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  • Members: 3197
  • Category: Robotics
  • Founded: Jun 8, 2000
  • Language: English
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#42212 From: "Jim" <SRS@...>
Date: Fri Apr 2, 2010 3:50 am
Subject: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
srs_jimwrigh...
Send Email Send Email
 
First let me say that my presidency of the Seattle R-word Association has been
very fun.  The SRA, which includes, The Seattle OLEF Society, The R-word-thon
committee, Western Allied R-Word, FIRST WA and VEX WA, has grown to an amazing
organization.  I really do feel that all the members have made these
organization truly amazing.

In the last year and a half we have pulled off some very large events on very
little money and each and everyone of you deserve my thanks.  Unfortunately, it
is due to these very events that other Puget Sound Societies have take notice of
us.  One in particular has decided to have it's lawyers read through out Bylaws
and the have found a small loop hole, that, in a letter I received today, has
removed me as president of the board.  Dissolved the board, and replaced it with
their own associations board.

As of noon today the SRA and affiliated members are now under the control of the
Bellevue Botanical Association.  In the letter they praise us for being an
outstanding organization and wish not to make many changes.  However the changes
that they are going to make are:

1.The use of the R-word is banned.  The R-word is replaced with either the
R-word, or Our Little Electronic Friends (OLEF).

2.All power sources must be of renewable food acids, copper and zinc rods.  To
this end each of WAR's 30 pound R-words will have to be powered by 600 pounds of
lemons per match.

3.The use of plastic is banned and wood shall be used in it's place.  They are
switching FIRST Lego League to FIRST Lincoln Log League (FLLL)

4.Most of R-word-thon's contests will need to be re-worked.
     a.Magellan has been replaced with a 5cm by 5cm course in which snails will
have to find rocks.
     b.The sumo ring is now 4 inches round for the slug wrestling.  This will
allow us to have 25 matches running at the same time, which will we need since
each match now lasts an hour.
     c.Humming Bird Feeder Frenzy, in which contestants will build the most
attractive humming bird feeders.  During the contest we will release 20,000
humming birds into the Center House and the feeder with the lease amount of
water in it at the end of the day is the winner.

5.The SRS presentations will take on a bit of a change.  From now on speakers
can only be chosen from Biology and Horticultural departments of colleges.

Again let me say it was my pleasure being your president and I hope our new set
of leaders take us into a bright new future (of mostly outdoor activities).

-Jim Wright

#42213 From: Erik Knise <elknise@...>
Date: Fri Apr 2, 2010 4:04 am
Subject: Re: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
elknise@...
Send Email Send Email
 
Thanks Jim, great info!

Hope to see you at the next meeting,

--
Erik L. Knise
Pacific Shipping Company
Seattle, WA

#42214 From: Mike Payson <mike@...>
Date: Fri Apr 2, 2010 4:07 am
Subject: Re: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
mpayson
Send Email Send Email
 
So, based on this new mission, I think the oft-maligned 15 minute battery discussion is suddenly appropriate. Can I suggest that the first speaker for our newly rebranded organization be an expert on biorenewable power sources?

On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 9:04 PM, Erik Knise <elknise@...> wrote:


Thanks Jim, great info!

Hope to see you at the next meeting,

--
Erik L. Knise
Pacific Shipping Company
Seattle, WA




#42215 From: Steve Kozachik <steve_kozachik@...>
Date: Fri Apr 2, 2010 4:14 am
Subject: Re: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
steve_kozachik
Send Email Send Email
 
Oh, nicely done!  You had me going for way, way too long!!
 
Steve K.


From: Jim <SRS@...>
To: SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, April 1, 2010 8:50:58 PM
Subject: [SeattleRobotics] Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board

 

First let me say that my presidency of the Seattle R-word Association has been very fun. The SRA, which includes, The Seattle OLEF Society, The R-word-thon committee, Western Allied R-Word, FIRST WA and VEX WA, has grown to an amazing organization. I really do feel that all the members have made these organization truly amazing.

In the last year and a half we have pulled off some very large events on very little money and each and everyone of you deserve my thanks. Unfortunately, it is due to these very events that other Puget Sound Societies have take notice of us. One in particular has decided to have it's lawyers read through out Bylaws and the have found a small loop hole, that, in a letter I received today, has removed me as president of the board. Dissolved the board, and replaced it with their own associations board.

As of noon today the SRA and affiliated members are now under the control of the Bellevue Botanical Association. In the letter they praise us for being an outstanding organization and wish not to make many changes. However the changes that they are going to make are:

1.The use of the R-word is banned. The R-word is replaced with either the R-word, or Our Little Electronic Friends (OLEF).

2.All power sources must be of renewable food acids, copper and zinc rods. To this end each of WAR's 30 pound R-words will have to be powered by 600 pounds of lemons per match.

