Penguin Robot with 27 Brains

PENGUIN ROBOT WITH 27 BRAINS 
In this experiment, a tiny little Parallax Penguin robot is upgraded to the max, and has its big head expanded to include a massive number of brains. It was connected to the BSS BASIC Stamp Supercomputer, the BASIC Stamp Master Offloader machine and rogue BASIC Stamp boards and Stamp processors.

Add these 12 legion superheros

Superhero Penguin brain! Source: Robot Magazine

In the photo, at far right, the M.O.M. machine has ten processors, the BSS, in the middle, has twelve processors, another two processors are located above the PS, plus the Lenovo PC with a duo core processor, and Penguin has one, making a total of 27 brains! The types of brain processors are mixed. Examples include the Basic Stamp 1, the BS2, BS2px, BS2sx, BS2p40, and others. Boards are also mixed.

BRAIN GAIN
The brain of Penguin takes on the functions and peripheral sensors of the other brains, and gains ultrasonic night vision, the ability of sound choir processing, human English and Chinese speech, a uOLED, two serial Green Screen LCDs, signal and power LEDs.

MORE BRAIN POWER
The potential exists to connect more brains from the legion of Penguin Superheros. This would add another 12 brains bringing the total up to 39 BASIC Stamp brains. It would also add 12 compasses, 12 speakers, 12 IR transmitters, 24 IR Receivers, 24 CaS light sensors, 24 motion control servos, 12 LEDs and twelve 7-segment displays.

Machine to Machine Mind Meld Penguin

Penguin Robot connected to BSS

2 Penguin Robot motherboards connected

MACHINE TO MACHINE
MIND MELD
PENGUIN ROBOT BRAIN TO BSS SUPER COMPUTER

MARCH 3, 2011
If you're into connecting processors to Penguin, take a look at this machine to machine mind meld project - the entire BASIC Stamp Super computer was connected to make the smartest Penguin and possibly the Labs first machine to machine mind meld! 

http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2013/10/penguin-with-12-brains-basic-stamp.html

The trick was to make one Penguin's port into serial Rx/Tx and connect using one wire into a Daisy Chain configuration, thus making a very large Penguin brain. The added BS2px could contribute on the super computing net. Not only does it add 12 more

12-30-2008

processors to Penguin, it also adds one more processor to the BSS.
http://forums.parallax.com/showthrea...Robot&p=765509
I'm currently working on a much larger brain, currently with 170 processors, and can imagine a project to "beam in" the power of this giant brain directly to Penguin, for wireless operations.
Imagine a scenario where Penguin is sent out on some important exploratory mission, gathering sensor data and beaming it directly to the remote brain for analysis. In another stage, it's the giant Brain that has the mobility and

Penguin at upper left on top of PS

picks up Penguin, syncing with Penguin's brain through BT or IR, and simply takes Penguin along the journey. Consider it a Giant Brain to Penguin mind meld!

REFERENCE 03-03-2011, 05:57 AM #26
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/129738-Get-your-Penguin-working-without-modifing-the-circuit-card.?p=981575&viewfull=1#post981575

PHOTOS
The above board is being prepared to add to the BSS. This Super Carrier Board has a BS2sx at left and a Penguin board to the right. It makes up a compact yet powerful BSS addition, that easily fits into the Rack. The overall footprint is about the same size as a Basic Stamp Homework Board. The good thing about this arrangement is that X1 has Vin and ground which the Penguin board can tap into. Basically you'll route 5 wires from the BS2px board and 3 from the Carrier to the Collective. 

BRAIN CORTEX IN 2008?
Original Post from 11-21-2008
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/108169-World-s-Smartest-Penguin-Robot?p=765509&viewfull=1#post765509

As a recent experiment, the brain of Penguin Robot was disembodied by tapping into and connecting it to the BSS Supercomputer.

In a kind of Brain Cortex collective extension, Penguin's brain was made into a parallel cluster of processing power, rewiring the original thought processes, creating a hive or gang of Synaptic Regio, more closer to mimicking a human's brain. Overall, the operation was a great success!

