Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #00355
To: JVernonM@aol.com, beam@corp.sgi.com
From: Dave Hrynkiw dave@solarbotics.com
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 13:27:47 -0700
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: in answer
At 05:04 AM 2/12/99 , JVernonM@aol.com wrote:
>Again, I agree, custom parts make for expense. This also highlights another
>potential problem with the future development of BEAM as employed to create
>that real world robot, namely, the heavy dependence of beam on extremely
>efficiant motors, and the serious lack of any kind of supply. I like many
>others will probably use servos, as they are readily available.
Yes, but the servos aren't there for the robotics industry. They are there
for the model airplane industry. Hobby roboticists are just lucky that
there is another hobbiest base large enough to justify cheap (& otherwise)
custom parts.
>And if the back shed
>hobbiest can't get them to develope the prototypes that eventually lead to the
>breakthroughs that lead to that real world robot, then how will one based on
>BEAM ever make it to the retail stage?
Ever look at the old "Model Airplane News" magazines? Vacuum tube
receivers; rubber-band actuators; single channel control; silk & dope
covering. Look at the amount of time it took them to get to relatively
robust and inexpensive equipment (about 30 years). BEAM tech is (at the
extreme) barely 10 years old. Check back in another decade or so and see
where the commercial tech is at.
>But what I'm saying, and this is ALL I'm saying, is that real world robots
>won't be bought by people who build them their selves. In order for real
>robots to ever become reality they must be built by corporations who will
>market them and sell them to people, who for the most part, can't program a
>VCR.
This is applicable to *ALL* styles of robotics. We'll letcha know when Mr.
Gates comes on by and renames us "MSSolarbotics". ;>
>What
>bothers me is that BEAM may be stagnating now because of the very nature of
>the tech. That is, extremely high efficiancy.
I disagree. The past 2 years have seen the onset of the 1381, the 3733
solarcell and the AL Gold cap, none of which are excessively expensive
(well, perhaps excepting the cap). All of these are responsible for
bringing Solarspeeder racing from the 10's of minutes down to the 10's of
seconds. I think patience will be rewarded in regards to more and more
active devices at cheaper costs.
>Dave, I hope you take what I've said in the spirit it was intended.
Ah, ya rotten heathen... 8>
Regards,
Dave
---------------------------------------------------------------
"Um, no - that's H,R,Y,N,K,I,W. No, not K,I,U,U, K,I,_W_. Yes,
that's right. Yes, I know it looks like "HOCKYRINK." Yup, only
2 vowels. Pronounciation? _SMITH_".
http://www.solarbotics.com
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