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Some technical notes on wiring up an EEPROM to the ET-3400, for those interested. read more...

Clara begins her useful career as additional memory space for Dad’s brain.

(Clara is setting a play table.)

Clara: Heeeere’s your lunch, Dad.

Dad: Thanks! What is it?

C: It’s soup!

D: Mmm. What’s in this soup?

C: Noodles, and cheese, and… beans and…

D: Carrots?

C: Yes.

D: And split peas? I like split peas.

C: Yes!

D: And, uh… um… what are those white things that look like carrots… you know, they’re so good in soup… what’s the word, I can never remember it…

C: Parsnips?

D: Yes! Parsnips!

C: Yes!

Reuters article “Dawn simulator curbs wintertime blues” reports claims that dawn simulation (what DimBot is designed to do) is almost as effective as bright light therapy, the current conventional treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). read more...

I’ve replaced the network protocol on the DingBot with SprinkleNet, a much more robust packet-based approach that has improved reliability tremendously. And, there are now four completed DingBots in the world. read more...

Unto us a sun is given! read more...

[Clara is drawing lots of letter H’s on her chalkboard.]

Katherine: Hey, do you want to try drawing some letter K’s?

Clara: Don’t panic, Mom, I’m just drawing H’s right now.

Clara: Daddy, you’re my best toy.

Timothy: Aw, thanks!

C: Come, toy!

[frantic arm gestures]

C: I’m playing with you!

Having been playing with various electronic gadget designs that might or might not be considered “robots,” and recently thinking about buying a Roomba, I was wondering what my own working definition of a robot actually is. Here’s what I came up with while washing the dishes. read more...

The first DingBot unit is now finished and in use! read more...

With a few new ideas for the last mechanical bits having arrived during my shower this morning, and a subsequent frenzy of Dremeling and hot-glueing, the PrayBot was in place and functional for the start of Summer! read more...