Gourt > Computers > Robotics > Robots > BEAM
The word "beam" in BEAM robotics is an acronym for Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, and Mechanics. This is a term that refers to a style of robotics that primarily uses simple analog circuits instead of a microprocessor in order to produce an unusually simple design (in comparison to traditional mobile robots) that trades flexibility for robustness and efficiency in performing the task for which it was designed. Exceptions to the convention of using only analog electronics do exist and these are often colloquially referred to as "mutants". BEAM is alternatively said to stand for:
- Building Evolution Anarchy Modularity
- Biotechnology Ethnology Analogy Morphology
Mechanisms and principles
The basic BEAM principles focus on a stimulus-response based ability within a machine. The underlying mechanism was invented by Mark W. Tilden where the circuit (or a neural network to as a "Nv net" of artificial neurons Nv neurons) is used to simulate biological neuron behaviors. Some similar research was previously done by Ed Rietman in 'Experiments In Artificial Neural Networks'. Tilden's circuit is often compared to a shift register, but with several important features making it a useful circuit in a mobile robot. More on [ BEAM robotics ]
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The Risks In Wildcard Certificates
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:43:20 -0400
They may not be real-world problems, but wildcard certificates have some definite theoretical problems. But they can be so much cheaper that users will buy them anyway. - The imperative to use SSL, for web authentication and encryption or VPNs, is reasonably universal. Competition has driven prices of certificates down over the years to the point where you can get conventional SSL certificates from reputable vendors for well under $100 per year. Another product gain...
FCC Likely to Recommend Unlicensed Spectrum Use
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:09:07 -0400
The Federal Communications Commission will soon release a report on the feasibility of opening up unused spectrum, or white spaces, for use with wireless broadband. The FCC engineering report will share results of several years of data collection, including field tests on Broadway in New York City and at FedEx Field in Maryland. - WASHINGTON (Reuters) A battle between tech companies like Google Inc and broadcasters over use of soon-to-be vacant airwaves will heat up soon as U.S. regulators release an anticipated report on the issue. The Federal Communications Commission's report will weigh in as early as Friday on the fea...
Enterprise 2.0 Software to Take Hard Hits Amid Competition, Weak Economy
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:26:55 -0400
Spending on Enterprise 2.0 messaging and collaboration technologies will take a hit, according to Forrester Research. The research company says cutthroat competition and oversaturation of blogs, wikis, mashups and RSS feeds will curb spending, but predicts growth for mashups. At what point will Forrester have to factor the dragging economy into the slowdown in spending on anything from Enterprise 2.0 to enterprise applications? - Just a few weeks ago, the Enterprise 2.0 world was humming along smoothly, to all outward appearances. Vendors and analysts alike were bullish on growth prospects for modern collaboration and productivity platforms. The tide is turning, according to an analysis from Forrester Research analyst...
Intel, AMD Earnings to Offer Guidance on PC, IT Spending
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:24:03 -0400
When Intel and AMD report their third-quarter earnings in a few day, the two companies, which are the leading suppliers of x86 processors for desktops, notebooks and servers, are expected to offer a glimpse of how the financial crisis and the U.S. credit crunch is likely to impact the entire IT industry. In addition, Intel and AMD are likely to discuss the impact of the new chip manufacturing that formed when AMD sold off its fabs earlier this month. - When Intel and Advanced Micro Devices, the two largest suppliers of x86 processors for PCs and servers, report their 2008 third-quarter financial results in a few days, industry watchers will be looking for signs of how those numbers will reflect the ongoing financial crisis and its impact on the IT...
Apple Releases Mega Patch Security Update
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:08:25 -0400
Apple released a large security update that touches on nearly two dozen Mac applications and features. The release includes updates for Apache, PHP, ClamAV and MySQL. - Apple has released a massive update for Mac OS X 10.5 and Mac OS X 10.4.11 that plugs security gaps in 20 Mac applications and features. The update, released Sept. 9, is available on Apples Web site. Several of the patches deal with Mac OS X technologies, such as a fix for an issue in Script Edi...
