Monday 24 November 2008
Mindstorms Logo
We decided that it would be best to create our logo using maya seen as we wanted it to be animated. One of our ideas involves greenscreening the Nxt then zooming out using editing until it's stood on one of the tiny blocks on our logo.
Tuesday 18 November 2008
Red Cam
While some of us are dreaming of the latest digital SLR (the new Canon 50D comes to mind), the founder of Oakley has a different idea. Jannard sold Oakley for a tidy sum about two years ago and set about revolutionizing photography and cinema. The product of his imagination exists today in a distinctive Oakley-esque style: the RED Digital Camera.
The RED Epic and RED One are the first cameras to be launched by the company. Calling these a camera is oversimplifying things somewhat. The RED is a completely modular system, in which each component is combined with the others in any desirable configuration. That means piecing together lens, image sensor and battery packs, for example. Each component is available separately, meaning the capabilities of the device can be extended and enhanced.
Take the image sensor, for example. Why not start with the rather pedestrian Mysterium-X for the Scarlet capable of 4.9MP still images. Tired of that low resolution? No sweat: insert the Monstro to gain the same still image at 261MP!
What good is a still image if you want to shoot movies? Of course, the RED is capable of shooting beyond the now outmoded HD resolution. In fact, consumer television sets are not yet in production to display the movies shot at the maximum super high definition resolution. Output is written to any number of storage media, including flash cards, hard drives and RAID arrays.
The RED looks absolutely awesome and i think this is a new way of thinking about shooting, which could mean a new era for special effects and the possibility it will be better for the cgi intergretion into films in the future
Stop motion Film
These are a few examples of stop motion which may be an avenue we pursue. I think the transformers video is particularly good it's very fluid and the sound finishes it off nicely.
New Advert Technique
This is one of my favourite advert out at the moment, i think it's very clever and i really like the way it fits the music. I thought this was done with green screen but it is actually done using camera shots edited. Below is the making of video, which is using a 3d storyboard technique used in making the indiana jones movie to determine the camera timing and shots.
Wednesday 12 November 2008
Proper Robots
Almost everyone involved in robotics knows about Tomotaka Takahashi from ROBO-Garage. His surprisingly lifelike creations include Neon, Chroino, and most recently FT - the female robot that walks as if she were actually strutting down a fashion show runway in Paris or New York. In addition to designing highly stylized robots, Takahashi is also one of the key members of TEAM OSAKA, the champion robot soccer team that has consistently walked away with top honors at both Japan and international Robo-Cup competitions.
THE FIRST MANOI
Approximately two years ago Takahashi was commissioned by Kyosho to create a new robot humanoid, based in part on his Chroino design. The result was the first MANOI robot, now named the ‘PF01’, unveiled to the press and public in the Fall of 2005. The PF01 immediately captured the attention of both the press and the public with its distinctive comic/manga character, style, and anime movements. Although the robot was initially scheduled to go on sale by June, 2006, it ran into unexpected production problems and initial shipments have been delayed until November of this year.
Takahashi’s creations are quite literally technological works of art. They are so finely designed and beautiful, that it’s hard to imagine an owner really getting down and dirty with one. The first scratch or part that’s cracked because you were trying to battle it out with a friend’s robot in a backyard ROBO-ONE fight might be a heartbreaker.
At the same time, there are a huge number of hobbyists and enthusiasts that love to express their own personal creativity and personality through their ‘toys.’ To address this still emerging market for personal and hobby robotics, Kyosho decided to expand the original MANOI design concepts. Working closely with Kondo, a leading provider of servos and equipment to hobbyists and experimenters involved in humanoid robotics, they created the MANOI AT01 robot.
DESIGNED FOR HACKING
In order to distinguish between the two MANOI robots, Takahashi’s anime style robot was renamed the MANOI PF01 - the “PF"standing for “PerFormance.” The new MANOI model, specifically designed with the hobbyist and experimenter in mind, was dubbed the MANOI AT01 - the “AT” standing for “Athlete.” Kyosho expects that PF01 owners will be really pleased with the robots performance and styling, while the AT01 owners will be totally turned on by the opportunity to build, customize, and compete with their robot.
Both Kyosho and Kondo are founding members of the Japanese ROBO-ONE organization, so it made perfect sense for them to call on some of the top ROBO-ONE champion robot builders to serve as key advisors for the project. It’s no coincidence that their two advisors, Dr. GIY and T. Sugiura, also happen to hold ID numbers 1 and 2 respectively in the official ROBO-ONE builder database...
