Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #00629
To: beam@corp.sgi.com
From: Steven Bolt sbolt@xs4all.nl
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 11:08:54 +0100 (CET)
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: hmmm...i wonder which subject
On Thu, 18 Feb 1999, Bob Shannon wrote:
> Clearly using a CPU to control a small robot adds a lot of repeatability
> and versatility. Its much easier to experiment with different behavior
> sets.
When you want to study machine learning (Terry), or want more
elaborate sensors (my Spider), the need for uCs is obvious, though
they're not necessarily the final word.
Imho the point of BEAM is that at the entry level, uCs provide a
serious barrier. It takes much time to learn how to use them.
Mark T's point, if I may interpret, is that they provide a kind of
brain power that is somewhat out of balance with the number of
sensors and actuators needed to give a mobile bot an interesting
level of autonomy. You need processing of the analog/parallel kind.
> A friend recently modified a PIC based photovore program to generate
> some really interesting behaviors onceit finds a light pool.
>
> By looking at what he did to the code, I think I can duplicate this same
> behavior in a photopopper like circuit with another pair of transistors
> and such. But I doubt this modification would be obvious at the
> circuitry level. Sometimes very small alterations can give some very
> interesting behaviors, and this is fast and free to test on a micro
> based bot.
>
> Once its 'right', you can translate it into pure BEAM, and have it work
> right.
Most BEAMers don't have the knowledge and tools needed to emulate
such hardware configurations in uC software. And I'm not convinced
that the advantage is worth it in this case. But don't let me stop
you :)
Best,
Steve
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# sbolt@xs4all.nl # Steven Bolt # popular science monthly KIJK #
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