Category Archives: Robot

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The Nagra IV-S, a Beautiful Recording Relic

October 13th, 2013 | Robot

Nagra IV-S

The NAGRA IV-S is a portable stereo designed by the famous Polish audio engineer, Stefan Kudelski (the term “Nagra” means “will record” in Polish).  These machines were the standard sound recording systems for motion picture and television production from the 1960’s to the 1990’s, and they are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional.
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It’s really a masterpiece of recording technology.  The machines are known to capture the human voice extremely well, with a natural sound, clear and open. It’s also one of the best tape transport methods — nothing touches the oxide during fast wind and the braking system is notably gentle, perfect for a tape archivist or conservator.

Nagra_IV_S

You unfortunately may never see a NAGRA IV-S as it’s no longer made, though used samples regularly turn up on Internet auction sites. You’ll probably have to shell out somewhere around 00 to get your hands on one.
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Here you can see the NAGRA IV-S in action:

It’s also important to note that before the NAGRA, movie sets had to use devices that were so big that they needed several people to carry them around. The introduction of the NAGRA series brought in the wave of mobile recording.
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Randy Thom, director of sound design for Skywalker Sound in Marin County, Calif., said that “it was one of the tools that made the French New Wave possible, by allowing the young directors in the late 50s and early 60s … to shoot a scene almost anywhere they could think of shooting one.”

If you do manage to get your hands on a NAGRA IV-S, I recommend this site to figure out how to use it.

-RSB

“Box” – A Projection-Mapping Project from Bot & Dolly

September 24th, 2013 | Robot

Box from Bot and Dolly

Bot & Dolly is a self-described “small company with big robots.” Specifically, they’re an engineering and design firm that is attempting to use their “big robots” to revolutionize filmmaking. This recent project, known simply as “Box,” implements the 3D projection-mapping process to create a truly magical demonstration.

Projection Mapping is a rather old concept (dating back to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland in the late 1960’s), but it has recently come into prominence with the development of specialized hardware and software. Almost any surface can be used to display the 3-dimensional images, so this technology has wide-ranging applications.

It will be exciting to see what this design firm produces next. Find more robotics at Bot & Dolly’s site.

-RSB

Space Teriyaki – A Collection of Japanese Illustration from 50 Watts

September 18th, 2013 | Robot, Space

Space Teriyaki 1

Noriyoshi Orai, late 70s

Space Teriyaki 2

“Blood maintaining life by conveying various substances,” illustration by Kazuho Itoh for “Newton,” 80s

Space Teriyaki 3

“Falling motion,” illustration by Kazuho Itoh for “Newton,” mid-80s

Space Teriyaki 4

Shusei Nagaoka, from Androla in Labyrinth, 1984

Space Teriyaki 5

Masao Minami, early 70s

Space Teriyaki 6

Shusei Nagaoka, from Androla in Labyrinth, 1984

Space Teriyaki 7

Natsuo Noma, late 80s

Space Teriyaki 9

Takashi Yamazaki cyber cycle 1985

Space Teriyaki 8

Atsushi Yoshioka

50 Watts is one of the best vintage design & illustration blogs on the web. Space Teriyaki, a collection of books and catalogs on Japanese illustration and design from the 70’s and 80’s, embodies the brand of intriguing and rare content that Will Schofield has gathered.

I’ve always enjoyed Japanese illustration and have featured the likes of Kazumasa Nagai and Yusaku Kamekura before. The pieces from this era tend to share a boldness in both color and form.

If you’ve enjoyed these, you can find more at 50 Watts.

-RSB

Daft Punk – Back in Time

August 26th, 2013 | Robot, Space

Daft Punk - Back in Time

French artist PV NOVA remixed the smash hit “Get Lucky” from Daft Punk in the musical style of every decade from the last 100 years. The result is fantastic! I think my favorites are the 1930’s and 1980’s versions, and the 1990’s and 2010’s are my least favorite…
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 What’s your opinion?

The last segment (2020) is NOVA’s interpretation of where music is heading in the next decade.
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God, I hope he’s wrong.

Here’s the loosely translated quote from PV NOVA:

“I enjoyed making a panorama of musical styles from the 1920’s onward.  We can go from jazz to blues, blues to swing, swing or rock, then folk, funk, new wave, dance, pop, dubstep and even freestep, the musical current not yet in existence and I offer you a preview – because I am in communication with oracles.
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”

-RSB

CT Scanner – Inner Workings Revealed

August 21st, 2013 | Brain, Robot

CT Scanner Without Cover

What is a CT Scanner? Are you sure this isn’t a Time Machine?

Well, CT stands for Computed Tomography.  The machine is basically a traditional X-ray machine that spins around the patient so that it can acquire many different images of the body.  A computer algorithm converts the images into layered scans to allow radiologists to sift through them looking for tumors, internal bleeds, pneumonia, and a range of other conditions. The final images look something like this.

CT scans are one of the most frequently ordered diagnostic tests in emergency departments in the United States (many say they are ordered way too much), so it’s important to know a little bit about how they work… And unfortunately, no, it is not a time machine.

Here is a labeled image to give you a bit more detail into how it works:

CT Scanner Without Cover Labeled

1: X-ray tube

2: High voltage power source and transformer

3: Scintillation detectors with 5 cooling fans

4: Fluid pump and radiator for cooling the X-ray tube

All of these components make 2 to 3 complete turns per second around the patient.

So how does the CT Scanner stay electrically powered while spinning?

To keep the machine charged without tangling the cords, CT scanners rely on the technology of the Slip Ring:

A Slip Ring is basically an electromechanical device that allows the transmission of power and electrical signals from a stationary to a rotating structure, in this case, from the base to the rotating scanner.  One difference between the image below and the slip rings of CT Scanners is that there is a pool of liquid metal molecularly bonded to the contacts instead of the sliding brush. This decreases friction even more to allow constant rotation of the scanner.

 

Slip Ring

Hopefully you found this interesting and at least somewhat easy to understand. For further reading, head here.

-RSB

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