Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:43 — 14.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Should robots think for themselves? We get to robot brains today, including an early neural network, made from analog circuits, instead of digital.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:35 — 10.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Hey robot, get a job! From the birth of wireless, to the first industrial robot—it’s about time we put these robots to work.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:38 — 12.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Much to say about nothing The discovery of vacuum was strangely pivotal in the history of science and technology. From steam engines to electronics, we talk about the power of nothing.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:53 — 16.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Pumps, plumbing, and weird water One of the earliest things humanity automated was the moving of liquids—irrigation, draining mines, and removal of waste. From five-thousand years ago to today, we take a look at pumps, plumbing, and some of the weirdness of water.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (0.0KB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

of metals and mines From prehistory to the industrial revolution, we take a look at metal working and mining.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:25 — 13.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Wires, springs, and mechanical marvels Along with the beginnings of springs and wire, we take a look at some more automatons. Included is the 18th century chess playing mechanical Turk.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:43 — 13.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Ancient robots Starting more than 2000 years ago, people have been creating machines that resemble animals and humans. Powered by water, compressed air, springs or falling weights, these automatons thrilled and amazed spectators.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:12 — 13.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Why are we turning? To build your bot, you’ll need some bits. Today we talk about wheels pulleys and gears—where and when they happen, and how and why to use them.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:28 — 10.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

That’s not a machine! We finish up “building brain bits for bots based on big beasties,” and move on to some things that have to do with actual robots. Searching for the beginnings of the technology, we do make a short visit to the stone age.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:03 — 15.3MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Email | RSS | More

Building brain bits for bots based on big beasties We begin a series on robotics and automation with a look at your host’s on going project on how to build a brain for a bot. After years of research, it turns out that bigger is better. special thanks to @EliaMagrinelli and @mattparlmer.