Recent blog entries for psychlotron

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/robot

Main Entry: ro·bot
Pronunciation: 'rO-"bät, -b&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Czech, from robota compulsory labor; akin to Old High German arabeit trouble, Latin orbus orphaned -- more at ORPHAN
1 a : a machine that looks like a human being and performs various complex acts (as walking or talking) of a human being; also : a similar but fictional machine whose lack of capacity for human emotions is often emphasized b : an efficient insensitive person who functions automatically
2 : a device that automatically performs complicated often
repetitive tasks
3 : a mechanism guided by automatic controls

I'm going to Robobusiness next week. I'll get some pictures if I see anything cool. Anyone else going?

My site has a link to my final presentation for Spidar. This doesn't mean that I'm finished with the robot, it just means that I've accomplished what I set out to do for the class. Anyway, check it out. I'll have some walking videos up soon.

I have a new look for my site and a new look for my robot...more details there. There's also a new video. I've got some crude walking motions but not good enough, in my opinion, to post. Check it out.

I'm working on a piece of hardware that will interface with my software which will make servo sequencing much faster. Hopefully the time that I have spent making this controller will decrease the amount of time that I spend sequencing servo motions. I'll put some pics up soon.

Today is my presentation that marks a half-way point in my project.

I posted a screenshot of my current Spidar Sequencer. This software will allow you to sequence up to 16 servos with four positions each. I am currently giving this program a bit of a makeover though. The next version will look more like a Yamaha RM1X sequencer. I am modelling the software after this music sequencer for a few reasons. First of all, I am trying to carry over some of the cool things about musical editing to robotic movement sequencing because I have experience with that. Second, the RM1X and other similar sequencers are pretty intuitive pieces of equipment to use. Therefore, it should be pretty easy to open the Spidar Sequencer and start using it. Hopefully, it will be something that can be used for more than just my robot.

I posted a video on my site that shows my robot standing up. I just finished the body, which is made of foamed pvc, and attached the legs. I added some springs to simulate muscles and help balance the load. Next I'm going to put a second level on the body and try over-volting the servos a bit for some extra strength. Oh yeah, the DS in the video does nothing...just got done with some MKDS that's all.

I assembled Spidar's legs today. I have a video posted of one of the legs in motion. It's a bit jerky, but that's due to my unsteady hand on the controls(a set of VB sliders). Next, I will be cutting a body out of plexiglass and attaching the legs. Then the real fun will begin! My website for Spidar has a bit of a new look, too.

I've finished most of the code for my Servo Sequencer, which is based on a music sequencer and sampler. The program allows you to create four-position sequences for up to sixteen channels(servos). These groups of sequences can be assigned to six different buttons, like a sampler. This allows you to make walk, run, sequences. I also received my leg brackets in the mail today, which I will be assembling soon.