Subject:
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Re: Has anybody successfully added an RCX to 7471 Mars Rover?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.org.ca.rtltoronto
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Date:
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Thu, 22 Jan 2004 22:05:37 GMT
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Viewed:
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550 times
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> > My issue is how to motorize the wheels without making it look
> > stupid, ie having giant motor pods on the ends of the "suspension".
> > You can't do it with micromotors (not enough torque)...
>
> Have you actually tried it with six of them? Perhaps geared down? I know,
> that's criminally slow, but the real things only move (at top speed!) 2
> cm/sec... I've only got 2-3 gear motors, but I suspect it might work for a
> lighter version. I know this is getting away from the simple "motorize the
> LEGO-supplied model" ideal, however.
I've been thinking that maybe it could work (not optimally, but it'd move) by
redesigning the two center non-swivelling wheels with a motor on each, slaved
from the same RCX control. Properly geared down, it may have enough oomph to
move the full mass of the rover+RCX slowly, probably about the same speed as the
real-life version. That's a lightly ugly solution. Other motors could then use
input to steer, point the PanCam Mast and comm dish, etc. At that point it'd
also be possible to put sensors on and write a "follow the line" program too.
But that'd undoubtedly take more time than I've got before mid-February.
> > PS-this model is more and more in my mind a disappointment.
>
> I loved it (but I'm a space-nut), but the lack of the unsprung suspension was
> a serious dissappointment to me. On the other hand, I loved the six-wheel (4
> wheel?) steering and it was my first encounter with a vitually studless design.
> Impressive amount of mechanism cramed into very little structure.
I'm very schitzophrenic about this set. It LOOKS wonderful, and intricate, and
geeky as all get-out... which I love. As far as being usable, though, it leaves
something to be desired. I find it to be too fragile for my 9-year-old son to
really handle, and that's sad for a LEGO set.
There's an in-depth review and closeup pictures on my LEGO space site, with more
detail on building it: http://www.bricksploration.com/marsrover.php
If I am able to modify it, I'll put pictures online.
- Kelly
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