The brain surgery was simple and accomplished by hand. Connect 3 wires, + to Vdd, - to Vss and S to P2 on Master Computer MC, as can be seen in the photos. The power of Penguin's brain became so fantastic, that accessing all the power and all the sensors and all the peripherals from 12 computers made it "THE BRAIN" of all brains!

For one thing, it can access all the data, computational power, sensor information, peripherals such as EMIC text to speech (Penguin is now talking), LCD, uOLED color monitor, PIR, PING))), an entire choir of piezo speakers that run at the same time, dancing lights, and all kinds of just really cool stuff!

The human mind cannot begin to imagine all the possibilities of applications. With only a tiny tether, Penguin now has the biggest Brain with 12 computers running simultaneously and ability to use up to 192 ports. So now little Penguin robot has the tools, software, hardware and the power to be even more amazing!

For even more Brain Power, run the Big Brain software by vrossi. It can increase the number of programs stored in Penguins Brains whenever the computer is a Basic Stamp with more than one 2K bank of EEPROM (i.e. BS2p24, BS2p40, BS2pe, BS2px, etc.). For more info about the BSS Supercomputer:
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765140

For information and plans to build your own BSS Supercomputer,
check the latest edition of Penguin Tech Magazine posted in the
Parallax Robotics Forum. For more information about the vrossi Big Brain software:
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765432

Penguin with 12 Brains - BASIC Stamp Supercomputer

PENGUIN 12 BRAINS
BASIC STAMP SUPERCOMPUTER

In a kind of Brain Cortex collective extension, Penguin's brain was made into a parallel cluster of processing power, rewiring the original thought processes, creating a hive or gang of Synaptic Regio, more closer to mimicking a human's brain. Overall, the operation was a great success!

THE EXPERIMENT
As a recent experiment, the brain of Penguin Robot was disembodied by tapping into and connecting it to the BSS Supercomputer. The brain surgery was simple and accomplished by hand. Connect 3 wires, + to Vdd, - to Vss and S to P2 on Master Computer MC, as can be seen in the photos. The power of Penguin's brain became so fantastic, that accessing all the power and all the sensors and all the peripherals from 12 computers made it "THE BRAIN" of all brains! 

This photo enlargement shows supercomputing connections made from the BSS Basic Stamp Supercomputer to Penguin robot's single port at the top of the motherboard. Green is ground, red is Vdd, and yellow is signal.

ACCESSING
For one thing, it can access all the data, computational power, sensor information, peripherals such as EMIC text to speech (Penguin is now talking), LCD, uOLED color monitor, PIR, PING))), an entire choir of piezo speakers that run at the same time, dancing lights, and all kinds of just really cool stuff! The human mind cannot begin to imagine all the possibilities of applications. With only a tiny tether, Penguin now has the biggest Brain with 12 computers running simultaneously and ability to use up to 192 ports. So now little Penguin robot has the tools, software, hardware and the power to be even more amazing!

MORE INFORMATION
http://www.p-robot.com/index.php/penguin-supercomputer.html

MORE BRAIN POWER
For even more Brain Power, run the remarkable Big Brain Penguin software written by vrossi. It can increase the number of programs stored in Penguin's Brain whenever the computer is a Basic Stamp with more than one 2K bank of EEPROM (i.e. BS2p24, BS2p40, BS2pe, BS2px, etc.).  For more information about the vrossi Big Brain and to download the software:
http://www.p-robot.com/index.php/other.html http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765432


From the PRS web site: Hundreds of programs have already been written for the Penguin; each of them gives him a specific ability. Each time you want to make your Penguin behave in a different way, however, you have to turn your Penguin off, connect him TO a PC, load another program, disconnect him from the PC and finally get him doing what you wanted. Now, instead, you can simply load once this Big Brain program and then enjoy many of the best Penguin behaviors without reconnecting him to the PC. In this way the Penguin is finally free; he is not a slave of the PC anymore. He can autonomously sing, dance, walk, navigate toward the light, migrate North, play a radio station, according to what you ask him.

