Help me find a half-remembered anecdote about robotics and computing taking a cue from ant- or bee-like, hive-mind biological processes -- a story about a car factory's paint process organized with just three rules. [more inside]
posted by Cool Papa Bell on Nov 3, 2009 - 2 answers

I am looking for robotics classes/teams/clubs in the Bay Area. [more inside]
posted by typography on Aug 25, 2009 - 3 answers

I'm looking for a tiny video camera to use with a robotics project. The camera needs to be digital, have a digital connection (preferably USB, not wireless), support a minimum resolution of 1024x768 at 30fps and weigh as little as possible — maybe as much as 120g but hopefully lighter. And it must be affordable: less than $500 including lens. [more inside]
posted by gentle on May 27, 2009 - 11 answers

LazyHiveMind: What fun things can I do if I hook my Chumby up to a Furby? [more inside]
posted by rwhe on Feb 3, 2009 - 6 answers

How can I determine my robot's location reliably and cheaply? [more inside]
posted by godawful on Jan 21, 2009 - 4 answers

Robotics question: simple and high-payoff project, don't have the time/leet skillz/rationale to jump in the deep end of the pool (i.e. academic smartypantses building attack vehicles), don't want to spend the money on/deal with the physical bulk of the shallow end (Mindstorms et al). What is in the middle? [more inside]
posted by Your Time Machine Sucks on Feb 21, 2008 - 10 answers

Where can I get an uncut video of the DARPA Urban Challenge event? [more inside]
posted by Skorgu on Nov 5, 2007 - 3 answers

Can you name any laptop motherboards (brands, models, etc.) capable of booting from a USB flash drive? [more inside]
posted by DrSkrud on Oct 3, 2007 - 11 answers

Help me find a series of illustrated children's hardcover books from the 70s/80s about the upcoming technologies of "The Future" [more inside]
posted by Ryvar on Jul 10, 2007 - 11 answers

RoboFilter: What can someone with a budding (but likely fleeting) interest in robotics do for a first project that combines a little building, a little programming, and hopefully only a little money? [more inside]
posted by CrayDrygu on Apr 27, 2007 - 9 answers

Flying Robot Planes? The analysts seem to think there is no good way to stop these things. Why isn't the government interested in using the wisdom of crowds to prevent terrorist attacks? [more inside]
posted by tweak on May 10, 2006 - 14 answers

Can anyone provide me with additional information on performance artist John Charles Fare? [more inside]
posted by nTeleKy on Feb 15, 2006 - 5 answers

I'm the student leader of a FIRST robotics team and we're pondering copyright issues involved with the construction of an arcade machine. Much more inside... [more inside]
posted by phrontist on Jun 1, 2005 - 17 answers

What is the need for a human pharmacist in this day and age? [more inside]
posted by AlexReynolds on Apr 13, 2005 - 18 answers

What is the name of the curve or theory illustrating humans' comfort level with robots that look like people? Example: the more a robot looks like a person, the more uncomfortable people are in its presence, but the moment an artificial being is absolutely indistinguishable from the real thing, the comfort level goes back to normal. My Googling leads me nowhere, but I seem to recall reading about this somewhere on MeFi...
posted by Robot Johnny on Oct 4, 2004 - 6 answers