🤖 NASA-JPL Open Source Rover: off-the-shelf edition

The JPL Open Source Rover is an open source, build it yourself, scaled down version of the 6 wheel rover design that JPL uses to explore the surface of Mars. The Open Source Rover is designed entirely out of consumer off the shelf parts.

The robot has the following features:
➡️ Rocker-Bogie: The Rocker-Bogie suspension system allows all 6 wheels to continually be in contact with the ground while climbing over obstacles
➡️ Differential Pivot: Allows weight to be mechanically offloaded from one side of the rover to the other while climbing
➡️ 6-Wheel Ackerman Steering: Driving and steering/turning mechanism that governs where the wheels point and how fast each of them will move.

This project is intended to be a teaching and learning experience for those who want to get involved in mechanical engineering, software, electronics, robotics but is also an excellent research platform for rugged terrain.

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#projects #robots

🔌 The O.MG Cable: A Hacker's Silent Weapon

In the realm of cybersecurity, the O.MG cable stands as a potent tool, offering hackers an inconspicuous means to infiltrate devices. This modified USB cable, disguised as an ordinary connector, thrives on its ability to blend into any environment. Hackers can surreptitiously deploy it in public spaces, patiently awaiting an unwitting victim to connect.

Once plugged in, the O.MG cable grants hackers remote access to the target device, equipped with hidden hardware for covert control. It facilitates data exfiltration, allowing hackers to discreetly siphon sensitive information, including passwords and files.

The dual nature of the O.MG cable, as both a commonplace accessory and a hacker's silent weapon, underscores the evolving challenges in the ongoing battle for digital security. Its deceptive appearance, remote capabilities, and data exfiltration potential make it a formidable asset in the world cybercrime.

#articles #security

💻 Raspberry Pi 5 is coming out at the end of October!

The Raspberry Pi 5 represents a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the Pi 4. Boasting enhanced speed and an array of new features, here's an overview of this product:

The Pi 5 is a powerhouse, delivering performance that is 2.5 times faster than the Pi 4. This is made possible by the inclusion of a new BCM 2712 SOC featuring a quad-core ARM A76 CPU running at 2.4 GHz. Additionally, it incorporates LPDDR4x RAM for faster and more efficient operations.

Despite the increased capabilities, the Pi 5 maintains its credit card size and is competitively priced, starting at $60 for the 4GB version and $80 for the 8GB variant.

The Pi 5 introduces a PCI Express port, a long-awaited addition that allows high-speed expansion through a custom FPC connector. This opens up possibilities for connecting graphics cards, NVMe SSDs, and various other PCI Express devices. Power management is enhanced with a new chip featuring a built-in real-time clock, enabling the Pi to keep time like a conventional computer. It also measures power consumption and supports USB-C power delivery for power-hungry USB accessories.

The Pi 5 comes with a dual-purpose cam/display port, providing flexibility for connecting cameras, displays, or a combination of both. Quality-of-life upgrades include the addition of a real power button, a new dual-purpose status LED, an improved case design with better airflow, and the option for an active cooler. Efficiency is improved, with the Pi 5 consuming only 1.8 Watts at idle. It supports a 5-amp power supply for full USB 3 speed.

The Video Core 7 GPU on the Pi 5 is a standout feature, capable of handling 4K displays at 60Hz, decoding H.265 video at 4K 60fps, and driving two 4K displays simultaneously. In terms of pricing, the Pi 5 offers excellent value, with the 4GB model starting at $60, making it a compelling choice for those seeking increased processing power and expanded capabilities.

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#news #raspberry

🤖 Disney Unveils Expressive 3D-Printed Robot with Unique Walking Style at IROS 2023

The robot, created by Disney Research in Zurich, is a 3D-printed, child-size robot with expressive features such as a highly mobile head, wiggly antennae, and stubby legs. What sets this robot apart is its unique walking style that adds a sense of personality, making it appear distinctly alive.

Its design includes a four-degree-of-freedom head and five-degree-of-freedom legs with hip joints, enabling dynamic balance while walking. Disney Research aims to bridge the gap between animators and roboticists by developing a reinforcement learning-based pipeline. This system allows animators to expressively design motions while considering real-world constraints, with the pipeline translating these visions into robust robotic movements. The collaboration between animators and roboticists is crucial to creating a character that can convey emotions through both its movements and walking style.

The robot serves as a promising platform for expressive robotics, and its hardware-agnostic design allows for rapid iteration and adaptation. The article emphasizes that the significance lies not just in the specific robot but in the overall process and potential for creating a variety of expressive robotic characters with different morphologies and behaviors. Disney Research envisions using this technique to develop more physical robotic characters, pushing the boundaries of expressive and dynamic robotic motions.

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#articles #robots

💻 ESP32-DIV: Wireless Network Tool

The ESP32-DIV is a multifunctional device designed to assist network administrators, security enthusiasts, and IoT developers in managing wireless networks. Combining the power of the ESP32 microcontroller, an ST7735 TFT LCD screen, and user-friendly microswitches, the gadget offers features such as real-time packet monitoring, Wi-Fi network analysis, beacon spam simulation, and deauthentication attack detection. The TFT LCD screen provides visual feedback, making it a comprehensive tool for troubleshooting and gaining insights into wireless network dynamics.

In terms of functionality, the ESP32-DIV focuses on essential aspects of wireless network management. The packet monitor captures and analyzes network traffic, while the Wi-Fi analyzer scans for nearby networks, providing details on SSIDs, signal strengths, and security protocols. Additionally, the gadget allows users to simulate beacon frames for educational purposes and actively monitors for deauthentication packets, alerting users to potential security threats. With its combination of hardware components and diverse features, the ESP32-DIV is positioned as a valuable tool for those seeking efficient wireless network understanding and management.

The ESP32-DIV device offers:
➡️ Real-time packet monitoring for network traffic analysis.
➡️ Wi-Fi network scanning for SSIDs, signal strengths, and security protocols.
➡️ Beacon spam simulation for educational insights into network dynamics.
➡️ Deauthentication attack detection with visual and audible alerts.

More information:
🔗 Main article
😹 GitHub page
📺 YouTube video

#projects #esp32