3.The use of plastic is banned and wood shall be used in it's place. They are switching FIRST Lego League to FIRST Lincoln Log League (FLLL)

4.Most of R-word-thon' s contests will need to be re-worked.
a.Magellan has been replaced with a 5cm by 5cm course in which snails will have to find rocks.
b.The sumo ring is now 4 inches round for the slug wrestling. This will allow us to have 25 matches running at the same time, which will we need since each match now lasts an hour.
c.Humming Bird Feeder Frenzy, in which contestants will build the most attractive humming bird feeders. During the contest we will release 20,000 humming birds into the Center House and the feeder with the lease amount of water in it at the end of the day is the winner.

5.The SRS presentations will take on a bit of a change. From now on speakers can only be chosen from Biology and Horticultural departments of colleges.

Again let me say it was my pleasure being your president and I hope our new set of leaders take us into a bright new future (of mostly outdoor activities).

-Jim Wright



#42216 From: Kevin Rock <kevinrock@...>
Date: Fri Apr 2, 2010 4:14 am
Subject: Re: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
kevinrockusa
Send Email Send Email
 
20,000 hummingbirds should be able to power a few R-words for more than 15
minutes!
    Kevin.


-----Original Message-----
>From: Mike Payson <mike@...>
>Sent: Apr 2, 2010 12:07 AM
>To: SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [SeattleRobotics] Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA 
board
>
>So, based on this new mission, I think the oft-maligned 15 minute battery
>discussion is suddenly appropriate. Can I suggest that the first speaker for
>our newly rebranded organization be an expert on biorenewable power sources?
>
>On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 9:04 PM, Erik Knise <elknise@...> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Thanks Jim, great info!
>>
>> Hope to see you at the next meeting,
>>
>> --
>> Erik L. Knise
>> Pacific Shipping Company
>> Seattle, WA
>>
>>
>>

#42217 From: Rob Purdy <kb7wnz@...>
Date: Fri Apr 2, 2010 4:20 am
Subject: RE: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
gausswave
Send Email Send Email
 
"2.All power sources must be of renewable food acids, copper and zinc rods. To this end each of WAR's 30 pound R-words will have to be powered by 600 pounds of lemons per match."
 
 
  I think I could pull that off.....  Does this mean I have to get a food handlers permit and are we exempt from transporting home grown fruit?
 
TheWAr.... errrummm BOTanical lord..

#42218 From: Larry Geib <LJGeib@...>
Date: Fri Apr 2, 2010 6:07 am
Subject: Re: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
lorenzojose2000
Send Email Send Email
 
One question. Please clarify the new definition of legs for the
legged R-word contest.

I'm trying to teach my pet snail "slimey" to conform to the rules.
Unfortunately, he has only one foot and no legs, so I'm not sure what
to tell him.
He gets confused about the definition of rotary motion.

Larry


On Apr 1, 2010, at 8:50 PM, Jim wrote:

> First let me say that my presidency of the Seattle R-word
> Association has been very fun.  The SRA, which includes, The
> Seattle OLEF Society, The R-word-thon committee, Western Allied R-
> Word, FIRST WA and VEX WA, has grown to an amazing organization.  I
> really do feel that all the members have made these organization
> truly amazing.
>
> In the last year and a half we have pulled off some very large
> events on very little money and each and everyone of you deserve my
> thanks.  Unfortunately, it is due to these very events that other
> Puget Sound Societies have take notice of us.  One in particular
> has decided to have it's lawyers read through out Bylaws and the
> have found a small loop hole, that, in a letter I received today,
> has removed me as president of the board.  Dissolved the board, and
> replaced it with their own associations board.
>
> As of noon today the SRA and affiliated members are now under the
> control of the Bellevue Botanical Association.  In the letter they
> praise us for being an outstanding organization and wish not to
> make many changes.  However the changes that they are going to make
> are:
>
> 1.The use of the R-word is banned.  The R-word is replaced with
> either the R-word, or Our Little Electronic Friends (OLEF).
>
> 2.All power sources must be of renewable food acids, copper and
> zinc rods.  To this end each of WAR's 30 pound R-words will have to
> be powered by 600 pounds of lemons per match.
>
> 3.The use of plastic is banned and wood shall be used in it's
> place.  They are switching FIRST Lego League to FIRST Lincoln Log
> League (FLLL)
>
> 4.Most of R-word-thon's contests will need to be re-worked.
>     a.Magellan has been replaced with a 5cm by 5cm course in which
> snails will have to find rocks.
>     b.The sumo ring is now 4 inches round for the slug wrestling.
> This will allow us to have 25 matches running at the same time,
> which will we need since each match now lasts an hour.
>     c.Humming Bird Feeder Frenzy, in which contestants will build
> the most attractive humming bird feeders.  During the contest we
> will release 20,000 humming birds into the Center House and the
> feeder with the lease amount of water in it at the end of the day
> is the winner.
>
> 5.The SRS presentations will take on a bit of a change.  From now
> on speakers can only be chosen from Biology and Horticultural
> departments of colleges.
>
> Again let me say it was my pleasure being your president and I hope
> our new set of leaders take us into a bright new future (of mostly
> outdoor activities).
>
> -Jim Wright
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Visit the SRS Website at http://www.seattlerobotics.orgYahoo!
> Groups Links
>
>
>

