BUGbase, the Foundation for “the Lego of Gadgets”
Similar to Lego Bricks, BUG is an excellent educational tool. It is a collection of easy to use electronic modules that can snap together to build any gadget you can imagine. Each BUGmodule represents a specific gadget function. (ex. A camera, a video output, a keyboard, etc.) You decide which functions to include and BUG takes care of the rest. BUG allows you to try out different combinations quickly and easily. In order to use BUG, you need to be able to write software applications in JAVA.
BUGbase ‘Hiro P’ Edition is the foundation for all BUG devices. It is a fully programmable LINUX computer equipped with a fast CPU, 128MB RAM, rechargeable battery, USB, Ethernet and a small LCD with button controls. Each BUGbase has four connectors for BUGmodules and includes a small tripod. The ‘Hiro P’ will cost $299 when it becomes available. The first BUGmodules will be BUGlocate (GPS Receiver) for $79, BUGmotion (motion detector and accelerator) for $49, BUGview (Full-color hi-res touch screen) for $99 and BUGcam2MP (2 Megapixel Digital Camera) for $69.
BUG helps you to explore the realm of personalized devices and applications. With BUG you can find ways to solve many of the problems current gadgets can’t. BUG Labs gives this illustration on their website: “For example, with BUG you can easily assemble and program a GPS + digital camera device that automatically publishes geo-tagged photos as a web service, integrating with an online photo-sharing service like Flickr is only a few more lines of code away, and you have your own real-time, connected traffic-enabled mobile webcam!”
BUG is designed with collaborative development in mind. The online community is called BUGnet which is tied directly into the BUG SDK. This system encourages developers to connect with others, share information and jointly build products and services. BUG is the Lego of the 21st century for techno-adepts. The current modules (BUG Labs promises to begin shipping of orders before March 17th) encourages users to plug it in and see what happens. BUG is designed to encourage exploration of technological devices. Tinkering with BUG could result in many scientific breakthroughs and innovations.