Download the zip file in a folder on your PC; then load the program Penguin_Big_Brain_v10.bpx in the Basic Stamp Editor. It will automatically load also the 6 Dependent programs. Please follow the instructions contained in this main program.

Download here
http://www.p-robot.com/sources/BigBrain.zip

For more info about the BSS Basic Stamp Supercomputer
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.tw/2013/06/basic-stamp-supercomputer.html
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765140
For information and plans to build your own BSS Supercomputer, check the latest edition of Penguin Tech Magazine posted in the Parallax Robotics Forum.

Robot Explorer Log 4 Light Sensor

Parallax Penguin Robot light system. Credit: Parallax

VERY SENSITIVE ROBOT EYE
ROBOT EXPLORER LOG 4

 

USING THE TLS230 LIGHT TO FREQUENCY SENSOR

A study of interplanetary and moon conditions shows that specific locations will have much less lighting than on the Earth. Even a robot explorer on the Earth can experience dawn to dusk like conditions of less intensive lighting. How does one effectively measure sub lighting conditions?

In the left schematic, the phototransistor or CaS cell will measure the intensity of reflected light. This is good for determining the surface reflectivity of the ground. The top cell can be turned skyward to create a baseline reference. The system uses only 2 pins and is based on ambient planetary or moon light levels.

The schematic at right shows a system that provides the light source, to be shown on objects. The reflected light is detected. This system can be used for obstacle detection and avoidance in dark conditions.

The interest here is in measuring the ground material based on the lighting conditions. The typical IR combo transmitter receiver pair could do detection by transmitting IR light like a flashlight and looking for its reflective signature.

Perhaps a better approach is to read the signature from available light if the probe is operating in known minimal dawn or dusk conditions, and use a more sensitive programmable light to frequency chip manufactured by TI.

TSL 230 R

The program sets the sensitivity level, while two sensor chips, one a reference chip and the other chip viewing the unknown ground material takes readings for analysis. Such great sensitiviy and programming convenience comes at a price, by using more pins. Two chips use six pins. A transmitter receiver obstacle avoidance/detection IR system will typically use three pins.

One good, tried and true, method is that system used by the Parallax Penguin Robot. The schematic shows two systems utilized by this beloved little robot. It's a very powerful walking robot with many applications. The circuit uses RC methods to determine resistance which in turn is based on the level of light.

The Propeller program below is a snippet from the Parallax demo coded by Paul Baker and can be found at the link.

CON

  _clkmode = xtal1 + pll16x

  _XinFREQ = 5_000_000

  pin = 0 'pin connected to tsl230 output

  cbase = 1 'pin connected to S0 (S1 connected to cbase + 1)

  scale = %10 'scale value for tsl230 (=off,%01=x1,%10=x10,%11=x100)

  ctrmode = $28000000 'mode value for counter to operate as a frequency counter

OBJ

  term : "tv_text"

PUB go | old

  dira := %11 << cbase 'set scale pins to output

  outa := scale << cbase 'set scale value

  term.start(12) 'start terminal

  frqa := 1 'set counter to increment by one

  ctra := ctrmode + pin 'start counter

  repeat

   waitcnt(80_000_000 / 10 + cnt) 'wait for 100ms

   term.dec(phsa) 'output counter value

   term.out($0D) 'line feed

   phsa := 0 'reset counter value

Another program variation may be useful, as seen below. This depends on two objects, tv_text and tsl230.

tsl230 DEMO.spin
CON
_clkmode = xtal1 + pll16x
_XinFREQ = 5_000_000
OBJ
term : "tv_text"
lfs : "tsl230"
PUB Go
term.Start(12)
lfs.Start(0,1,10,true)
repeat
waitcnt(80_000_000 / 10 + cnt)
term.dec(lfs.GetSample)
term.out($0D)
AND yet here is another even more simplified demo. These programs were not found in the OBEX but rather on the Parallax Forum along with other code, including an object update by Mr. Degn. (see links)

