About C++ : Almost everything said for Java also applies for C++, just more so: where Python code is typically 3-5 times shorter than equivalent Java code, it is often 5-10 times shorter than equivalent C++ code! Anecdotal evidence suggests that one Python programmer can finish in two months what two C++ programmers can’t complete in a year. Pyt... continue reading
In this not very long post, lets see how Python, Javascript and Perl compare. Python’s “object-based” subset is roughly equivalent to JavaScript. Like JavaScript (and unlike Java), Python supports a programming style that uses simple functions and variables without engaging in class definitions. However, for JavaScript, that’s all there is. Pyt... continue reading
In this and a series of following articles, we take you through brief comparisons between programming languages concentrate on language issues only so you can figure out which one is best for your use. In practice, the choice of a programming language is often dictated by other real-world constraints such as cost, availability, training, and pri... continue reading
Even though you are free to pick a language (and a third party NLP library written in the same) of your choice to attempt a solution to the online programming event, Echelon, at Robotix 2012, there are certain reasons we recommend Python (and Python - NLTK) to beginners. Let us have a look at the general picture. If you do much work on compute... continue reading
Though carrying out Natural Language Processing (NLP) for the Robotix 2012 event Echelon might seem a daunting task, the tools for such are readily available online. The programmer need only concern himself with the appropriate usage of these tools to achieve his ends. This article deals with doing so using Java. And if you’re one of those who i... continue reading
[caption id=”attachment_122” align=”alignright” width=”300” caption=”The RoboSoccer Challenge”][/caption] The Freshers’ RoboSoccer Challenge conducted this year turned out to be a delight with participants being mighty enthusiastic about making and playing with their very first Robots! Though in principle these robots were merily differential... continue reading
Biomimicry is one of the most inspiring fields around which present day robotics researches revolve. It is our technology exchange with mother nature, who cranks out newer and newer designs that we have never even dreamt of and many that we haven’t been able to figure out yet. The reason being evident that it is one of the most energy efficien... continue reading
LEGOMindstorms ® NXT ® is a product offered by the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of toys, LEGO. It ships as a kit, which consists of the NXT or the CPU, various components such as axles, gears, and other fabricated plastic parts that make it very easy to assemble and modify your robot quickly. Creating good looking robots really easily see... continue reading
At slower speeds, line following is pretty simple - if the sensors say it is going left, steer right and if going right, steer left. This process has its limitations though, mainly when the speed is increased. This is when a PID controller starts to shine. PID stands for** Proportional, Integral and Derivative**. A **PID **controller is a mat... continue reading
Let us look back at ROBOTIX 2011 from the point of view of a robotics aficionado with a fetish for out - of – the – box solutions to even the minimum of robot tasks. As we dug into our archives, we found a treasure trove of interesting robots that featured in this year’s edition of the fest. Without a lengthy preamble, lets head straight into t... continue reading