Not too long ago we made a post about the Instructables/SparkFun Microcontroller Contest. In the end, there were well over a hundred entries and some really amazing projects. The contest is currently in the judging stage, but right now is a great time to head over to the contest page and check out all the finalists - there is some really amazing stuff!
Yes - that is nothing more than a video of Grover dancing to "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats. Go ahead - watch it again. And again. Now, if a video of Grover simply dancing about doesn't strike your fancy (be honest!), maybe it will help to know that is a microcontroller-based marionette. Yes, Grover has gone autonomous. Using a microcontroller, some hobby servos, and some clever engineering, Grove dances around with the best of 'em.
More than just your standard marionette.
Now, I certainly don't want to seem biased, but there are simply too many awesome finalists for me to post about all of them. Check out the Arduino-controlled Dog Treat Dispenser or the Music Playing Alarm Clock (hm, that box looks familiar). Honestly, just check out all the finalists - I have a feeling something there will inspire you or at least make you crack a smile. We'll announce the winner here in the coming weeks!
Since when did Grover develop Cerebal Palsy?
Let me go ahead and run that through my funny-o-meter. Let's see....cerebral palsy...nope, still not funny.
hahaha my cousin has Cerebral Palsy, it's horrible, but he has a great sense of humor. I would like to think he could laugh at a joke like that.
Some people believe that Cerebral Palsy is the sexiest of the Palsies.
yes.
that guy is awesome.
Aw guy... I enjoy other peoples' misfortunes as much as anyone (maybe more) but...
you're about to get flamed so hard.
EDIT: See?
Actually I do not. I only see 6 posts. Interesting way to diffuse a situation, I like it.
Thanks, I try. lol
Darn, I should have used an Arduino instead of a PIC, eh?
Why do I feel like I've just been rick rolled?
This project uses a Micro Maestro for the brains!
Does that even qualify as a microcontroller?
Does the Maestro? No. in the same way the Arduino isn't a microcontroller. But just like the AVR on the 'Duino, the PIC on the Maestro is unquestionably a microcontroller ;)
... A PIC is not a uController... A PIC is a CPU, which in conjunction with a clock, memory, etc. becomes a uC.
I'm not sure what you think a PIC is, but they do have all those things onboard and are most definitely microcontrollers.
I think so. The Maestro servo controller has a scripting language that lets you write code for it.
I carry a grudge pretty well. Since I missed my Free Day benefits by a matter of seconds, I shall point out the following:
Microcontoller != Microcontroller
....
ಠ_ಠ
Good luck to all!
Honestly I didn't even see the alarm clock box, and now I can't believe i didn't see it.. Poor me..
Grover probably could use to be anchored with a fishing sinker, though. If the guy just ran a line from his bum to the ground and put a little weight on it it would stop the shakes and makes his other movements more pronounced. Still, I gotta say that Grover's Groovin' with the best of 'em, certainly the most convincing person I've ever seen dancing to "Safety Dance"
(although he's no Sony QRIO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_0I4nr4u3A)
(Shoot, this is gonna be a huge post now but i gotta say it... The Music Playing alarm clock guy, not even 5 seconds in, reminds me so much of Mark from SLC Punk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZAjHrL3iHA)