10 Steps Techies Should Take to Keep Their Jobs in a Financial Meltdown
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:44:41 -0400
As the economy gets shakier each day, workers everywhere are concerned about losing their jobs. Here are 10 steps the corporate techie toiling away in the server room or the help desk can take to help keep his or her job. - OK, the stock market is falling like a rock. Big banks are being bought and sold like overripe bananas. The masters of the financial universe are looking like suckers at the horse race track buying tip sheets printed after each race. And now, even the venture capitalists of Silicon Valley are te...
The Seattle Times: Business & Technology
The Great Disruption hits Puget Sound hard
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:39:00 -0700
An entire business model that increasingly powered the American economy has collapsed. It was dependent not only on little understood financial schemes but also on mergers — instead of capitalizing companies that actually made things, especially advanced technological breakthroughs — and unsustainable earnings growth. It was based on debt and consumption.
History shows investors in stocks can bounce back in worst of times
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:22:23 -0700
Let's deal with your worst fantasies: the "D" word. Some people have bandied it about — the prospect that perhaps this is the big...
Sunday Buzz: Real estate in play as WaMu and others shrink
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:10:16 -0700
In the Seattle area and elsewhere, the tumult of merging and downsizing companies — WaMu, Wachovia, Merrill Lynch, AIG, etc. — will likely redraw real-estate vacancy maps, so brokers are preparing.
NYT > Technology
Amid the Gloom, an E-Commerce War
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:43:02 -0000
EBay was once an online juggernaut and Amazon.com its weaker rival. Things have changed.
Novelties: Keeping Your Own Health Chart, Online
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:40:23 -0000
New tools are being developed that may help harried patients monitor their medications, home tests and other details.
Verizon Wireless Plans to Charge Companies Sending Text Messages
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:53:14 -0000
Verizon told companies that send out text messages that starting Nov. 1 it will impose a fee of 3 cents for each message it delivers to the phones of its subscribers.
CNN.com - Technology
New machine prints sheets of light
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:29:17 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Shark mom has 'virgin birth'
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:52:51 -0400
Read full story for latest details.
Keeping track of climate change
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:35:12 -0400
It can often seem like hard work keeping track of the changes happening to our planet. Another day, another new prediction. Another week, another warning. It's enough to make even the most conscientious climate change student issue a weary discombobulated sigh.
NPR Topics: Technology
Fast, Citywide WiFi Launches In Baltimore
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:19:00 -0400
The nation's first rollout of WiMax has launched in Baltimore. Host Steve Inskeep talks to tech commentator Mario Armstrong about the fourth generation Internet service. It's a wireless connection that is fast and allows a subscriber to roam across the city.
New Solar Cell Easy As Pizza To Make
Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:16:00 -0400
The iJET is a new type of solar cell that's cheap and easy to make, requiring not much more than a pizza oven, some nail polish remover, and a common inkjet printer. Australian scientist Nicole Kuepper describes her invention.
SpaceX Celebrates First Successful Rocket Launch
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:53:00 -0400
SpaceX's flagship Falcon1 rocket has successfully launched from an island in the central Pacific, becoming the first privately-developed rocket to orbit the planet. NASA has already contracted SpaceX to begin private space flight missions to the International Space Station beginning in 2010.
BBC News | Technology | UK Edition
Bank turmoil fuels phishing boom
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:38:19 -0000
Scammers and fraudsters are capitalising on the changes sweeping through global financial markets and sectors.
'Spam attack' halts Virgin e-mail
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:32:02 -0000
Tens of thousands of Virgin.net customers lose e-mail access for up to four days after a suspected spam attack.
Channel 4 abandons digital radio
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:15:31 -0000
Channel 4 pulls the plug on three proposed digital radio stations owing to a slump in advertising revenues.
