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Subject: 
Re: RCX 2.0 -- ideas.
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.robotics
Date: 
Sun, 3 Jan 1999 16:08:21 GMT
Original-From: 
alex wetmore <ALEX@PHRED.ORGantispam>
Viewed: 
1292 times
  
On Thu, 31 Dec 1998, Jakob Nebeker wrote:
1.  More connections.  At least 4 outputs and 4 inputs.  The way it is
right now, a robot that drives around can't really do much else, given
that there is only one output to spare for a light or a motor.  Another
inut would also be nice, but not as badly needed as the output.

agreed.  right now you can work around it with two RCXs which talk to
each other, or you can do it mechanically using a ratchets which make
each direction from a motor drive two different outputs (of course this
limits each output to one direction only).

2.  Smaller size.  The RCX 1.0 is HUGE!.  A small robot with RCX 1.0 is
just impossible, the thing is so dang big.  I would like to see the next
version half as thick and with a top 2/3 the size.  This would allow for
some really neat, small robots.

most of the space is taken up for batteries.  i don't think that they
could make it much smaller while using standard commodity batteries
(unless they went to AAA size, which have much lower capacity and cost
more then AA batteries).  i'd rather have them stick with inexpensive
and easy to find AA batteries.

3.  Lighter.  Right now the main thing weighing it down i think are the
batteries.  Why doesn't LEGO get a custom lithium ion type battery, the
laptop kind, for RCX 2.0.  That could make it REAL small.  And it would
last longer between charges.

I'm sure that they didn't go with a Lithium ion battery for cost
reasons.  Have you seen what laptop companies charge for those batteries?
Usually its well over $100, half of the RCX cost alone.  Even small
Lithium ion batteries such as the one used in my Minidisc player (Sony
MZ-R50, the battery is about the size of a AA) are fairly expensive,
and probably wouldn't have the capacity required for the RCX.

alex

--
Did you check the web site first?: http://www.crynwr.com/lego-robotics



Message is in Reply To:
  RCX 2.0 -- ideas.
 
Here are some things I would like to see changed for RCX 2. (if there is even one) 1. More connections. At least 4 outputs and 4 inputs. The way it is right now, a robot that drives around can't really do much else, given that there is only one (...) (25 years ago, 31-Dec-98, to lugnet.robotics)

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