Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #05783
To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Evan Dudzik evandude@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 16:18:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Edge detectors
um, you could just use a regular touch sensor like on photopoppers, but
have it bent downward, so that when the thing is placed on a table the
table will bend the sensors up so they are ON but when the thing goes
off an edge the spring will push the thing back to its normal, centered
position, and it will be OFF.
this will save a little bot from having to drag around two extra
weights, and will not risk having the (small) bot get dragged off the
table when the weight goes off...
PS: no, this is not a new concept...
5784 Wed, 18 Aug 1999 19:59:40 -0400 [alt-beam] Re: Overcoming obstacles - an idea beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Bob Shannon
Sathe Dilip wrote:
> I was thinking on the following lines even before the contest
> (Innovative motion) was announced. Wilf's comments in an article last
> week prompted me to write about it. I hope someone finds it interesting
> enough to build a bot based on it.
>
> I will explain the general idea and leave the details to the builder. I
> do not know if someone has tried this before.
>
> The idea is to build a bot which combines some features of the
> photovore, (the miniball to some extent) and the walkers. I haven't
> built any yet but based on my understanding of how they work, photovores
> seem to have a problem negotiating stepped surfaces. Walkers can get
> around these to some extent.
>
> My idea is to use two motors (one on each side) and spokes in place of
> wheels. 4 wires/rods at 90 degrees each should do. Due to the torque
> needed to move the spokes/legs, we will need geared motors. The
> similarity to miniball comes from the way the motors/circuitry/power
> source is suspended from the legs.
Someone built 'Sissorbot' (I think) that is very much like this.
Where's that genome tool to look this up and find the inventor??
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