Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #02371
To: beam@corp.sgi.com
From: Clarence Harper n9841011@cc.wwu.edu
Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 18:43:12 -0700
Subject: [alt-beam] flyingbots (was photopopper)
Flying bots are quite difficult. this is an extreme understatement.
The easiest/most effecient design is the mylar blimp idea. However, it is
very difficult to get these things weighted right. not only that, but the
ballons themselves are constantly leaking small quantities of helium. So,
what was floating just right half an hour ago is new softly whirring in the
kitchen sink.
this is further complicated by the fact that blimp-photovores' propellers
cannot provide enough power to counteract even the slightest windcurrents
one would find in their own house.
I've only seen one really good flying photovore. But the creator's parrot
attacked it. Go figure.
-Clarence Harper
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