Sunday, December 21, 2014

Lego Mindstorms EV3 Robotics Kit: World's Best Robotics Education Tool? [REISSUE]

Legos, Robots, and Education

The basic underlying concept of the Lego - build it yourself - actually fits quite well with most practical robotics development. See, unless your project has been underway for several years, has reached Kickstarter-ready status, or is swimming in government, major university, or massive global corporation cash (e.g., commercial drones, industrial robotics, ASIMO, Robonaut, ATLAS, HRP, HUBO, etc.), robotics research is an almost intrinsically small-group, bootstrapped DIY endeavor. Early-stage work begins with a design (or freestyle!), then the collection and assembly of workable off-the-shelf parts or building/machining them by hand, then doing something about a power source, software, etc., etc., carefully incorporating all variables, and then maybe: voilà - robot! Maybe even some YouTube fame.

Something like that, anyway. Oh, but here’s the thing: chances are you won’t see such opportunities early-on in life. Broadly speaking, the status quo of hands-on robotics education and experimentation is somewhat exclusive to the ranks of higher education. Historically (if that term even works in robotics), budding engineers - who might not even know that’s what they are or can be - just haven’t had easy access to affordable, practical robotics development education.

Communities based around a single, seemingly humble line of products, Lego MINDSTORMS, are stepping in to fill this gap; whether or not Lego set out to become this force of change is irrelevant - they have. Sure, there are plenty of non-Lego, non-giant-global toy corporation build-your-own-robot kits on the market, but none of them can match Lego MINDSTORMS’ combination of price (approximately U.S. $350 for the upcoming EV3), brand familiarity, open-source & intuitive programmability, sophistication, and a supportive, collaborative global network of developers and makers.


See individual High-Res Shots Below

It’s fair to say that if the so-called Robotics Revolution/Resurgence/Renaissance is actually underway, then the Lego Group is supplying a considerable portion of humanity’s basic training.



Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.’s ‘Little Engineers’
This group’s wide range of robotics education courses use Lego MINDSTORMS kits almost exclusively. Like their Japanese counterpart, Little Engineers is dedicated to robotics education as it should be: based firmly in a comprehensive STEM context. Students from preschool to high school are accepted, and they can spend up to an entire 7-hour day at work on their projects. Robotics classes range from “Early Simple Machines” for 3-5 year-olds to “LEGO Robotics, Design, Build and Program” for students 8 or older. At the higher levels, instruction includes curricula from universities and the Lego Education program. Rightfully so, Little Engineers’ robotics classes are not free, but considering the hours, the wide variety of classes, and that students can return and advance their studies in a familiar contenxt, they’re still a bargain for long-form, hands-on robotics and STEM instruction.
(Little Engineers homepage)

In Japan, in the U.S., and around the developed world, where so many of the artifacts of everyday life have become push-button or touch-screen, there is justifiable concern over the erosion of practical, tactile problem solving and building skills - essential precursors to engineering proper. Thankfully, to address this actual and figurative disconnect, at least one very effective model is more than evident, and it is applicable across cultures.

If Lego’s MINDSTORMS kits provide a framework for basic training, it seems then that, until educational institutions catch up at the primary and secondary levels, the NPO Hito Project, Little Engineers, and other like organizations - they will be the oh-so-needed drill instructors in the aforementioned Robotics Revolution/Resurgence/Renaissance.

Lego MINDSTORMS EV3: Available September 1, 2013

Hobbyists, students, research professionals, and tech-geeks of all shades have worked with variations of the MINDSTORMS NXT for the past 7 years (and, reportedly, many of the pre-NXT bricks still function very well), but the new hottness is about to arrive. Announced at CES 2013 and already in the hands of developers and certain educational groups (Little Engineers actually received their Education Kit just yesterday), the long-anticipated EV3 update will roll out to the general public in just about three weeks. A new online hub for developer communities is also in the works and is expected to launch simultaneously.

