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 Robotics / 18633
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Subject: 
Re: Brainstorms
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.robotics
Date: 
Fri, 9 Aug 2002 20:02:04 GMT
Original-From: 
Steve Baker <sjbaker1@airmail^NoSpam^.net>
Reply-To: 
SJBAKER1@AIRMAIL.NETspamcake
Viewed: 
875 times
  
Richard Jenkins wrote:

The modular idea sounds cool, real cool.  At a minimum, it would be most
excellent if the batteries were in their own module and could be connected
to the 'brain' by a wire.  This would greatly aid in compact design and
assist in putting the weight of the robot in the bottom of the design where
it's needed for stability and the console at the top for accessability.

Also, for the Robot Sumo fanatics, they could have multiple battery packs
and many, many motors.  If the batteries aren't modular - then they impose
a limit on the amount of stuff you can have - so the power supply has to
scale along with everything else.

Having a separate battery box also helps out the railroad guys - who'd presumably
prefer not to have a battery at all.

Certainly, the RCX has a degree of modularity in the sense that its motors
and sensors are not integrated into the unit like in the micro-scout or the
Spybotics line.  I find that to be a REAL plus.

Yes - it's essential for creativity.  When the motors are integrated into the
computer, you are horribly limited in what you can build.  Even simple things
like cranes and robot arms are going to be almost impossible to build with
Spybotics.

Another thing that would be helpful is a way to get RCX to RCX communication
over a wire.

Well, having split the RCX down into entirely separated components, the
question is "Do we allow multiple CPU bricks on the same Bus?" - and I
think the answer can be "Yes" - but how we make the software work under
those circumstances - I don't know.

It kinda sux trying to align two (or more) bulky RCX bricks in
a compact design while still maintaining the IR interface.  With a wire
connection, the RCXs positions and orientations in the robot wouldn't be a
concern.

I'd hope that these new systems could be very much smaller than the RCX.

Other nifty features like voice modules or the power to use the Vision
Command without the dang tether to my PC would be nice, but its the things
above that I have to deal with almost every time I build.

Yes.  I think the focus would need to be on getting a modular RCX replacement
first.  If we pick a suitably common bus standard then these other kinds of
devices can be thought about later.

----------------------------- Steve Baker -------------------------------
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URLs : http://www.sjbaker.org
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Message has 4 Replies:
  Re: Brainstorms
 
(...) <snip> (...) buy in the store, much as it is now. Then, like servos or such, you can buy add-on's which would snap to the side of the RCX. These add on kits could be: motors plus snap-on expansion port to the RCX Sensors (any type) with, (...) (22 years ago, 9-Aug-02, to lugnet.robotics)
  RE: Brainstorms
 
(...) ......... SNIP (...) Why have just one BUS, different BUS's are optiomised for different purposes and it can be easy to support different types (Possibly by different midules). ie 1Wire, I2C, Ethernet Bruce Powell (...) (22 years ago, 9-Aug-02, to lugnet.robotics)
  RE: Brainstorms - multiple I/O buses
 
(...) Exactly our approach. JStik on a JCX system will have ethernet, high speed I/O bus (bytewide data, addresses and strobes). SPI and I2C are supported, also Dallas 1Wire with a JSimm board plug in. Oh, IrDA and RS485 will be options too. When? (...) (22 years ago, 9-Aug-02, to lugnet.robotics)
  RE: Brainstorms (battery options)
 
(...) I like the 9.6V NiMH R/C model battery packs, that's what we use in my university class. It's easy to parallel them or have separate packs for brain, motor and servos. Should we stick with that and add an on-board charger? Or keep the charger (...) (22 years ago, 9-Aug-02, to lugnet.robotics)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Brainstorms
 
Cheers John! Not really a high-end user, I'm fairly satisfied with the RCX brick with a few exceptions: First, it isn't really that robust. I've got 2 RCX bricks, and both get amnesia. Bending out the battery clips reduced the problem in one, but (...) (22 years ago, 9-Aug-02, to lugnet.robotics)

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