CON
        _clkmode = xtal1 + pll16x
        _XinFREQ = 5_000_000
OBJ
  term : "tv_text"
  lfs  : "tsl230"
PUB Go
  term.start(12)
  lfs.Start(0,1,10,true)
  repeat
    waitcnt(80_000_000 / 10 + cnt)
    term.dec(lfs.GetSample)
    term.out($0D)

LINKS
Penguin Robot Society PRS 
http://www.p-robot.com/

Penguin Parallax Forum
http://forums.parallax.com/showthrea...061#post977061

Penguin Sticky
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/97288-Penguin-Resources

Penguin Manual with Schematics
http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/robo/27313-6PenguinDoc-v1.0.pdf

Parallax Manual for TSL 230 R
http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/audiovis/27924-TSL230R-v1.0.pdf

TSL 230 R Chip Apps
http://www.thereminworld.com/Forums/T/26460/a-one-chip-theremin

TSL 230 R Sparkfun Source
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/retired/8940

TSL 230 R Data Sheet 
http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/TSL230R-LF-e3.pdf

Forum Downloads for tsl230.spin & sts230 DEMO.spin
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/117955-TSL230-Program-Question

Bug Fixes to tsl230 Object by Duane Degn
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/148769-Bug-Fixes-to-TSL230-Object-in-Propeller-Tool-Library 

Build Tiny Stamp BOE

BUILD A TINY STAMP BS2 BOE
How to Build a Tiny BOE Board of Education

Article adapted from Penguin Tech Magazine PT1

Maybe smaller is better when it comes to tiny robots, little machines, and experimenting with projects on a budget. How about making a tiny BOE at a fraction of the cost of a full blown version? This project is ideal for hobbyists, students, schools and anyone on a budget, or project in the small space league.

BOE is the Board of Education, from Parallax Inc. It’s a development board on which to build many interesting basic stamp projects and it can be used over and over again, due to its convenient solderless breadboard and pin-out connectors. BOE is also the board driving the popular BOEBOT robot.

BOE’s uses are many, from controlling servos to offering convenient power regulation, a reset switch, and various well labeled connectors. BOE is the instrument by which you can get your projects running quickly and effectively. However, BOE is small but not tiny. It would be nice to have a tiny boe for robots smaller than BoeBot, such as Penguin Robot, and other projects with limited space requirements. This article examines a way to create a tiny BOE. This tiny BOE is portable and convenient, operating off the well known OEM Basic Stamp 2. Buy the kit (see links), collect the parts, and assemble the BOE. It's loads of fun!

Mainly, we connected an edge board connector and added a tiny solderless breadboard using double stick tape (the 3M kind to connect picture frames to the wall). Wiring is accomplished by leading wires from the edge connector to the breadboard. There are many applications for Tiny Boe. You can even make a Tiny BoeBot. It’s recommended to first make some standard connections for reset, and power.

LINKS
http://www.parallax.com/
Penguin Robot Society
BASIC Stamp 2 OEM Kit
Solderless Breadboard

BSS BASIC Stamp Supercomputer

The BASIC Stamp "Super Computer" BSS
PART 1

The BASIC Stamp Supercomputer is now 5 years of age, since it was introduced to the community in 2008. Let's revisit this machine and see exactly what's happened recently.

This is the Lab's first large scale parallel designed super computing experimental workhorse and testbed that was used for testing and years of experimenting prior to the Big Brain. This new series of posts will detail how it was built, evolved, and what it can do in terms of demonstrations and paving the way for more super machines.

The BSS led to at least fifteen more super computers (see genealogy) and evolved from the use of multiple single-core BASIC Stamp modules into multiple eight-core Propeller chips. It has led to the current supercomputer with over 100,000 processors. The BSS paved the path, enabling parallel computing and making the Big Brain possible.

