Yeah, we thought about doing the same old same old. Listing our ten favorite power chargers, or creating a list of speakers that play in the shower. BORING! Ok, maybe that’s a little harsh because there is a cool list or two out there like that.
However, for BCB Cyber, we figured we’d go straight for the jugular and advocate for the coolest tech to fuel our individual passions that it seems like no one is talking about! Nvidia has the tools to suit our tech-enhanced desires and the best of the best is here with Jetson Nano Developer Kits.
The best part is we can do it all for only $59 on Amazon (#Commissions Earned).
Now that’s tech we can get behind! Forget 2020, let’s build a better 2021 and develop the Artificially Intelligent world we desire!
So, for the past few weeks in our Wisdom posts, we’ve explored a basic understanding of the mechanical systems at play in robotics. More specifically, we’ve done so in terms of their rudimentary makeup and the simplistic physics involved.
In the weeks and months ahead, we are going to explore so much more in robotics. From drones to vacuums, and yes, even terminators, we are going to look at the different ways robots are built and how they function in their environments.
So you are probably asking yourself, just what the hell is the point? Don’t we have robots so we don’t have to do as much? Fair enough, but we need to be prepared.
Ok, maybe not, but we are still counting the lowly, grunt life of colonial marines mashed with high-tech space operatics as Cyberpunk!
And just in case you needed a few more angles to work out the arm and wrist mechanisms, here you go!
As we always love to give credit where credit is due, this week we thank Kiel VanHorn, for his suggestion of adding the P-5000 Powered Work Loader anecdote. Spot on Kiel!
Last week’s gear post announced the Tech Series that, throughout 2021, will bring us all new insights on various gear systems used to power our Cyber Rider Project. January 7, 2021, will bring forth the first in that series with RV Solar.
However, as our explorations take us to many parts of the tech globe, this week we want to share an inspiration that grew out of our Wisdom post yesterday. In that post, we explored the wrist elements within the field of robotics and we looked at the various axes of motion that were involved. We inspired ourselves to look further to see how those elements of motion are used/applied in other types of robotics. Here’s a hint…
Low and behold, we found a cool application for the motion of our very own human wrists in robotics and human linked motion, that being hand/wrist sensor-controlled RC Cars. Energetics,
Pitch, roll, & yaw, applied by both human and robot alike! Better yet, for a truly exciting experience. Each and every day we find the line between human and machine blurring ever further. Our integration is well underway! Remember, the keys to ultimate integration are simplicity, usefulness, and intuitiveness.
Hope y’all have a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyful Kwanzaa, or whatever you are into, we wish you all the best. And hope your holidays are filled with Tech Excitement and Inspiration! ‘Tis the Season!
Welcome Back! Over the last two weeks, we started our journey into robotics with a few simple elements concerning motion. Last week we tackled the motion of the Arm/Body. This week we go final step within the maipulator systems.
Before, we’d said that one of the main components needed to move a robot was a manipulator of which there are essentially two types: arm/body & wrist.
Robotic arm in a factory. Modern heavy industry, technology and machine learning
There two or three compact joints formulating the wrist, whereby tools/parts can be oriented in a finer fashion. Ultimately, the wrist is where all the detail work of the robot can be done. For the Wrist, just as for the Arm/Body, there are specific types/categories that help us understand and classify the movement they create based on how the joint(s) is(are) arranged. Furthermore, the movement is defined within one of three spectrums as the rotation moves around:
Around the Wrist, Circular Spin= roll.
Top-to-Bottom axis = pitch.
Side-to-Side = yaw.
Starting at 0:47 seconds in the video below we can see a clear vision of each of the three.
Welcome Back! Last week we’d started our journey into robotics with a few simple elements. This week we go next step. Before we said that one of the main components needed to move a robot was a manipulator of which there are essentially two types: arm/body & wrist.
Manipulators are essentially created by linking together solid component parts and/or joints to allow motion between consecutive links. Manipulators are subdivided into two primary component systems: Arm/Body & Wrist. The Arm/Body is composed of links (solid pieces) and joints (points of motion) and used insofar as objects can be moved into an environment, and the wrist has multiple joints to convey a wide range of motion for a particular task, aka the detail work.
For the Arm/Body & Wrist, there are specific types that help us understand and classify the movement they create based on how the joint(s) is(are) arranged. For the Arm/Body, you can have the following:
Rectangular – Three points of linear motion; in other words the robot can only move in a straight line (forward/back, left/right, up/down). This creates a rectangular working space.
Cylindrical – Move linearly in two directions and can rotate in another direction (on a “revolute” joint). Moves in straight lines and rotates. This creates a deep range of movement (top/bottom) in a round path (in other words, a cylinder)
Spherical – Can rotate in two different directions and move along a straight line (back and forth). Moves in straight lines but rotates along two different axes. This creates a very long reach and can have a great degree of motion opportunity having great 3-dimensional applications.
Articulated (Jointed Arm Spherical) – Closest to the human arm. Rotating across three axes, rotating at base, and horizontal movement allowed for by movement at shoulder, and vertical movement at the elbow.
As for the wrist, there are two configuration types. But that’ll wait till next time. And for those who think this boring… just check out what comes next!
And for those who think not… we offer one of the great advancements under development from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (US Department of Defense), and its terminator-like arm. Check this out!
Anywho, that’s all for now. Have a great day everyone and we’ll see you back here tomorrow for some great high-tech, low-life gear!
What are the basic components that make up a robot?
The core elements of a robot are quite intricate in and of themselves but can be broken down quite simply into 5 elements.
