First live streaming compressed video.

Sun Micro Systems - Scott McNealy , First Global Internet Stream December 1992.

https://github.com/johnsokol/holiday_greeting_1992  Source recording with Solaris 2.4 and 2.5 video player software.  

I need a old copy of Solaris 2.4 or 2.5 on a SparkStation or emulator to capture an Mpeg4 of this.

player will play TESTME or holiday greeting 1992 files out to local audio and standard X Windows.

Still looking for the source code for these.

This should be a precursor to : Sun's CellB Video Encoding rfc2029

http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~hgs/rtp/drafts/draft-ietf-avt-cellb-06.txt

"CellB, derived from CellA, has been optimized for network-based video applications. It is computationally symmetric in both encode and decode. CellB utilizes a fixed colormap and vector quantization techniques in the YUV color space to achieve compression."

I came in and implemented that change to there codec in a few days, and did the stream, I have no idea what happened to that code after I left my brief contract in 1992.

Me (John Sokol) back in 1992 (age 25) . Testing the first working version. 

This Robot Glides Like an Ice Skater

Overboard

April 2018. A robot that simulates a rider by going over an unmodified hoverboard. Hence Overboard. http://johnsokol.blogspot.com/2022/12/overboard-hoverboard-robot.html 

Project Overboard.

 A robot that simulates a rider by going over an unmodified hoverboard. Hence Overboard.

Robots taking over construction?

 

Two of my former mentees started remote control construction companies. 

Shaolong Sui former CTO of Roboterra. 

BuilderX Robotics of China

 https://www.builderxrobotics.com/

Cow robot, 3 years of evolution driving around and office.

Cow originally started as a GoPiGo3 

Powered by 4 AA batteries originally it was just a gopigo3  that use 2 of the yellow TT motors with a magnetic encoder board there is some PID controller that would make sure the motor moves so many ticks, but under telepresence control of random strangers across the internet , users would try to cause maximum damage as possible because they were anonymous. 

One day I came in to the office to smell burning plastic smell..  they wedged the robot in to a corner where the wheel was unable to turn or loose traction with the ground to be able to reach the commanded position and the control software applied 100 % current till the plastic started melting.  I could hardly believe they almost set fire to one of those motors. Fortunately I was able to replace it  with a roboterra motor, with encoders that was almost a direct drop in. 

 

As we ran it around the office for weeks, I added a 3.09 Lbs 12v 5 ah Sealed Lead Acid Battery to replace the 4 AA batteries, the gave me a reliable week of run time.

 

Over time much had to be added to prevent it from getting stuck on door jams and chair legs. 

mostly the large bumpers in front would protect it from driving over things it could get stuck on. Keep in mind it's now carrying the 3 pound battery on it back. 

https://medium.com/@jillianogle/the-end-of-lets-robot-41c68b766284

 Roboterra's version of COW. made of  folded anodize aluminum. With Raspberry Pi, 

and a robocore, Arduino board. 

Introducing World’s Lightest 120fps OpenIPC FPV Dual Board Air Unit

https://youtu.be/zOlGxy5lYkA?si=iBEfu6S-P7A5tidJ

https://openipc.org/

OpenIPC is an alternative open firmware for your IP camera.

OpenIPC is an open-source operating system targeting IP cameras with ARM and MIPS processors from several manufacturers in order to replace that closed, opaque, insecure, often abandoned and unsupported firmware pre-installed by a vendor.

Famous robots from film, literature, and pop culture

 Famous robots from film, literature, and pop culture have captured imaginations for years! Here’s a list of some of the most iconic ones:

1. R2-D2 and C-3PO (Star Wars) – This duo is legendary, blending humor, loyalty, and advanced technology in the Star Wars universe.

2. Optimus Prime (Transformers) – The noble leader of the Autobots, who transforms from a truck into a heroic robot fighting to protect Earth.

3. HAL 9000 (2001: A Space Odyssey) – A highly intelligent (and somewhat ominous) AI system with control over the spaceship Discovery One.

4. The Terminator (T-800) (The Terminator series) – This cyborg, portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a futuristic AI-infused killing machine that evolves into a protector.

5. Wall-E (WALL-E) – A lonely waste-collecting robot on a deserted Earth who reminds humanity of their own values and responsibilities.

6. Data (Star Trek: The Next Generation) – An android with a deep desire to understand humanity and emotions.

7. The Iron Giant (The Iron Giant) – A massive alien robot with a gentle heart, highlighting themes of friendship, self-discovery, and non-violence.

8. Johnny 5 (Short Circuit) – A curious and lovable robot who becomes self-aware and just wants to be “alive.”

9. Chappie (Chappie) – An experimental police robot in Johannesburg who gains human-like intelligence and grapples with morality.

10. KITT (Knight Rider) – The iconic talking, crime-fighting car with advanced AI, assisting its driver, Michael Knight.

11. EVA (Ex Machina) – A lifelike android with AI that challenges the ethics of AI-human relationships and intelligence.

12. Mega Man – The iconic video game robot who fights for justice and peace, navigating moral and ethical choices as he faces other robots.

13. Robbie the Robot (Forbidden Planet) – One of the first robots in cinema, showcasing advanced technology and programmed loyalty.

14. Bender (Futurama) – A sarcastic, drinking, and somewhat morally gray robot whose antics capture our imagination of a more humorous AI.

15. TARS and CASE (Interstellar) – Multi-functional robots with unique personalities, aiding astronauts with humor and loyalty in space.

These famous robot "stars" each offer a unique vision of what it means to be a robot, raising questions about AI, autonomy, ethics, and humanity. Let me know if you'd like more on any specific robot or the themes around them!

This should be an opinion poll.