Resources

http://www.p-robot.com/
http://www.p-robot.com/index.php/basic-stamp-supercomputer.html
Download software (22 programs)
Self Adjusting Master Code (New!)
Read the article in Penguin Tech 4
View the Schematic (page 6)
Watch the movie
Parallax Source Basic Stamp Supercomputer

BSS 22.zip‎ (55.6 KB) Software Downloads

(NOTE: This is a demonstration of basic principles to take some characteristics of a supercomputer, in particular the notion of larger multiples of relatively simple processors communicating over a common bus, each doing a portion of a task in parallel)




Edition 4 of Penguin Tech Magazine featured the BSS Supercomputer

My Supercomputer! I got the idea to make a model supercomputer at the basic hobby level to demonstrate the concept. It's super fast compared to single BASIC stamp, but be forewarned, it only beats out the worlds fastest supercomputers in ten other categories!

* Smaller
* Lighter
* Portable
* Field Operable
* Runs on Batteries
* Has the Greatest Number of (I/O)
* Has the greatest Number of Sensors/Variety
* Lowest Power Consumption
* Lowest Unit Cost
* Easiest to Program

It's a simple hobby project for fun and experimentation, using 11 Parallax Basic Stamp microcontrollers. (It was later expanded to 12, then 22 stamps). These "computers" are connected together for hardware/software clustered parallel processing. It's a fantastic learning tool and can control 176 peripherals/sensors. One application is for the more rapid development of robotic sensors and software.

it.youtube.com/watch?v=huukEEwy-3E
Some tips on watching the youtube vid. Select "Watch in high quality." Turn off sound, let the vid load in first by leaving for a break. When you come back, it will be loaded, turn up the sound, and watch it. It will run smoothly.

This is the World's First talking Basic Stamp Hobby Supercomputer!!! (and the World's 1st Supercomputer built from hobby microcontrollers) It communicates by English and Chinese voice (EMIC TTS board), lights (21 LEDs), vision, sound (12 speakers), motion (PIR), ports (176), infrared, Vibra Tab Mass detector, accelerometer, temperature chip, ultrasonics [PING)))], LCD Liquid Crystal Display, and a tiny uOLED color monitor. Attachments include a keyboard, 3D space mouse, and other goodies under development.


Final Rack Wiring Phase and Grounding Field Experiment

There's 22 switches, 11 are toggle and 11 are pushbutton. Fully loaded, it's only a few pounds weight, so it's very portable. The only concern is one wire popping off, as the breadboards, as handy as they are for rapid proto, are less than permanent. I prefer to keep it this way as the entire supercomputer can be disassembled for moving and for international travel.

It uses a one wire interface and has unlimited computer expansion. Additional stamps connect to the interface by routing only P0, Vdd, and Vss. It can be operated on batteries or a power supply. The basic boards only draw 18 to 30ma each. Even with attachments, such as the EMIC text to speech board (peaks at 157ma while talking) and the uOLED color monitor (peaks at 52ma), the current draw of all boards average around 340 ma. Computer 9 starts talking and the hive peaks at 360 ma.


All boards and sensors are shown working, drawing 311 ma at 9-volts DC. Eleven programs are running in parallel, controlling multiple sensors at the same time.

It runs well on batteries. I have used 11 zinc carbon batteries which cost about 29 cents each. It may be advisable to use alkaline batteries for the uOLED and EMIC as these draw more current. The uOLED can be programmed to consume less current, based on the colors it displays.

Individual Basic Stamps are able to switch on and off, for various special configurations. For example, a quick test of a sensor on one computer is possible just by toggling a switch and running software. Board combinations can also be run, for example, in combining sensors from computers #2, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 11.

Software sets up a Master Computer MC that's in charge of the remaining workers. The Master, or Boss, decides how to handle business, when to talk, who should talk, how to talk, and what to talk. In summary, it queries the Workers to gain data and information, which can be computational related or sensor related. With the 11-Stamp configuration, there are 10 worker programs and 1 Master program running in parallel. The hardware parallel computer cluster runs in parallel also. This can achieve some incredible power, especially when considering the availability of 176 ports, many of which can contain sensors and circuits.


