“I tinker,” said Tony Stark.
Any Marvel fanboy will easily recognize that quote from Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark in Iron Man 3. Arguably, Tony Stark is the greatest tinkerer in any comic or superhero movie.
What doesn’t he make? Hot rods? Yep. Computers. Yep. Robots? Yep!
In the real world, tinkerers like Tony Stark (and the team from Phalanx Robotics) love to develop something new and exciting. For tinkerers who are not genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropists, maker spaces serve as an outlet for that creative, DIY vibe.
Robots from Makerspace
Ok, that line may sound a bit weird. However, the facts are not far from the truth. How can we say that?
Hobbyists and tinkerers need tools and work space. Many have outgrown their garage or basement. Plus, tinkerers need powerful tools to create bigger things like robots. Why use hand tools when MIG welders are accessible?
That’s where makerspaces come in. For a small investment, tinkerers, hobbyists and aspiring Tony Starks can get training and access to just abut any tool needed. This is why maker spaces have become so popular over the past few years.
In southern Indiana, Maker 13 serves as a leading makerspace for tinkerers like Phalanx Robotics. Founded by two Samtec employees, Maker 13 offers all the toys from wood and metal working, lasers and 3D printing to vinyl printing and an electronics station.
Isn’t that what you need to build a robot? Take a look below.
Interesting . . .
Phalanx used a number of Samtec Flexible Stacking and Micro Rugged solutions in their bot. Check out the links to our new Picture Search to find similar solutions for your battlebot or DIY project.
Off to BattleBots
Unfortunately, like everything else in 2020, BattleBots has been delayed multiple times. Thanks, Covid-19!
In any case, the team at Phalanx Robotics continues to put the finishing touches on their Aegis bot. For more details on their progress, see our previous interviews with Andrew Godfrey Part 1 and Part Deux.
Phalanx and the other BattleBots competitors are chomping at the bit for robot combat. Stay tuned to the the Samtec blog for more updates on Phalanx Robotics.
No doubt, Tony Stark will be watching . . . from somewhere.
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