If there’s one thing that’s more fun than a comic, it’s a randomly generated comic. Well, perhaps that’s not true, but Reddit user [cadinb] wrote some software to generate a random comic strip and then built a robot case for it. Push a button on the robot and you’re presented with a randomly generated comic strip from the robot’s mouth.
The software that [cadinb] wrote is in Processing, an open source programming language and “sketchbook” for learning to code if you’re coming from a visual arts background. The Processing code determines how the images are cropped and placed and what kind of background they get. Each image is hand drawn by [cadinb] and has information associated with it so the code knows what the main focus of the image is. Once the panels are created, the final image is passed on to a thermal printer for printing. Everything is controlled from a Python script running on a Raspberry Pi and the code, strip artwork, and case is all available online to check out.
Now that the comic can print, a case is needed for the printer and controls. [cadinb] designed a case in Illustrator after creating a prototype out of foam core. The design was laser cut and then coloured – the main body with fabric dye and the arms stained with coffee!
Now [cadinb] has a robot that can sit on his table at conventions and a fan can press a button and have a randomly generated comic strip printed out before their eyes! We have a neat article about printing a comic on a strand of hair, and one about bringing the Banana Jr. 6000 to life!
[wpvideo DnbjUyWQ]
Via Reddit.
I’m not sure in what sense this is a ‘robot’. Seems like a kiosk-style printer.
It has a face. It must be a robot.
brb converting my dishwasher to a robot by adding googly eyes
Googly eyes on everything!
At least it doesn’t have a ring on one of it’s fingers.
I agree with “Snide” .
But. You can fix that with one simple thing to make it a robot.
Add a vibrating motor inside.
Simple. See
I think I would enjoy this if it just followed some RSS feeds and spat out hardcopies of my favorite webcomics whenever they published a new strip (perhaps with quiet hours during the night).
It would have to cut the paper itself automatically though, I’m not going to tear it off like some animal
I love the discoloration of the laser cut wood. *eyeroll*
Is it a sin to sand edges or something these days? It is a matter of personal preference I guess.