By selecting the Kondo RCB-3 controller, Kyosho has made it possible for AT01 owners to take advantage of a wide range of accessories, established know-how, and modifications. For example, almost all the remote control strategies already proven to work with the Kondo KHR-2HV robot and its predecessor the KHR-1, will work with the AT01 with little or no modification. Most owners will initially select an optional RC remote control like the Kondo KRC-1, but other remote control implementations like BlueTooth are certainly feasible.
info from http://www.botmag.com/articles/manoi_1.shtml
THE FIRST MANOI
Approximately two years ago Takahashi was commissioned by Kyosho to create a new robot humanoid, based in part on his Chroino design. The result was the first MANOI robot, now named the ‘PF01’, unveiled to the press and public in the Fall of 2005. The PF01 immediately captured the attention of both the press and the public with its distinctive comic/manga character, style, and anime movements. Although the robot was initially scheduled to go on sale by June, 2006, it ran into unexpected production problems and initial shipments have been delayed until November of this year.
Takahashi’s creations are quite literally technological works of art. They are so finely designed and beautiful, that it’s hard to imagine an owner really getting down and dirty with one. The first scratch or part that’s cracked because you were trying to battle it out with a friend’s robot in a backyard ROBO-ONE fight might be a heartbreaker.
At the same time, there are a huge number of hobbyists and enthusiasts that love to express their own personal creativity and personality through their ‘toys.’ To address this still emerging market for personal and hobby robotics, Kyosho decided to expand the original MANOI design concepts. Working closely with Kondo, a leading provider of servos and equipment to hobbyists and experimenters involved in humanoid robotics, they created the MANOI AT01 robot.
DESIGNED FOR HACKING
In order to distinguish between the two MANOI robots, Takahashi’s anime style robot was renamed the MANOI PF01 - the “PF"standing for “PerFormance.” The new MANOI model, specifically designed with the hobbyist and experimenter in mind, was dubbed the MANOI AT01 - the “AT” standing for “Athlete.” Kyosho expects that PF01 owners will be really pleased with the robots performance and styling, while the AT01 owners will be totally turned on by the opportunity to build, customize, and compete with their robot.
Both Kyosho and Kondo are founding members of the Japanese ROBO-ONE organization, so it made perfect sense for them to call on some of the top ROBO-ONE champion robot builders to serve as key advisors for the project. It’s no coincidence that their two advisors, Dr. GIY and T. Sugiura, also happen to hold ID numbers 1 and 2 respectively in the official ROBO-ONE builder database...
By selecting the Kondo RCB-3 controller, Kyosho has made it possible for AT01 owners to take advantage of a wide range of accessories, established know-how, and modifications. For example, almost all the remote control strategies already proven to work with the Kondo KHR-2HV robot and its predecessor the KHR-1, will work with the AT01 with little or no modification. Most owners will initially select an optional RC remote control like the Kondo KRC-1, but other remote control implementations like BlueTooth are certainly feasible.
info from http://www.botmag.com/articles/manoi_1.shtml
Lego Mindstorms Nxt Adverts 3d
These are the 3-d ad's i found for the Nxt, i think they are good but they are a little boring and the movement isn't very life like. Also it gives the impression of more flexibility in the robots joints than is actually achievable
Previous Programmable bricks
The RCX microcomputer is the brain of the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® for Schools system. It receives programs for the ROBOLAB™ software (Windows or Mac) via an infrared computer link and stores up to five programs at a time. The RCX then runs the programs when activated.
Up to three inputs can be used by the RCX to sense events in its environment, which in turn can determine what the three outputs will do to react to the sensing data.
This is the cybermaster it was the first programmable brick Lego released it used IR reflex technology.
Nxt Variants
I decided to construct the Alpha Rex which is the original model, it took me about 2 and a half to 3 hours to build and is quite complex. However they are easy to follow instructions which means that with time younger people could construct it, it is a bit unclear about the wiring but it can be worked out. The Nxt is a very easy to use interface with simple push commands or there is a program on a computer for more complex sequences.
Advanced Variations
Nxt Safe- Someone has far too much time on their hands.
iphone control
gramaphone
slotmachine advcanced nxt tech
controlling with macbook
lego warehouse
iphone control
gramaphone
slotmachine advcanced nxt tech
controlling with macbook
lego warehouse
Lego Mindstorms Nxt Adverts
This is a cool adaptation of the Nxt, the advert shows the programmable area of the NXT well but is still quite poor looking.
