Subject:
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Re: Future Mindstorm Releases?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Wed, 1 Sep 2004 15:19:47 GMT
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Viewed:
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2593 times
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In lugnet.robotics, Mr S <szinn_the1@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Sorry, this is a long post and I don't mean to pick on
> the MarkIII, its a good platform, just happens to be
> my example in this post of a fixed format platform.
Quite understandable (and understood).
> I agree. I wish brickshelf would authorize my photos.
> My robot is currently 10in wide, 18in high, and 28
> inches long. Not a stick of it was built by anyone but
> me with LEGO pieces.
I wish they would, too -- I'd love to see it!
> Its not just quick prototyping, but the fact that you
> can prototype without the need for bandsaws,
> sheetmetal breaks, or handtools that makes LEGO very
> impressive.
Agreed. For structural work -- especially, the sort of tinkery
rapid-prototyping structural work we all love -- LEGO can't be beaten.
However...
> I do not believe that there is another building set
> capable of building autonomous robots that is as
> extensible or useful per dollar per pound anywhere.
It's the extensibility part that's sticking in my craw. Yes, structurally, LEGO
is very extensible. But that makes a mechanized gadget, not a robot -- a robot
requires sensors and effectors. And the RCX limits you to three of each.
That's not very extensible.
Now, if you took something like the OOPic (or similar) controller, and the cheap
and plentiful sensors and effectors that the MarkIII folks have, and used them
to control a LEGO-built robot, it seems to me that you would have the best of
both worlds.
As it is, I'm reluctant to sink $100 or more into a Mindstorms set when I could
spend the same money on a PIC-based platform, and not hit any I/O limits for a
very long time (if ever).
So why am I posting this? Two reasons: one, I have some hope that LEGO is
listening and will consider beefing up the next-generation RCX; and two, I'd
like to hear about other LEGO robotics projects using PIC controllers. Though I
suppose that should be a different thread!
Best,
- Joe
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Future Mindstorm Releases?
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| (...) [snip] (...) Joe: I, too, love Lego for the mechanical aspects of robot building. However, when it comes to the sensors and effectors, I find the RCX to be too limiting. It was a good first try, but after 5 years on the market.... (Let me (...) (20 years ago, 1-Sep-04, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Future Mindstorm Releases?
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| --- Joe Strout <joe@strout.net> wrote: {{ SNIP }} (...) I have to say that if you are concerned with the MPU and I/O, there is the option of using two RCX bricks, as I do. I am running three outputs just to make my robot move along the floor! The (...) (20 years ago, 1-Sep-04, to lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Future Mindstorm Releases?
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| Sorry, this is a long post and I don't mean to pick on the MarkIII, its a good platform, just happens to be my example in this post of a fixed format platform. My apologies to the makers of the MarkIII. --- gypsy_fly <e_pilobello@yahoo.com> wrote: < (...) (20 years ago, 1-Sep-04, to lugnet.robotics)
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