Alt-BEAM Archive
Message #13855
To: alt-beam@egroups.com
From: "john simmons" simmons47@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 19:08:53 CDT
Subject: next step
I've studied the beam web sites for a couple of years now and lots of
people are making beautiful robots, but what's next. I enjoyed making a
roller which clicks its way across my desk as I work on my next projects but
I want something more than just a bot that moves and changes direx when he
runs into something.
I can envision a bot covered with solar engines and xcores operating
parts of the creature. A panel slides back and a stalk rises up with a
sensor pod scanning the horizon for trouble (or light, magnetic fields,
heat, etc.)
I want a robot with so many capabilities I can't predict what it will do
when activated. I don't want a device that is built just to
survive in a maze, for example, (although my next two projects are exactly
that because they're fun to build) but something that may decide at some
point to climb out of the maze.
It's neat to create a purpose built bot like a rope climber etc.
because it brings out the engineering artist in us but what is the purpose
of a general purpose robot?
These are my questions:
1) What should be the goal or motivation of a general purpose
robot?
2) What should its capabilites be?
(sense heat,light, etc but what else?)
3) What actuators should it have?
(arms, probes, flame throwers, ...)
4) What should this next question be?
I know this is kind of a broad question but I would enjoy hearing all
thoughts on this so I or we could narrow things down. Brainstorming is the
most funnest part of the engineering process.(...or the most invigorating
part if you demand good English.)
I've read all the messages on this archive and I know you guys are filled
with good ideas.
How come we don't have our own t-shirt logo and bumper stickers and theme
song etc. "I'm a beamer and I'm ok
I solder all night and I sleep all day.
I save all screws, drill holes for wires,
and count the pins on chips,
I have three special pliers, for bending paperclips.
chorus
Oh, I'm a ... etc.
JohnS.
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