JediBot uses Kinect to control lightsaber

Stanford University graduate student Ken Oslund reveals that he is the JediBot's father.

(Credit: Video screenshot by Amanda Kooser/CNET)

You spent countless hours locked in lightsaber battles with your buddies while growing up. What happens when there's no one left to play with you because they all have jobs and babies? You make your own Star Wars playmate.

Students at Stanford University programmed a robotic arm dubbed the JediBot. The bright orange arm swings a red foam lightsaber against a human opponent. It gets off surprisingly snappy attacks with some decent robotic muscle behind it.

It's one thing to create an arm that goes on the offensive, but another to build one capable of defense as well. That's where the Microsoft Kinect comes in. The opposing lightsaber is green so that the Kinect sensors can pick up on where it is in space. The JediBot uses that information to plan its defensive maneuvers.

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The robotic arm--which can swing its sword about once every two to three seconds--was created for a 3.5-week Experimental Robotics course. The class also produced a robot that grills hamburgers and even adds the ketchup. The only thing that would make the JediBot better is if it battled you to a draw and then offered you a tasty cheeseburger.

It's about time someone came up with a Star Wars action figure that truly brings the action. All that's missing are the awesome sound effects. Good thing you've been practicing. Wuumph! Zzzsh! Zzzsh!

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JediBot uses Kinect to control lightsaber

You spent countless hours locked in lightsaber battles with partners while growing up. What happens when there is no one left to play with you, because they are all tasks and infants? You can create your own Star Wars Playboy playmates.

Students of the University of Stanford programmed robotic arm, dubbed JediBot. Bright orange red foam shoulder spill lightsaber forms against a human opponent. It disables surprisingly snappy attacks with some decent robotic arm it.
It is easy to create a robot that goes on the offensive, but another build one capable of defending well. This is where Microsoft Kinect arrives. Opposing lightsaber is green, so that you can receive on Kinect sensors which is in space. JediBot uses this information to plan his defensive maneuvers.

Related links
The video game Star Wars • and unlike other

Robotic arm--which you can Swing his Sword, after every two to three seconds--was created on a course of experimental Robotics 3.5-week. The class also produced robot grills beef-and even adds ketchup. To JediBot better if you can only draw the fighting, and then offered you tasty cheeseburger.
It's about time that someone a wonderful Star Wars action figure, which really calls the action. All of which are missing are the awesome sound effects. Good thing, which has already been the practice. Wuumph! Zzzsh! Zzzsh!

View the original article here