As always with MINDSTORMS, EV3 is a complete kit that includes motors, various sensors, the programmable MINDSTORMS “brick” (the brains of the affair), multi-platform programming software, 550+ LEGO Technic elements, a remote control, and brand-new this time: smartphone-based control and programming and an iPad-based 3D design app. The brick is Bluetooth enabled, has a USB port, an SD expansion slot, and runs on an open-source Linux platform, i.e., it’s completely open to being hacked, chopped, and rejiggered in any way the imagination would allow. For the creative and curious, the the possibilities are awesome. One might even make a Lego MINDSTORMS...ummm, Beer Machine:

Along with the kit’s 5 included robot models/templates, Lego is providing 12 downloadable models (pictured below in high-res) designed by an international group of developers. We’re looking forward to seeing imaginations unleashed in YouTube demos and tutorials, and of course there’s just as much to be said for the innovative tomfoolery sure to pour out within days of EV3’s launch.

Well Done, Lego, Well Done - Now, Go Forth!

Admittedly, it does kinda have that ring to it, but this isn’t commercial for Lego - rather, let it be a statement of support for the concept of using robotics as a gateway to improving STEM education. And, let it be known among all members of the aforementioned robo-geekosphere, and anybody else paying attention, that it is hereby written and published forth upon the internets that Lego is already a hero of the early 21st century’s Robotics Revolution/Resurgence/Renaissance.

To wrap it up, if you’ve read this far, if you’ve watched the videos, and if somehow you remain unmoved and unmotivated to play/build/create, perhaps an alternative angle will spark a connection: think about your future boss or that of your children in an increasingly roboticized world - think, what are the odds that they played/built/created? Think hard, now!



Available MINDSTORMS EV3 Downloads (go here)
























Friday, December 19, 2014

Sony α7 II Full-Frame Mirror-less with 5-axis Image Stabilization System

Sony is going to release a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera - α7 II (Alpha 7 Mark II) - for about ¥190,000 on December 5.

The α7 II is equipped with a 5-axis image stabilization system as a 35mm full-frame DSLR for the first time in the world. Improved autofocus features 117-point phase detection and 25-point contrast-detection and its response is 30% faster than that of the previous α7 model.

[RELATED]
Sony α7 Ⅱ (Alpha 7 2) Part Two: The Beautiful Lovechild of Sony's α7 and Olympus' OMD-EM1

It has a 35mm effective 24.3MP Exmor CMOS image sensor, BIONZ X image processor, organic EL view finder called XGA OLED Tru-Finder, and 3.0-inch tiltable monitor. ISO sensitivity range covers ISO100 to ISO25600 (ISO50 at expanded sensitivity setting).

Regarding movie performance, α7 II shoots full HD (1920×1080) at frame rates of 60p/60i/24p, and also the XAVC S format allows for full HD recording at a data rate of 50 mbps.

It supports Wi-Fi, NFC, and up to 5fps continuous shooting.
Price: About ¥190,000
Size: 126.9x95.7x59.7mm
Weight: 599g including a battery and memory stick PRO duo
Media: SD/SDHC/SDXC memory card, Memory stick PRO duo/PRO-HG duo/XC-HG duo







REVIEW: CASIO EX-FR10 Action Cam (GALLERY; VIDEO)

The Action Camera market is quite the thing at the moment. Ever since Nick Woodman thought it would be a nice idea to capture action shots of his surfing trips and set about creating a little silver box that made him a Hero, companies of every size seem to be bending over backward to put out diminutive cameras that can both take a beating and deliver quality videos of crazy people doing crazy things. Being the risk-averse place that it is, Japan hasn’t been the biggest adopter of the action camera trend, and, being the inward-looking developers and manufacturers that hey are, most J-brands didn’t see opportunity until late in the game; they’ve been desperately trying to stake their claim in the action cam market ever since.

