate a “realistic cat purr.” The Companion Pet Cat has sensors in its back, belly, cheek and head.
Sphero Ollie
Ollie ($99) is one of Sphero’s older robot toys, but it’s still loads of fun. Controlled via iOS or Android devices, Ollie can spin, drift, turn, flip and tumble over courses that you deigned. You can create custom trick combinations and design multiplayer games with friends.
Ollie is protected by a durable polycarbonate shell and outfitted with glowing LED’s, so it’s ready to take on any terrain day or night. It connects to iOS or Android devices via Bluetooth LE and is powered by USB charging.
OWI 3 in 1
The 3-in-1 All Terrain Robot ($60) is a multi-function tracked mobile robotics kit that kids build themselves. Use different track modules and make your robot transform into three variations: the forklift, rover and gripper.
In forklift mode, the ATR is like a mini industrial fork lift, with the ability to lift up to 100 g in weight. In rover mode, the ATR’s tank-like treads can traverse any type of surface. And in gripper mode, the ATR’s strong arms grab and pull objects into its grasp, lifting anything up to 100g and moving it to your desired location.
Hexbug
The Hexbug Battle Spider is a micro robotic spider for children ages 8 and up that measures 4 x 4 x 3 inches and only weighs four ounces.
Although referred to as a spider, the Hexbug only has six legs that allow it to move in any direction. Its head can rotate 360 degrees, and it uses an LED light as an eye so you know where it is facing.
It “shoots” LED light beams and an invisble infrared light. You’ll need two Hexbugs ($66) to engage in a battle. Each Hexbug can be hit with the light and after 10 hits it will shut down and needs to be restarted.
