Popular Mechanics, Tuesday, May 5th, 3rd period

[momslilassassin]

Ben's workshop was meeting in the Danger Shop because he'd met mechanics at Fandom before and a little extra fire protection never hurt anthing, okay?

"Hey," he said with an easy smile. "I'm Ben Skywalker, and this is Popular Mechanics." He tilted his head at Barry. "And that's Barry, he's my TA and will man the fire extinguisher if any of your projects get a little too exciting."

He gestured to the tiny herd of Roombas at his feet. "When I was a student here, I wasn't much of a sleeper. I'd make droids--robots--AI--whatever your term is--instead. Thought my roommate would kill me for all of the little friends I ended up making the first six months. Tinkering helped cleared my mind, which some of you might be familiar with."

He handed a Roomba to each student. "Poke at this and see what you can turn it into before our time's over. There's a book of ideas if you need one. For now, talk among yourselves--I always got better ideas when I shot them off of other mechanics. I'll wander around and get your names. Tell me about the last project you've been working on, okay?"

Comments

Sign in 5/5

[momslilassassin]

Droids!

Re: Sign in 5/5

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

Ronan Lynch

Re: Sign in 5/5

[dwarvenswagger]

Thorin

Re: Sign in 5/5

[sciclone]

Cosima Niehaus

Listen to the lecture!

[momslilassassin]

Such as it is.

Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

Make it fly! Make it play basketball!

Don't make it shoot laserbeams unless you want some serious side-eye.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

This was more Adam's thing than Ronan's and Ronan found himself ten seconds from texting Parrish before he thought better of it. He'd do it himself.

He looked at the Roomba from all sides and wondered if he could make it answer his phone with some ridiculous snotty message.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

"What are you thinking about trying?" Ben asked.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[thegreywaren.livejournal.com]

"Making it answer my phone so I don't have to," he said even though he knew it was a lark.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[dwarvenswagger]

Well, this was... something. Thorin was indeed reading the book for a better idea of what he was to do with these little toys.

This was going to end with steampunk creations messing up Middle earth, Ben. Hope you're happy.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

Can't be weirder than deus ex eagle...

"Finding any ideas?" Ben asked.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[dwarvenswagger]

Hey. Hey. Questioning the eagles is a slippery slope. Next you're gonna be all 'why the fuck didn't Elrond just shove that bitch in the volcano right away?'

Story ruiner.

"Many. I have never seen things such as this before."

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[sciclone]

Cosima found a corner and sprawled out, tools and sheets of scrap paper arrayed in a way that made sense to her but probably wouldn't to anyone else on earth. She could find things, that was what mattered.

She examined the Roomba closely and closed her eyes. Maybe she could cover it with fur and make it more like a pet?

The idea appealed to her sense of whimsy, so she started poking at the jumble of components in search of a way to rig miniature speakers. It wouldn't be a proper Roomba-pet if it didn't meow.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

"You look like you have a plan," Ben said, crouching next to her.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[sciclone]

"I think I do, anyhow," Cosima said, turning to smile at the teacher. "The shape and the way they follow you around -- it reminded me of a pet, right? So I figured I'd make it more like a pet. Put fur on it and fit it with speakers so it purred."

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[nobloodymessiah.livejournal.com]

Eleanor grabbed a screwdriver and set to work. No lasers, but could she make it into some kind of security bot? One with alarms, perhaps, instead of weapons, that could patrol a sector and report back. Worth a try.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

"What are you thinking of trying?" Ben asked, smiling.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[nolizardhere]

Andros was genuinely considering making his Roomba fly. He was just debating what other functionality he wanted to add, before he got started on that.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[momslilassassin]

"Got an idea in mind?" Ben asked.

Re: Modify a Roomba!

[nolizardhere]

"I was thinking it would be useful if it could function in zero gravity," Andros explained. "So, thrusters, gyroscope...not sure what else yet."

Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Either of whom might be adding lasers to their own Roombas. Shhh. Don't judge. They're professionals.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[endsthegame]

It was almost the end of class when Ender entered - calmly, though the look on his face said he'd came very close to just bursting in.

"Ben?" he called. "A word?"

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[momslilassassin]

Ben's eyes went wide. "Kreetle?" he said, closing the distance quickly.

Re: Talk to Ben or Barry!

[notaweenie.livejournal.com]

Lasers. Alternate power source. Basic AI...

What? Maybe Barry could make it into a pit.

OOC

[momslilassassin]

I miss my Roomba. Used to freak the dog out.