A couple of weeks ago we reported on Jon Hyland’s NanoSeeker Micro AUV project. Today Jon posted some more details on his project and he seems to be making rapid progress. With the help of a rapid prototype machine there are now working prototypes of the vehicles in the water. The NanoSeeker has a “3-axis, solid state compass, with an integrated 3-axis accelerometer”, a bluetooth debugging interface, and runs on a ATmega328 microcontroller. The vehicle is steered via two control surfaces controlled by a Solarbotics GM15 pager gearmotor. Oh, and don’t forget that the vehicle is 6 inches long and 1.25 inches in diameter!

Video of the prototype after the jump.

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Boilerplate, the fictional robot created by artist Paul Guinan, now has a robolicious coffee-table book called Boilerplate: History’s Mechanical Marvel. Featuring historic scenes from the 19th and 20th century, we see Boilerplate’s military prowess as he fights along-side military giants like Teddy Roosevelt and Pancho Villa. The book’s “trailer” is hilarious and worth a watch (after the jump.)

Boilerplate was a mechanical man developed by Professor Archibald Campion during the 1880s and unveiled at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.



Built in a small Chicago laboratory, Boilerplate was a prototype soldier for use in resolving the conflicts of nations. Although it was the only such prototype, Boilerplate was eventually able to exercise its proposed function by participating in several combat actions.

Unfortunately Boilerplate was lost to history during WW1 and his final location remains a mystery to this day. According to wikipedia, some speculate he was captured by Germans and used to fuel their mighty technological advances between the wars.

Great alternate history.

BOILERPLATE: History of a Victorian Era Robot.



[Via io9.com]