This is cool. Who said Legos are just for our kids! Legos are being used to try and build a sub $1,000 UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle):

• Lego Autopilot

These postings are from the Long Tail blog. If you haven’t had the opportunity, you need to learn more about the "long tail" concept as it relates to the demand curve.  The blog focuses upon how computing power is changing our global economy.

Here is a super podcast interview of the author of the business book, The Long Tail:

• The Long Tail Interview with Chris Anderson (editor of Wired Magazine)

My thanks to Paramesh Ramanathan from Bangalore, who keyed me into the Lego Autopilot posting.
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Oh well … I liked the sound of that title, and it kind of fits!  My thanks to Paramesh in Bangalore.  He keyed me into this work from MIT:

• Programmable Water

If you’re not interested in the project, at least take a look at the first and last photos!

None of these sites have enough "meat" to be added to my engineering eLearning search engines, but if what you’re looking for is a quick technology overview … particularly before purchasing a product or service, these video sites are for you!

• c|Net Video
• Pogue’s Pages (NY Times Columnist)
  • Current Videos
  • Archived Videos

Finally some family fun from the Northstar Nerd’s household. My son, Erik, uploaded this video he made to YouTube … Cyrus the Cat vs. the Lego Synchro Drive Robot. I am the camera man!
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You will probably need to install a new video drive to watch this Sumo Lego Robotics Championship, but it will result in a fantastic experience! My 16 year old son and I just watched Big Wheel Spikey lose in the finals. The competitors are a bunch of engineers … not kids!  Actually, let me rephrase that last comment … the competitors are a bunch of over aged kids!

• DivX Lego Sumo Robotic Championship
• No Screwdriver Need Robotics Lego Channel

Finally, Stage6 (web site hosting the videos) is a new video service, which appears to be taking online video to a new level. The viewing experience in terms of quality and sourcing was most impressive.
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My son just showed me this … the perfect score from the Flying Geeks. If you understand Lego League, pay close attention. This robot even picks up an attachment without the kids touching the robot in base. Way cool!

• Flying Geeks NanoQuest Perfect Score (QuickTime Movie)
  • Flying Geeks Team web site
  • Don’t know what I’m talking about?  …
    • watch this brief video from First Lego League