#42219 From: John Palmisano <palmisano@...>
Date: Sun Apr 4, 2010 1:42 am
Subject: Re: Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA board
palmisano@...
Send Email Send Email
 
2010/4/2 Kevin Rock <kevinrock@...>
> 20,000 hummingbirds should be able to power a few R-words for more than 15
minutes!
> Kevin.

Unless the wings had 6 DOF ;)


> -----Original Message-----
> >From: Mike Payson <mike@...>
> >Sent: Apr 2, 2010 12:07 AM
> >To: SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: Re: [SeattleRobotics] Sad news from your ex-president of the SRA
board
> >
> >So, based on this new mission, I think the oft-maligned 15 minute battery
> >discussion is suddenly appropriate. Can I suggest that the first speaker for
> >our newly rebranded organization be an expert on biorenewable power sources?
> >
> >On Thu, Apr 1, 2010 at 9:04 PM, Erik Knise <elknise@...> wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >> Thanks Jim, great info!
> >>
> >> Hope to see you at the next meeting,
> >>
> >> --
> >> Erik L. Knise
> >> Pacific Shipping Company
> >> Seattle, WA
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>

#42220 From: Donna Smith <dsmith164@...>
Date: Sun Apr 4, 2010 4:29 pm
Subject: Robothon 2010
dsmith164
Send Email Send Email
 
Hello Robothon Organizers,
 
Stacy (at the March meeting) suggested that we email contest interests for this years event. I would personally like to see the usual round-up of contests. I understand that a new event will be present also, to be announced at the May meeting.
 
What is the status of Robothon for this year and the overall plan?
 
Thanks,
Donna


#42221 From: Rob Purdy <kb7wnz@...>
Date: Mon Apr 5, 2010 4:27 am
Subject: RE: Robothon 2010
gausswave
Send Email Send Email
 
  A plan would be a good thing.  I'm guessing at this point The main floor will be the new game on Saturday and Combat on Sunday.  Any thing else is undetermined.

  How many participants did we have in the games we had last year?
 
  I'm planning on going to robo games this year. I ahve SBB8 next weekend. I'll be gone from the 22-25th I'm not sure when we wanted to do a get togeather for planning details of the game?  Jim seems to have vanished?
 
Rob  
 
 

To: SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com
From: dsmith164@...
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 09:29:46 -0700
Subject: [SeattleRobotics] Robothon 2010

 
Hello Robothon Organizers,
 
Stacy (at the March meeting) suggested that we email contest interests for this years event. I would personally like to see the usual round-up of contests. I understand that a new event will be present also, to be announced at the May meeting.
 
What is the status of Robothon for this year and the overall plan?
 
Thanks,
Donna



#42222 From: Bob Cook <bob@...>
Date: Mon Apr 5, 2010 4:55 am
Subject: Re: Robothon 2010
bobcook_02
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi Rob,

The list of registered robots for all events from 2009 can be found here:

I don't have the data easily at hand but for most events most every robot was there to compete. From memory, one Robo-Magellan didn't show, the Micromouse was thin, one of the Walkers didn't show, and maybe a couple of Sumos didn't show. I didn't catch any of the line-related events so no idea there.

BTW the results, for people who might have missed the events, are posted here:

Bob Cook

On 2010-04-04, at 9:27 PM, Rob Purdy wrote:



  A plan would be a good thing.  I'm guessing at this point The main floor will be the new game on Saturday and Combat on Sunday.  Any thing else is undetermined.

  How many participants did we have in the games we had last year?
 
  I'm planning on going to robo games this year. I ahve SBB8 next weekend. I'll be gone from the 22-25th I'm not sure when we wanted to do a get togeather for planning details of the game?  Jim seems to have vanished?
 
Rob  
 

#42223 From: "Randy M. Dumse" <rmd@...>
Date: Mon Apr 5, 2010 7:59 am
Subject: UNI Mini-Sumo Ship-In's Invitational April 29th
rmdumse
Send Email Send Email
 
Mini-Sumo Ship-In's at UNI! on again for fifth year!

