HollerBot, the sub-$500 DIY robot
by Donald Melanson 
posted Feb 9th 2005 at 9:49AM
Zach Smith was tired of waiting for an affordable robot that did what he wanted it to do, so he's building his
own. And like any good geek, he's building it entirely out of off-the-shelf consumer hardware and free software,
all for less than $500. He also hopes to make it controllable via the Internet and able to communicate with the
real world, although we're not really sure exactly what else this thing is supposed to be able to do besides run around
tormenting people. Fortunately, that's good enough for us.
[Via BoingBoing]
Filed under: Robots
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan Kuehling @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
Sounds (and looks) very much like the aborted iBorg project that MacAddict magazine embarked upon a few years ago.
strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
Rock on ma brotha!
In the 90's I contructed an outdoor ROV using OTS and custom built stuff, but utilizing standard RC and 2.4Ghz microwave equipment.
(google "probe II SG) (It's an old project.)
The vehicle platform is as good as ever, but could be modified to be similar to this project.
I'll be keeping tabs on this one! :D
Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
Maybe the MS Paint diagrams don't do the conceptual diagrams justice.
Mitch @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
Essentially this seems like a Wifi laptop slapped
on a RC-Car to me...
Ogre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
NERDS?!?!?!
Ogre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
NERDS?!?!?!
hoeken @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
matt: hey! it was open office draw you jerk :P
mitch: yea, essentially... however the sum of the parts is what makes it great. you could be driving and interacting with the real world from a location anywhere in the world.
Wayne Chiang @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
Here is a more sophisticated version of a similar concept if you are interested.
http://funkycoldamoeba.blogspot.com/ A computer that masquerade as a robot that masquerade as an ordinary domestic furniture, a triple and reversible layers "masqueration" if you will.
RC Nitro Cars @ Dec 19th 2005 2:13AM
Very cleaver stuff, lets just hope once he has worked trough all the bugs he will no doubt come across he will work on making it look a little more modern looking.