Professor Ingeborg M. Rocker, of Rocker-Lange Architects - developed with students at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University develop a robotic built wall.

The project presents a digitally generated and fabricated wall consisting of wooden bricks. The Project is the outcome of a synthesis of computer generated design and computer aided construction research at the GSD under the guidance of Professor Ingeborg M. Rocker.
The aim of the project was to produce a 1:1 scale wall using the GSD’s Robotic facilities.

Going beyond the model scale, and working with the Robotic arm set up new design challenges which were tightly linked to the construction techniques, material constraints, and structural limitations encountered in full scale building modus. Using a modular unit of the masonry brick the team developed a systematic aggregation creating a wall consisting out of 4100 bricks.

The wall’s double layered running bond varies from a straight line to a maximum undulation, which creates an inhabitable space. The emerging space and pattern is the resultant of a set of principles (algorithms) applied to a simple rectangular brick module, taking into account its material and technical parameters.

The scale, precision, and vast number of units of the final design scheme necessitated an automated process based on script and robotic construction. Materials, adhesives, work flow optimization, and production techniques were among the many considerations that had to be researched and tested prior to and during each stage of the process.

Ultimately the design manifests the performative potential of bricks, expressed through the wall’s curvature and porosity as it affects the acoustic and visual qualities of the wall-space created.

Inspired and advised by Professor Rocker the project became realized through the enthusiastic work by student team leaders, Jeff LaBoskey, Teresa McWalters, Misato Odanaka, Benjamin Franceschi, and the Students of the March1, 1st year.

The teams work was made possible through the coding by Jessica Rosenkrantz, Jesse Louis-Rosenberg (of N-E-R-V-O-U-S) and Christian J. Lange, Rocker-Lange Architects. The studio design by Mathew Swaidan and Jeff LaBoskey served as an initial inspiration for the wall’s scheme.

For NERVOUS SYSTEM’s take on the project check out their blog..

found via ArchiCentral

There is a great post on ArdunioFun.com showing a couple of kids using Ponoko cut parts and Arduino to make a cool little robot walker based on a design posted on Instructables. I have to admit I was a little blown away to see the age of the kids constructing the robot in the photos as at that age I was probably melting burger rings packets in the oven to make a keyring or something just as inane.

Imagine how empowered they must feel to be able to have access to electronics, laser cutters and a community sharing ideas freely online. Imagine what they will be doing with these tools in ten years time with their shared experiences and comfort with these tools of design and production..

Rock on Rachel and Drew.

Technion, Israel Institute of Technology’s Biorobotics and Biomechanics Lab is working with 3D printers from Objet to create robots that move like living creatures. A recent video features the lab’s founder Dr. Alon Wolf speaking about his work in the field, the benefits of rapid manufacturing to the lab’s research, and a robotic snake made from 3D printed parts.

The robots developed by the BRML are intended for defense department search and rescue missions and medical applications such as minimally invasive surgery. 3D printer developer and manufacturer Objet was previously mentioned in connection with the animated film Coraline. They offer seven different printers and will be present at this year’s rapid manufacturing trade show RAPID2009 May 12–14 in Schaumburg, IL. (I’ll be doing some posts on site at RAPID as long as they let me in on a press pass.)

Well, kinda more like $1200 to get it running…

The Fireball V90 CNC Router from Probotix is really a DIY CNC kit with:
Approx. 12″ x 18″ x 3″ Cutting Area
Thomson Precision Linear Shafts
Oilite bearings
Precision Acme 2-start Leadscrews
Delrin Nuts
Solid Brass Machined Couplings
Cast & Machined Commercial Grade Z-Axis
Tool Holder for Dremel Model 300 Included
Uses NEMA 23 Frame Motors
220 Inches Per Minute Rapids*
Easy To Assemble

The base kit is supplied as a mechanical machine kit only. No motors, electronics, spindle or software is included.
Or for an additional $600 you can get the bottom of the line motor, software etc. etc..

There does seem to be a community of users for support as well a great post on Hacked Gadgets critiquing the unit and it’s assembly.

Or check out their YouTube video here which reminds me of My Own Private Idaho in a kinky kinda way.

Carrying on the Robot theme for no apparent reason is RobotLab’s Bible Scribe.

The installation ‘bios [bible]‘ consists of an industrial robot, which writes down the bible on rolls of paper. The machine draws the calligraphic lines with high precision. Like a monk in the scriptorium it creates step by step the text.

Starting with the old testament and the books of Moses ‘bios [bible]’ produces within seven month continuously the whole book. All 66 books of the bible are written on rolls and then retained and presented in the library of the installation.

‘bios [bible]’ is focussing on the questions of faith and technical progress. The installation correlates two cultural systems which are fundamental for societies today – religion and scientific rationalism. In this contexts scripture has all times an elementary function, as holy scripture or as formal writing of knowledge.

In computer technology ‘basic input output system’ (bios) designates the module which basicaly coordinates the interchange between hard- and software. Therefore it contains the indispensable code, the essential program writing, on which every further program can be established.

robotlab works with industrial robots in public spaces. It explores the relationship between man and machine by means of installations and experformances.

robots will play a significant role in future societies and invade more and more human domains. The most prevalent robots today are the industrial robots. Their number is rapidly increasing worldwide and has already exceeded one million. With continual development their mechanical and electronical capabilities grow. The direct coupling of precise mechanics and information processing electronics results in a powerful technology which is discussed in the sciences under the subjects of ‘artificial intelligence’ and ‘artificial life’.

Up until now, people haven’t had the chance to meet robots neither in public nor in private spaces. robots are mostly situated in special industrial spaces, therefore humans do not have contact with them, do not experience how they behave and do not know how to behave correctly with them. Today social patterns between man and machines do not exist. Instead there are only fictional images from science fiction literature and films.

robotlab creates experimental situations in exhibition spaces, in which the public has the opportunity to interact with robots. The massive appearance of the robots, the movements and the machine sounds effect the visitor, are interpretated individually and evoke ideas which may lay in the field of practical purposes as well as formulate an utopian image of a future culture with man and machine.
robotlab is founded 2000 by Matthias Gommel, Martina Haitz and Jan Zappe. The free artist group is associated to the Institute of Visual Media at the ZKM - Center of Art and Media Karlsruhe, Deutschland.

Pan-Dan provided revelation.

Ideally this should be done with some sort of CNC router… much like the guys at Lumenlab have done:

This was done using their RoGR Robot. Their instructions for getting from gourd to “glow” makes a great tutorial for those wanting to dabble in the world of robotic manufacturing.