Earlier wiring stage, showing use of clips to hold
boards and wiring

The youtube video shows all 11 computers communicating. You will see the Master send out individual "wake-up" calls to the computers it wishes to speak to. For example, to wake up computer 8, it sends out "c8." Computer 8 will respond by saying, "I'm computer eight." It lets the Master know when it has finished data transfer by sending its signature, a c8. All computers can simultaneously perform calculations and take sensor readings, however, they must report their data to the Master one at a time.

A nice feature is the LCD that monitors traffic on the supernet. The LED Traffic Monitor is connected to the supernet without any computer requirement. It runs by itself, although its formatting is best controlled by Stamp PBASIC. It's quite fascinating to sit back and watch these computers talk back and forth to each other.

Supercomputer Self Diagnostics SSD are also built into the software. At startup, the LED array bus bar lights a single LED data light for each of the working computers, and a piezo speaker provides check data from an alternate pin. This routine works well for immediately knowing which computer is available and ready. Troubleshooting, for debugging software purposes, is a gold mine. There's access up to 21 LED data lights, LCD text and numerical output, Piezo sound pin data, and uOLED monitor output for text streaming and numerical data logging output information.


Three bus lines - Data LEDs, Toggle
Switches, and Power Control are made
from clothes hangers machined with a
hobby tool.

There are 10 workers and one master. The master handles the parallel network traffic and polls workers for information. I originally planned 10 BS2 computers. Curiosity got the best of me when I wondered if other stamps could easily interface. The answer found was yes, when the 11th computer, a BS2px on a BOE, was connected. Most of the remaining computers are Basic Stamp HomeWork boards. I now have computer number 12, a BS2sx that I'm working with.

Why Build a Supercomputer? Here's some reasons:

• Learning experiences & challenges
• Expanding education & knowledge
• Gaining useful background for career
• Research Benefits
• Extending Basic Stamp power
• Creating new inventions, ideas, applications
• Own your own, prestige
• School project, credit
• Involvement, sense of great accomplishment
• Psychological relaxation, Symbolic Value
• Sharing, making new friends
 
A lengthy writeup appears, with plans, more photos, schematics, build instructions, and software, in Penguin Tech Magazine.

The BSS has led to many other styles and types of Basic Stamp Supercomputers, each with a specific purpose. It also led to many supercomputer Propeller platforms.

• Basic Stamp Supercomputer
• Handbook of Basic Stamp Supercomputing
• Stamp Seed Supercomputer
• A.I. for Basic Stamp Seed Supercomputer & TriCore
• 3D Stamp Computer
• Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer
• TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
• Penguin's Big Brain Supercomputer

BASIC Stamp Supercomputer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765140
1st hobby supercomputer using BASIC Stamps. Popularized putting together many processors to make a more powerful machine. Improved and upgraded to contain over 20 stamps.

Stamp SEED Supercomputer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=817126
World’s 1st living stamp supercomputer. Ten Stamp processors - each is a life form. They are born, develop a unique personality, talk to neighbors, remember conversation, recall information, do work, nap, sleep, and dream. Includes wireless transceiver.

TriCore Stamp Supercomputer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=822511
For testing and developing other supercomputers. Three Stamp processors = minimum requirement to test/ develop the Stamp SEED Supercomputer. Rapidly load/test multiple processor code. Includes lite version of life form code from Stamp SEED Supercomputer.

Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=821451
Smallest possible supercomputer, lowest cost, increases power of one processor. Contains two processors. Used for testing/writing code related to connecting Stamps together, establishing baud rates, timing/syntax, and exploring various network configurations.

Tiny Stamp Supercomputer
Not released. The world's 1st first hand-held BASIC Stamp supercomputer. Absolutely most powerful, considering it has the smallest footprint with many tiny networked processors. Has its own book with 30 fun projects. Includes Architecture, Assembly, Programming, Tutorial, Applications, Complete Code. The TSS has multiple computers, LCD monitor, radio transmitter, receiver, speakers, breadboard real estate and a 64K EEPROM memory board, interfaced to a tiny Hub. The TSS Stamp supercomputer is so small, it will fit into a soup bowl or coat pocket. Includes special features such as hardware programming "on the fly."

