Design, Build and Program Your Own Realistic Androids and Robots

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Info about androids, electronics and programmming
For the PDF (Portable Document Format) files listed you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader
free to download from Adobe Systems

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All kinds of interesting stuff (well I find it interesting even if you don't) listed below including websites, magazines, university and research sites. Free detailed information including circuit schematics. Each topic below has it's own page. Some of the content is original to this site, some of it, such as the data sheets, comes from elsewhere. I've tried to organize it so it is as helpful as possible. If you want to link to this site PLEASE link to this page since the other links may be changed/renamed over time. Please feel free to repost any of the contents/links you find here to your own website or group. The only thing I ask is that if you are reposting please post to an age-appropriate site/group (mature/adult) and add a warning for any content/link having sexual content.

• Sensual androids Androids as personal companions and more. Do-it-yourself info, biomimetics, and functional human sex anatomy (female anatomy, 24 page PDF file, NEW! male anatomy 8 page PDF file). Added Anthropometry and Biomechanics Data (joint range of motion) December 2006. Added Pleo robot link January 2007 and to the Scientific American article by Bill Gates on the future of robots! Lots of info so you can start work on your own personal sex android or love doll today. Links to academic sites (including MIT robotics lab) and a Japanese doll site. A simple Java audio clip player that plays clips at random from a list when activated by a mouse click or switch (great for adding a voice to your android, robot or doll). Info on converting rotary motion into linear motion, useful when creating an android or robot. New resources on USB added to the simple android page. Lots of robot engineering and design data. Caution: Some sexual content.
• Simple parallel port (printer port) interface you can build for less than $15 The parallel port is an obsolete port BUT it is very simple and cheap for experimenters to use. Our parallel port interface is very easy to construct (can be built and tested in an afternoon for the advanced version) and very easy to use even for beginners. Control your android with a computer. Complete instructions contained in .pdf document. Some demonstration source code in the BASIC programming language. How to control high voltage/amperage DC (direct current) power and 117 volt AC (alternating current) power with simple opto-isolator circuits. Data sheets for all components (including CMOS chips, ULN2803, LM7805) Programming documentation. Info on accessing the parallel port from Windows using Java and C.
• Android, Robot, Golem and Artificial Life in Science Fiction and Literature including the classics "The Sandman", "L'Eve Future" (Tomorrow's Eve) and "Frankenstein". Full text in HTML format of Metropolis by Thea Von Harbou from Project Gutenberg of Australia. Info about "The Golem" including commentary on the golem in popular culture (TV shows The Simpsons and The X-Files). Just added "Steam Man" dime novel 19th century fiction by Edward S. Ellis and Harry Enton. Read the complete "The Steam Man of the Prairies" by Edward S. Ellis from Project Gutenberg. The complete text of Frankenstein is also available. Robots and androids from mythology.
• You can create speech from text files with this simple Java interface Add speech output to your Java application easily. Uses a free (for non-commercial applications) speech synthesizer you can download. Make your doll or android talk! Complete source code and test app. Tweak the source code for better speech output. Over 50 speech files available; most major languages are represented (available from the Mbrola website).
• Build a talking head using an audio signal (from computer audio card, CD player etc.) to operate an electric motor to move a jaw. Gives the illusion of talking. Simple, easy-to-build low-cost circuit. Use for novelty or entertainment or as a starting point for your own talking android or doll. Originally called "Fred the Head" in Popular Electronics article. Schematic and description.
• 3D Scanning Techniques for recording 3D data of humans and inanimate objects including work with simple digital cameras. Practice and theory. Create virtual humans with the data.
• Voice recognition Low cost hardware ($5) voice recognition for interactivity. Open source (freeware) link for voice recognition software. Off-the-shelf technology you can embed in your android. Your creation can respond to the sound of your voice.