Reuters Video: Technology
Facebook eyes growth over profits
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:39:44 -0400
Oct. 12 - On a visit to London as part of a multi-city European trip, Facebook founder Mark Zuckeberg explains his strategy for navigating a tough economic climate.
Reuters Technology Week
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:38:38 -0400
Oct. 10 - Palin dukes it out digitally, super strong scents, and prize-winning protein.
Shazam enters new era
Sun, 05 Oct 2008 20:22:20 -0400
Oct 6 - The mobile music discovery service has seen a surge of new users after broadening its offering to work seamlessly with social networks.
AP Top Technology News At 7:11 p.m. EDT
Kenya's elephants send text messages to rangers
By KATHARINE HOURELD Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:10:50 -0000
OL PEJETA, Kenya (AP) -- The text message from the elephant flashed across Richard Lesowapir's screen: Kimani was heading for neighboring farms....
Flexible OLEDs could be part of lighting's future
By PETER SVENSSON Sat, 11 Oct 2008 04:39:15 -0000
NISKAYUNA, N.Y. (AP) -- On a bank of the Mohawk River, a windowless industrial building of corrugated steel hides something that could make floor lamps, bedside lamps, wall sconces and nearly every other household lamp obsolete....
Sony seeks to harmonize music, electronics
By RYAN NAKASHIMA Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:38:01 -0000
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Now that Sony Corp. and Bertelsmann AG have broken off their troubled relationship, known as Sony BMG, the Japanese company hopes to harmonize its consumer electronics and its music, a duo that was badly out of sync....
CNET News.com
IBM invests in business partners' training
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:01:00 -0700
A business development fund aims to encourage its largest partners to take up more skills training around data centers.
Navy charters kite-powered cargo ship to deliver equipment
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:03:00 -0700
The use of this new breed of sailing ship could reduce fuel costs by 20 to 30 percent, according to the ship's owners.
FCC report negates free Internet interference claims
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:41:00 -0700
Report from commission engineers boosts plan to auction spectrum for free wireless Internet by dismissing concerns it would interfere with existing providers' signals.
Insectroïdes - Tutorials, pictures, schematics, and videos.
Meta Description: [ A really cool BEAM robotics site with alot of informations. Includes excellent tutorials,
quality pictures, many videos of robots in action , resources, links and much more ]
Andy's solar-bug - Tutorials, schematics, technical explanations and do-it-yourself instructions for the solar powered robot builder. Hall of fame list with pictures of inducted robots and a list of parts available for purchase.
Meta Description: [ Andy's Solar-bugs, Andy's Solar-bugs ]
BEAM Robotics - Mark Tilden's original site with a philosophy overview, resource lists, and event listings.
BEAM Robotics - Tutorials and schematics.
BEAM Robotics Resource - Comprehensive site with information on building a robot, where to find parts, a picture gallery, and a list of related web sites.
BEAM Robotics Tek - Building robotics along with Basic Electronics, Nervous Networks, Solar engines, Motors and Motor drivers.
Meta Description: [ The main BEAM Tek page ]
BEAM-life - Links, tutorials, papers and circuits including 3,4, and 5 motor walker tutorials.
derstrudel analog and digital experiments - German-based site with pictures and event listings with biographies or the people involved.
Meta Description: [ derstrudel.org analoge und digitale experimente ]
Neil's BEAM Pages - Neil Sandstrom's site for his ShokPopper and Mini ShokHeads robots with a tutorial on building a Miller solar engine. Includes an On-line archive of the Yahoo Beam Discussion Groups.
Pierre Genevieve's BEAM site - Several complete projects with photo galleries, schematics, and videos, including walker bots and junkbots.
Meta Description: [ Home to BEAM robots built by Addy Yeow Chin Heng. Most of them are 2-motor 4-leg walkers running on microcore or bicore circuitry. Come on in to learn more! ]
Learner, 2 motor walking BEAM robot |