12.9.20
Moving a Robot – Actuators & Manipulators
Movement in a robot seems a no brainer. Of course, they move, going up, down, left, right, twisting, etc., just like us, right? However, one of the first, most basic aspects that is necessary for understanding robots is to examine the basics of how they accomplish these most generic of activities. In order to do this, we need to know the rudiments of two systems: actuators and manipulators.
Arm/Body assemblies include unifying joints (axes) with links (solid structures; rigid points of contact) used to move tools into a given environment.
The Wrist, on the other hand, (ha! so funny) is to orient tools once in the environment. Wrists contain multiple joints to supply a wider array of potential motion and therefore application.
The Arm/Body assembly comes in four possible combinations and the Wrist, two. That is a journey for next time though. Next week we’ll dive deeper into the Arm/Body assembly and then on December 23rd, we’ll explore those wrist orientations! If you just can’t wait, we found a cool, mini-university to explore. Check it out here!
What are the basic components that make up a robot?
The core elements of a robot are quite intricate in and of themselves but can be broken down quite simply into 5 elements.
When taken together as a unit these elements give the robot the ability to interact with the environment it finds itself in. Each of the five above can be broken down to basic levels of understanding to move us into our journey of robotics. Join us next week as we take those first steps.
If you want to keep up in the future as we add more and more content, make sure to check out our Wisdom Feature Page on Robotics. We’ll be adding lots more content there so make sure to come back often and join the journey!
Building a robot or understanding the ones vacuuming our floors is one thing. Re-defining the boundaries of our physical lives and extending our impact on the world beyond our bodies in a real sense is another. Robotics allows us the opportunity to do both, and in so doing redefine our world in so many facets.
Bringing Robots Home
Yes, the standard, daily task thing is good, but better yet is the ability for robots to help inspire us in competition, exploration, and advancing human experience.
Learning about robotics means understanding some complicated fields. Joining electronics, mechanical and software engineering, and gaming can sound daunting. However, in our quest to design and create challenge bots for Robo-sport competition, fly drones, or even creating new helpers/companions for around the house, BCB Cyber is here to share our own journey so we can explore together.
All this being said, this week we start our journey into robotics with a question, How can robots improve our lives?
To get us going, as always, we have an infographic to lead our way. Check it out below and let us know what your thoughts are on-going the next step. Let’s answer the question together, how can bots improve my life?
If you want to keep up in the future as we add more and more content, make sure to check out our Wisdom Feature Page on Robotics. We’ll be adding lots more content there so make sure to come back often and join the journey!
How can we protect ourselves online? How do we ensure our data is secured and only trusted parties gain access? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer and there is nothing that is 100% foolproof, but there are actions we can take to protect ourselves.
While we may not have the ICE yet as envisioned in Neuromancer, there are actions we can take to build our own countermeasures. It is incumbent upon us to take action and protect ourselves as individuals.
As we know trackers are everywhere, in the cameras we pass on the street, on the sites we search, and even on the devices, we stick in our pockets. That’s no reason to fear though so long as we take action.
When it comes to giving out personal information we are all guilty of giving out too much. With friends over chat, in a passing email, or even at the doctor’s office; ever give them your social security number? Not really required anymore!
Areas we should all reconsider when making private info public!
Linking Family Relationships
Advertising Place of Employment
Sharing Interests
Posting Kid’s Schedules
Announcing Vacations – i.e. You are Not Home
Broadcasting Personal Activities
Sharing Birthdays, Real Phone Numbers, Personally Identifiable Information ALL
Take Action… Top Seven
If You Don’t Have to Give it Out, Don’t!
Turn On Privacy Settings /AND-OR/ Go Private; Never Depend Solely on Privacy Settings; Good Start in the Graphic Above
Always Encrypt Where Possible and Personally Encrypt, Never Rely on Third Partie; Any Online Chat, Including SMS, Use End-to-End Encryption; EX Signal, Wickr Me, Dust, etc… Check out More HERE
Double Check What You Are Going to Post
Be Wary of Cloud Storage – EX Don’t Store Passwords on Cloud Storage; Store Private Stuff Offline!
Be Creative: Security Questions Don’t Have to Be Real – Make It Up! For Example: Keep Real Cell Number Safe; Generate a Forwarding Number: Learn More at Life Wire or Google Voice
Practice Good Cyber Hygiene- Strong/Unique Memorized Passwords/PINS, Trusted Device Logins, Use Secure Networks, Use Official Apps Only, Set Alerts, No Auto Storage of Passwords, etc., Always Enter the Actual URL, Monitor Regularly, Create Backups, Update Regularly, Keep Current on Antivirus/Antimalware, Keep Devices Themselves Safe, etc.
The elements depicted above help to illustrate the various elements we each can add to our daily lives to help protect ourselves. For BCB Cyber, this may be the last in this mini-series but not on our cybersecurity journey. Over time, we’ll be adding much more and diving into the details on how these various elements can be achieved and so much more.
Make sure to come back often. Please note that we aren’t sponsored by any of the above (save for the Amazon link for William Gibson’s work, #CommissionsEarned) we just love to share out great info! For more Cyber-Fuel on Wisdom, please check out our dedicated section on the subject.
How can we protect ourselves online? How do we ensure our data is secured and only trusted parties gain access? Unfortunately, there is no easy answer and there is nothing that is 100% foolproof, but there are actions we can take to protect ourselves.
While we may not have the ICE yet as envisioned in Neuromancer, there are actions we can take to build our own version. It is incumbent upon us to take action and protect ourselves as individuals. The elements depicted above help to illustrate the various elements we each can add to our home networks and environments to help protect ourselves. For BCB Cyber, the only illustrates the first building block on our cybersecurity journey. Over time, we’ll be adding much more and diving into the details on how these various elements can be achieved and so much more.
Make sure to come back often. For more Cyber-Fuel on Wisdom, please check out our dedicated section on the subject.
