Everyone loves to etch their name, etc. in drying sidewalk cement - must be that feeling of permanence or something. I propose a roving band of hackers follows around construction crews looking for fresh sidewalk cement. When the crews go home for the night, the hackers set up a Cement-A-Sketch system, which consists of a web cam and a remotely-controllable robotic arm, with a variety of cement etching implements attached to the end (pointer, brush, etc.). An email goes out to the "Cement-A-Sketch" mailing list, and then anyone can log in and control the arm for a while - at least until the cement dries or the cops show.
-- ootleman, Mar 06 2003

The Adventure of the Dancing Men http://www.bakerstr...b.de/canon/danc.htm
[waugsqueke, Oct 04 2004]

Real Robots on the Web: http://ranier.hq.na...age/realrobots.html
Links from the NASA Space Telerobotics Program. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004]

WIBNI? Can you remotely control a robot arm using a web interface?
-- snarfyguy, Mar 06 2003


Yes, you can control robots via the Internet. The problem is that this will destroy the cement. Consequently, if I were a paver, I'd subscribe to your list then come take the equipment if it were at one of my projects.
-- phoenix, Mar 06 2003


Oh you're no fun, phoe. (But you're right, that's the obvious thing to do.)
-- waugsqueke, Mar 06 2003


When I was a kid, we just ran around and found construction sites and did the etching using analog methods (sticks and fingers).
Now you're suggesting we engage in this pathetic substitute, sitting in front of computer screens trying to emulate real fun by causing words and letters to appear in remote locations.
Oh, wait... never mind. Good idea.
-- roby, Mar 06 2003


Yes... the dancing men!
-- waugsqueke, Mar 06 2003


(Oops, sorry. Deleted previous anno from a few slots up...now repeated as best I remember it)

I have about 100 linear feet of sidewalk to pour in my back yard. I might be willing to accomomdate this as an art project. Depending of course on how much the subscribers are willing to pay.
-- half, Mar 06 2003


How about just creating a web-based program that makes it look like you're controlling robots to paint in cement. You could still charge as much, since the user has no way of knowing it isn't real anyway.
-- Worldgineer, Mar 06 2003


What [Worldgineer] said. Or set up something special as a collaborative art project.
-- phoenix, Mar 06 2003


Rods Tiger: What is your halfbakery nic?
-- roby, Mar 06 2003


I vote with Worldgineer. He could call it the halfcementery. (not to be confused with the halfcemetery, where you go when you're halfdead).
-- roby, Mar 06 2003


Thanks RT. Now I'm afraid to ask you what jungle animal you favor.
-- roby, Mar 06 2003


How do you like them prepared?
-- waugsqueke, Mar 06 2003


(roby activating internet remote-controlled pie thrower) SPLOOJ! (laughs like monkey and logs off)
-- roby, Mar 06 2003


Hey, an actual application for Logo programming...
-- RayfordSteele, Mar 07 2003


I imagine the 'business end' of this being very similar to conventionally used CNC plasma-cutting and/or waterjet equipment. 'Artists' could digitally scan their artwork to contribute, (which would be converted at the website into .DXF or other CAD format, and posted into machine-readable ISO code) while additional layout software would be able to scale and arrange the artwork for 'best fit'. All programming is complete and 'in queue' upon arrival at the site, minimizing the time needed to be there, and the chances of being caught, respectively.

From a safety standpoint, I would much prefer this method over handing direct freehand control of a large robotic device to some stranger on the internet.
-- X2Entendre, Mar 07 2003



random, halfbakery