UPDATED 08:51 EDT / DECEMBER 19 2011

Teaching Old Robots New Tricks with Brainlink

Let’s face it.  Humans are never get content.  But let’s look at the bright side–we’re always striving for something better.  When televisions were invented, man never stopped reinventing and developing.  As a result, we are now have the enjoyment of smart TVs.  In fact, home entertainment has become a playground for connected devices as we enable more gadgets to communicate directly.

We now live in a world where technology plays a major role in almost everything we do.   But wouldn’t it be more exciting and productive if technology could process more on its own?  If only devices were smarter and more intelligent, wouldn’t our world be a better place to live in?

So what can you say about breathing new life into your old Roomba?  What about your “toy” robots such as WowWee’s Robosapien able to do more than what it can actually do now?  Sounds impossible?  Well, think again because we now have Brainlink System to “smarten up” the devices we already have.

The Brainlink device is developed by Carnegie Mellon University spin-off BirdBrain Technologies, along with CMU’s CREATE Lab to control your old Roomba and make your Robosapien able to perform better.  Moreover, an ultimate use and importance of the device is the possibility to connect to other robot with an infrared sensor thru a computer or simply thru an Android smartphone.  It also links robots and other laptops via Bluetooth.  Moreover, Brainlink’s capabilities are not limited to robots.  As a matter of fact, with this device and its application, users may also be able to use voice commands to control their television sets, or even use your Android phone as a remote.

“Some of the most exciting applications are those possible by attaching a smartphone to the robot,” says Tom Lauwers, Head of BirdBrain Technologies.

“The smartphone’s camera, microphone and speakers, as well as its onboard computing power, could enable a robot to respond to voice commands or locate certain objects.”

How does this device work?  The very heart of Brainlink is the triangular “thing” attached to robots and other IR devices.  This will serve as the controller for relay of commands.  It’s powered by a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery with an operating range of about 9 meters.  Brainlink also has additional ports so you can connect more sensors and therefore add more capabilities to your old robots.

Another cool thing about this device is that its firmware is open source and completely hackable.  So instead of using an Android or PC remote control, you can program the Brainlink device directly, giving robots and other compatible devices a new sense of worth.

You can buy Brainlink from the company website for about $125, targeting home hackers and educators who want to add something new and different in their class.

For a more detailed Brainlink experience, check out this video and see how it can change your robot’s fate as well as your own life.


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