Regarding 100 cool robot ideas mentioned in TLIHR episode 16 of, here's an idea I've been working on.
I'm exploring a new type of game playing robot - one that can compete with people in fun games.
As a first trial, I designed a robot based on “Mad Dog" challenge as seen on NBC game show "Minute to Win It."
In "Mad Dog," two Tic-Tac boxes are mounted to each end of a 12 inch ruler; contestants pick up the ruler with their teeth and have to shake out all the Tic-Tacs within a minute.
Mad Dog Robot functions: [1] mechanical jaw opens / closes, and tightly holds the ruler, [2] simulated neck rapidly tilts ruler clockwise / counterclockwise about 45 degrees from horizontal, and finally [3] a powered platform moves robot forward / backward to pickup and replace the ruler.
At the recent Detroit Maker Faire I offered attendees the opportunity to compete head to head with the robot drag race style to see who could shake all the tic-tacs out the quickest. About 250 people accepted the challenge. The people/robot win ratio was about 50/50. In the end everyone had a good time and the project received a Make Editors Choice award.
I found this project to be an interesting and fun challenge ... already thinking about Mad Dog robot improvements and considering my next "Minute to Win It" game playing robot.
For anyone seeking more info here are a few links...
Build Info: http://www.instructables.com/ search for “Mad Dog Robot”
Videos: http://www.youtube.com/ search for “Mad Dog Robot” - robot in action + some technical details
Other Game Playing Robot Ideas based on Minute to Win It game show - http://www.nbc.com/minute-to-win-it/how-to/ there are dozens of games
Paul