Robots.net reader Erin (aka RobotGrrl) writes, I'm currently in Grade 11, and for the summer I have been accepted into a Stanford EPGY Artificial Intelligence program. I extremely want to go, especially since I created a program for Mac OS 10.5 called 'Robbie the Robot' that can have a conversation with you, vocally. Imagine if it could be artificially intelligent, and one could apply different levels of vocabulary and it could algorithmically learn, similar to a child. This is where I need some help, as the tuition for this program is expensive. So, I created Styrobots. Styrobots are tiny and cute styrofoam cups that move around and jiggles its eyes. They use a vibrating DC motor and a 3V battery. The styrofoam cup is hand painted, too! They sell for $20, which allows me to make a profit to put towards this tuition. RobotGrrl needs to raise $3700 to pay for tuition and books, so go buy a Styrobot and help send her to Stanford. What is a Styrobot? It's a bristlebot with a handpainted styrofoam exoskeleton. See her YouTube video of a Styrobot doing its thing. Pretty cool. Even if you don't want to buy a Styrobot, consider sending her a PayPal donation from the link on her homepage.

Congratulations to Erin for not only applying and being accepted into the program, but also having the initiative to get hands-on experience with robotics. I have a soft-spot myself for people interested in the software-side of robotics, another one for pre-college students who create their own robots, and yet another one for high school girls interested in robotics. RobotGrrl has turned me into a pile of mush, being a combination of the all three. I simply love that she is selling her self-made robots to raise money for her trip to a summer education program on robotics.

IMHO, a very worthy cause to support. Thanks for posting and giving me and opportunity to assist her.

Many of us will live precariously through you on your journey to Stanford. Good luck!

Wow, I looked on Etsy and all the Styrobots are already sold out! Way to go RobotGrrl!

Standford is helping out RobotGrrl too - they've granted her a $1500 scholarship and pushed the deadline back to June 13th. That leaves her only about $1200 short of her goal.