Two-Stamp BASIC Stamp Supercomputer
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765140
The wiring for connecting a BS2sx to a BS2px BASIC Stamp processor - how to amplify the power of one Stamp. This is entirely different from the Minuscule Stamp Supercomputer which uses different BASIC Stamp processors.

Handbook of Basic Stamp Supercomputing
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=841541
This book is written to answer many questions about hobby BASIC Stamp Supercomputers and offer a starting point for construction of your own Stamp Supercomputer. Includes apps and programming and many details to get you started immediately. Delves into Stamp Artificial Intelligence and many aspects of Stamp super computing. Electronic version is posted and available for download free of charge.

Penguin with 12 Brains (aka Penguin on Supercomputer)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765509
World's smartest Parallax Penguin Robot. In this project, Penguin's brain was connected to the BASIC Stamp Supercomputer. This created the potential to write 16,000 instructions, added all the resources of the Basic Stamp Supercomputer, 176 controlling ports, color uOLED display, green screen LCD, ultrasonic vision, presence sensors, memory, speech in English and Chinese.

Master Offloader Machine (MOM)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=765140
The Master Offloader Machine was conceived from the need to offload intensive duties of the Master Computer in the BASIC Stamp Supercomputer (BSS). MOM was the first supercomputing project to show that connecting together multiple BASIC Stamp 1s and Stamp 2 flavors was possible. Contained ten processors.

3DSC (4 Dimensional Morphing Computer)
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=799604
World’s first 3D Stamp Computer to explore a multi-dimensional universe. Initially designed for simple space-time simulations. Includes three networked BASIC Stamp 1’s using Dx boards. Upgraded to include two servo-driven moving cores. Many applications developed for advanced hobbyists, students, teachers, designed for classrooms, high school Physics and advanced university level experiments with sound, light, time, motion, heat, etc. Upgraded with a Stamp 2 coprocessor.


http://www.p-robot.com/
http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=10
http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=huukEEwy-3E

Air Travel Chain Effect

AIR TRAVEL CHAIN EFFECT - Stay Safe & Protect Electronics

EVA Airline Technicians inspect wheels and tires before departure. EVA Air is viewed by many as one of the safest and most convenient ways to travel. In a hot climate, aircraft air conditioning is extremely important as well as careful luggage handling and safe flight history.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. How to stay safe and protect electronics during air travel.

Big Brain EXOskeleton As shown in the photo below, the Big Brain Exoskeleton incurred damage during the recent shipment out of China, even though it was carefully wrapped in surrounding blankets. It's always a little confusing - are you on China Air or Air China? The metal brass spacer holding the LCD broke off at the thread position (see top right). The nut with the broken threads is seen just above the top left corner of the white solderless breadboard. Normally such precarious position on the EXO would have a remedy modification for strengthening the mount. However in this case, we like the EXO idea so much, it will be a simple matter to just replace the brass spacer. What's so desirable about the EXO design? Even though mounting wires and components on the outside of the Big Brain machine can compromise its function during rough handling, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. The ease and convenience of wiring, rewiring, examination, inspection, modifications, and upgrades are super easy. Lighting is also at a premium and photographing the layout is easy. For future shipping, remove the LCDs.

OOPS - Big Brain EXOskeleton Broken in luggage

Parallax Penguin Robot

Penguin robots are very strong and sturdy, built with nylon and machined metal. However, Chinese luggage handlers maintain their reputation to be stronger. It's estimated this luggage was dropped from a height of 12 feet. The majority of the shipped assembled penguins broke at the legs linkage connecting to the servo. Most had the white nylon servo linkage (servo horn) that connects the legs linkage to NARO servo broken. This appears to be the weakest link in the Penguin robot chain. For future shipping, remove the servo horns.

Parallax Toddler Robot

The weakest link in the Toddler robot chain is the underside stride linkage. For future shipping, remove the stride servo horn.

Solderless Breadboards

Nylon polymer solderless breadboards, which were wired with Parallax Propeller chips, completely survived the rough handling. They were wrapped in towels. A photographic schematic was first created and interconnecting wires were removed. These boards easily stack during shipping.