http://www.robocommunity.com?src=blog_rss From iSobot to Roboquad, Tankbot to Rovio- Insides, outsides and sometimes inside-out! Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:24:50 GMT admin@robocommunity.com RoboCommunity 60 http://www.robocommunity.com/brand/robo/community.gif http://www.robocommunity.com?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19031/Brookstone-Tankbots-arrive/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.robocommunity.com/imagelib/contentitem/19031/39e706a46ad531be--7534377f-135f5112360-41ef-673869056.jpg">And their secret is deciphered- heh heh! So it turns out, in the Tankbot software on iPhone (and presumably on Android), you are prompted to enter the product code from the package. Our Toys R Us non-battling tankbots had codes 1044 for Blue and 1043 for Green. Interestingly, the Brookstone codes are 1880 for Blue and 1870 for Red. Try putting those in the software- voila - a Fire button appears! Another difference of unknown significance, the ToysRUs Tankbots are both stamped 12AB11 on the bottom, whereas both Brookstones are 11AB11. Probably a date of manufacture code, it is also stamped into the respective packages. Even more interesting- we can drive both Blues simultaneously- there appears to be no difference in the control codes- but the Fire button command is only noticed by the Brookstone Blue. It makes shooting noises and swings side to side for a couple of seconds. Most interestingly, the ToysRUs Blue also reacts to being shot! It moves forward/backward several times and is disabled from commands for several seconds.This was also true for the Green ToysRUs Tankbot (even in its semi-destructed state). So, apparently the detection and 'I'm hit!' reaction are active in both models, which...<div><a href="http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19031/Brookstone-Tankbots-arrive/">[Read more]</div> Robot Hacks and Mods General Robotics RoboCommunity Lounge News, Rumors and Gossip Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:24:48 GMT milw http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19031/Brookstone-Tankbots-arrive/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19031/Brookstone-Tankbots-arrive/?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19027/Deskpets-Tankbot-on-Facebook/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.robocommunity.com/imagelib/contentitem/19027/39e706a46ad531be--7534377f-135e0c30b9c--56b4379327669.jpg">Deskpets has posted a few photos of Tankbots being manufactured on their Facebook gallery . Interestingly, there appear to be two PCB versions- one like the one i have with multiple contacts in the IC side, the other cleaner looking. I've ordered a couple of the Brookstone versions (only red and blue available there) to see their Battle-supporting innards. Article in progress!<div><a href="http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19027/Deskpets-Tankbot-on-Facebook/">[Read more]</div> RoboCommunity Lounge General Robotics Robot Hacks and Mods News, Rumors and Gossip Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:12:18 GMT milw http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19027/Deskpets-Tankbot-on-Facebook/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19027/Deskpets-Tankbot-on-Facebook/?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19021/Inside-Tankbot/?src=blog_rss <img align="right" hspace="10" src="http://www.robocommunity.com/imagelib/contentitem/19021/39e706a46ad531be--7534377f-135db066366--7891-937052727.jpg">The Deskpets Tankbots are now available at ToysRUs, so we went ahead and bought a couple. I resisted the urge to open mine up for a couple of days, but today the screwdriver got the better of me! You'll need the triangular screwdriver to open these guys up, I got mine from Amazon for fixing our Wii, but they come in handy for this too. Pix already shot, I have to upload them then will link here. Stay tuned!<div><a href="http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19021/Inside-Tankbot/">[Read more]</div> RoboCommunity Lounge General Robotics Robot Hacks and Mods Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:33:39 GMT milw http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19021/Inside-Tankbot/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19021/Inside-Tankbot/?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19020/Inside-Tankbot/?src=blog_rss The Deskpets Tankbots are now available at ToysRUs, so we went ahead and bought a couple. I resisted the urge to open mine up for a couple of days, but today the screwdriver got the better of me! You'll need the triangular screwdriver to open these guys up, I got mine from Amazon for fixing our Wii, but they come in handy for this too. Pix already shot, I have to upload them then will link here. Stay tuned!<div><a href="http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19020/Inside-Tankbot/">[Read more]</div> RoboCommunity Lounge General Robotics Robot Hacks and Mods Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:08:49 GMT milw http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19020/Inside-Tankbot/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/19020/Inside-Tankbot/?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17388/Don-t-Want-To-Get-Up-Toshiba-s-Wheelie-Robot-Will-Get-You-Another-Drink/?src=blog_rss Or, of course, whatever you want. We've always dreamed of a &quot;practical&quot; solution to getting a refill of your favorite tasty cold beverage without having to shlep your way to the fridge, and maybe the Wheelie robot is it. We do see a problem, though. He can't actually pick up the beverage. So it looks like you'll have to build a &quot;fridge-bot&quot; to assist him! It's a cool prototype, nonetheless. [Via Engadget]<div><a href="http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17388/Don-t-Want-To-Get-Up-Toshiba-s-Wheelie-Robot-Will-Get-You-Another-Drink/">[Read more]</div> General Robotics Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:15:45 GMT RoboReporter http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17388/Don-t-Want-To-Get-Up-Toshiba-s-Wheelie-Robot-Will-Get-You-Another-Drink/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17388/Don-t-Want-To-Get-Up-Toshiba-s-Wheelie-Robot-Will-Get-You-Another-Drink/?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17345/There-s-No-Escaping-The-Paparazzi-Bot/?src=blog_rss Just when you famous people thought it was safe to go outside, the Paparazzi Bot has to poke its head around the corner and get a snapshot. Just make sure to stay out of uncompromising situations when it's around! [Via Engadget]<div><a href="http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17345/There-s-No-Escaping-The-Paparazzi-Bot/">[Read more]</div> General Robotics Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:10:02 GMT RoboReporter http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17345/There-s-No-Escaping-The-Paparazzi-Bot/#discussion?src=blog_rss http://www.robocommunity.com/blog/entry/17345/There-s-No-Escaping-The-Paparazzi-Bot/?src=blog_rss