This advert shows a good example of the wireless programming again, i definitely want to show this in a similar way
This i the worst one in my opinion it has the worst acting i've seen. the guy doesn't even connect lips with the girl when he kisses her.
This advert reminds me of home and away it uses strange camera angles and bad shot's. i really don't think any of these adverts are any good, i don't like the camera angles, i think the acting is weak and i think it's dated. However they show good usage of the programmable features and variation on the original bot.
Lego Mindstorms Nxt Adverts
Again i am less than impressed with the professionalism of the advert, i think the acting is particularly cheesy but then again if it's aimed at a younger age range maybe it appeals to them. Using the psp could make early teens think that makes it really cool.
Lego Mindstorms Nxt Adverts
This is a poor advert, to me it looks like it's from the late 90's rather than 2006 when the nxt was launched. It's a good example of how versitile the robot is but it doesn't do it justice they just look low budget.
Lego Nxt Robot
LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT
The next generation of robots!
Create the smartest, strongest and most advanced LEGO® robot ever, in as few as 30 minutes! The new NXT Intelligent Brick, your robot's "brain," features a powerful 32-bit microprocessor and more memory, plus support for USB 2.0, Bluetooth and more! A highly versatile palette of LEGO TECHNIC® elements combines with state-of-the-art ultrasonic, sound, light and touch sensors in the next generation of intuitive robotics. With included Quick-Start guide, easy-to-use software and step-by-step building instructions, beginners and experts alike can create humanoid, vehicle and animal robots that obey every command! Programming software is now available for both PC and Macintosh, plus with Bluetooth support, you can even command your robot from your mobile phone!
The next generation of robots!
Create the smartest, strongest and most advanced LEGO® robot ever, in as few as 30 minutes! The new NXT Intelligent Brick, your robot's "brain," features a powerful 32-bit microprocessor and more memory, plus support for USB 2.0, Bluetooth and more! A highly versatile palette of LEGO TECHNIC® elements combines with state-of-the-art ultrasonic, sound, light and touch sensors in the next generation of intuitive robotics. With included Quick-Start guide, easy-to-use software and step-by-step building instructions, beginners and experts alike can create humanoid, vehicle and animal robots that obey every command! Programming software is now available for both PC and Macintosh, plus with Bluetooth support, you can even command your robot from your mobile phone!
Moving Image Pathway
Lego Mindstorm Nxt Rationale
I have decide to go down the moving image pathway due to how this is the area of digital media which I want specialize in. The main reason I have chosen this specific brief is due to how I feel it offers me a chance to gain more skills with the cameras and with after effects, also it will allow me to use equipment I have not used before. I also chose this brief due to how it is to do with advertising which I feel is an area of video which I may persue more. With this brief I want to experiment with the different kinds of shots you can do, I want to use a track and dolly system to experiment with the effect which this gives.
I have chosen the Lego Mindstorm Nxt brief, when I was younger I used to play with Lego all the time, it was just bricks, wheels, windscreens, basically click and play. As I got older I had Lego Technics, which started off as Lego “expert builder” many years before I was even born, this was more complex and involved gears, cogs, batteries and elements with light and sound. In 1985 the first Technic Computer Control was produced, which was an educational system whereby Technic robots, trucks, and other motorized models could be controlled with a computer. In 2006 the NXT was released which is the next step, it’s fully programmable and uses scensors to react with it’s environment. I want to do this brief because it’s something which I am interested in and feel I have a bit of background knowledge in the area.
I have decide to go down the moving image pathway due to how this is the area of digital media which I want specialize in. The main reason I have chosen this specific brief is due to how I feel it offers me a chance to gain more skills with the cameras and with after effects, also it will allow me to use equipment I have not used before. I also chose this brief due to how it is to do with advertising which I feel is an area of video which I may persue more. With this brief I want to experiment with the different kinds of shots you can do, I want to use a track and dolly system to experiment with the effect which this gives.
I have chosen the Lego Mindstorm Nxt brief, when I was younger I used to play with Lego all the time, it was just bricks, wheels, windscreens, basically click and play. As I got older I had Lego Technics, which started off as Lego “expert builder” many years before I was even born, this was more complex and involved gears, cogs, batteries and elements with light and sound. In 1985 the first Technic Computer Control was produced, which was an educational system whereby Technic robots, trucks, and other motorized models could be controlled with a computer. In 2006 the NXT was released which is the next step, it’s fully programmable and uses scensors to react with it’s environment. I want to do this brief because it’s something which I am interested in and feel I have a bit of background knowledge in the area.
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