Sony has changed up the form factor a bit, JVC and Ricoh have gone for full-on assault drop Space Marine armour (for the glory of the imperium of man!), and Panasonic went with the duo of innovative mounting option and first-to-the-market 4k for theirs. In the end though, they all did basically the same thing: capturing the action. Which the GoPro already does, along with a massive ecosystem of 3rd party enhancements. It’s basically an analog for the classic J-Feature Phones vs. Apple iPhone situation.

The one Japanese electronics behemoth that was noticeably absent from the fray was CASIO… until now.

Universal Studio Japan launched "Cool Japan" attractions

USJ (Universal Studio Japan) is going to hold an event called "Universal Cool Japan" for a limited time only from January 23 to May 10.

Based on Japanese manga, animation, gaming, music, and fashion, "Universal Cool Japan" will shape the world of Japan-proud entertainment on a greater scale than anyone could have imagined before. Through this event, you will be able to experience the world of Evangelion, Attack on Titan, Bio Hazard, and Monster Hunter. And each attraction offers a food menu made in the motif of characters and related items of each.

Theater Attraction "Evangelion The Real 4-D"

A unique story that was written only for this attraction will be screened. Surprises by wind, light, vibrating seats, water-spray and so on will stimulate your senses and draw you into the story.






Walk-through Attraction "Shingeki no Kyojin (Attack on Titan) The Real"

A fight scene between a 15-meter Ellen model and a 14-meter female Titan model will be waiting for you. There will be realistic models of Rivai, Mikasa, Armin, and the Titan who is eating Ellen's mother. You can experience the momentary horror of being eaten by the Titan.





Walk-through Attraction "Bio Hazard The Escape"

A digital device "Player Pad" will be given to you, and you will need to try to escape from the building by figuring out riddles. Be careful about zombies jumping on you and traps!





Walk-through Attraction "Monster Hunter The Real"

Life-sized monsters with special effect lighting will appear in front of you. In particular, the huge Zinogre with electricity all over its body will be very impressive.



Thursday, December 18, 2014

MYKRONOZ "ZeWatch2" and "ZeBracelet2" Smartwatches from Switzerland


Kaga Hightech announced they are going to release MYKRONOZ-brand smartwatch models "ZeWatch2" and "ZeBracelet2", manufactured by Kronoz LLC in Switzerland, on December 26 in a limited quantity.
They can be used through pairing-up with a smartphone.

ZeWatch2

ZeWatch2 is a wristwatch-style device that provides a sleep and activity management system. It also support hands-free phone calls and notifications of incoming calls and SNS notifications.
Price: ¥13,500
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Battery: 130mAh lithium-ion battery
Battery life: 3 days
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Color: Black, Blue, Gray


ZeBracelet2

ZeBracelet2 is a bracelet-style device that provides a sleep and activity management system. The spec is almost the same as ZeWatch2.
Price: ¥13,500
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
Battery: 130mAh lithium-ion battery
Battery life: 3 days
Charging time: 1.5 hours
Color: Gold, White, Black


Sony invented a display module to make your eyewear a wearable device

Sony announced the development of a display module that transforms your eyewear into a wearable device.




They also revealed that they will show the display module and its concept model - SmartEyeglass Attach! - at the 2015 International CES that will be held in Las Vegas in the U.S. beginning Junuary 6.

By attaching the display module to your eyewear such as glasses, goggles, and sunglasses, and putting them on, you will get a sub-window displayed in front of you without blocking your site.

The display module features Sony's original tiny 0.23-inch OEL display (640x400) that provides a 1000:1 contrast ratio. They also downsized a control board including several sensors, processors and a wireless communication function as powerful as those in smartphones, according to the company, and created a sophisticated device that weighs only 40g.

Sony is planning to begin commercial production of the module as well as providing the software kit to partner companies sometime in 2015.



Weight: 40g
Processor: ARM Coretex A7
Display luminance: 800 candela per square meter
Sensor: electromagnetic compass, acceleration sensor, touch sensor
Battery: 400mAh
Wireless communication: Wi-Fi (IEEE801.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 3.0+HS