What better example of showing your robots have matured, than
you send them off to compete in a contest on their own, and then
watch the Live Webcast as they "duke it out" with other robots
from our students and this and other countries Ship-Ins. And if
you've seen the previous matches, you know we get some very
careful and dilligent assistants to prepare, place and operate
your robots per your written instructions.

We've got a new web site you can see the past 4 years recordings
on if you wish.

http://narobotics.org/

Here's a way to send your robot into combat, and have its
appearance documented for the foreseeable future! ("I'll make ya
famous!") You too can have your robot immortalized by entering
it in this competition.

So get ready and send in those challengers. Remember, there's a
cap on how many competitors will be accepted (12) so enter as
soon as you can. Details for shipping and entry form on the web
site:

http://narobotics.org/how-ship-your-sumo-robot-april-29-2010-uni
-mini-sumo-invitational

Come on and Ship-In those Mini-Sumos!

Randy

#42224 From: "Peter Balch" <peterbalch@...>
Date: Mon Apr 5, 2010 10:59 am
Subject: Re: Robothon 2010
peterbalch@...
Send Email Send Email
 
> BTW the results, for people who might have missed the events, are posted
> here:
> http://www.robothon.org/robothon/results.php

Are there photos or videos?

Peter

#42225 From: Bob Cook <bob@...>
Date: Mon Apr 5, 2010 1:45 pm
Subject: Re: Robothon 2010
bobcook_02
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi Peter,

Yes there are photos! Rich Harman made his photo collection available here:
http://modelstation.smugmug.com/Events/Robothon-2009

(this is also posted to the front page at the Robothon website)

Bob Cook

On 2010-04-05, at 3:59 AM, Peter Balch wrote:

>> BTW the results, for people who might have missed the events, are posted
>> here:
>> http://www.robothon.org/robothon/results.php
>
> Are there photos or videos?
>
> Peter

#42226 From: "Peter Balch" <peterbalch@...>
Date: Mon Apr 5, 2010 6:30 pm
Subject: Re: Robothon 2010
peterbalch@...
Send Email Send Email
 
> Yes there are photos! Rich Harman made his photo collection available
> here:
> http://modelstation.smugmug.com/Events/Robothon-2009

Thanks. It looks like it was a wondeful event.

Peter

#42227 From: Bob Cook <bob@...>
Date: Tue Apr 6, 2010 2:22 am
Subject: Re: Robothon 2010
bobcook_02
Send Email Send Email
 
On 2010-04-05, at 11:30 AM, Peter Balch wrote:

>> Yes there are photos! Rich Harman made his photo collection available
>> here:
>> http://modelstation.smugmug.com/Events/Robothon-2009
>
> Thanks. It looks like it was a wondeful event.
>

Glad you thought so, I think everyone who attended had fun. There are regular
flights from your side of the world to ours, perhaps you should come to the next
Robothon in October! I would love to see some of your projects up close and I'm
certain there are many others who would as well.

Bob Cook

#42228 From: Ramaprasanna Chellamuthu <ramaprasanna@...>
Date: Wed Apr 7, 2010 2:48 am
Subject: buddyHome - my hobby project at Microsoft
ramaprasanna
Send Email Send Email
 
#42229 From: Pankaj Kumar Barnwal <pankajkumarbarnwal@...>
Date: Wed Apr 7, 2010 10:11 am
Subject: (No subject)
pankajkumarb...
Send Email Send Email
 
dear sir
i am trying to make a wall climbing robot.
i want to do it with hybrid wheel legged robo
with electroadhesion can you please tell me
how can i do it.


thanks




Your Mail works best with the New Yahoo Optimized IE8. Get it NOW!.

#42230 From: Steve Kozachik <steve_kozachik@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 12:21 am
Subject: Toy Hacking
steve_kozachik
Send Email Send Email
 
I am working on a project to re-purpose 5 Thunder Tumblers into photovores for a kids' robot club project.  They are currently radio controlled with dual drive steering.  I want to identify the pins in the IC controlling the H-Bridge/motors, remove the IC chip and hookup a simple photoresistor circuit to follow the light. I would prefer not to have to fund and build 5 each H-Bridges if I can easily re-use existing.
 
Searching has found lots of examples of similar projects, lots and lots of H-Bridge circuits but nothing too helpful to a novice on figuring out which pins directly control the motor direction/speed.  What I am looking for is a tutorial of somesort.  Any suggestions?
 
I plan to be at the next Meeting on the 17th with the toys, and a suitably puzzled look on my face, staying for the robot building session after the meeting.
 
Here is a cute video of the un-hacked toy in the hands of a youngster having some serious fun:
 
 
 
Steve K.


#42231 From: David Murphy <dfm794@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 1:56 am
Subject: Re: Toy Hacking
dfm_irhy
Send Email Send Email
 
What I did for this, which is perhaps dumb, was simply to use an ohm meter to trace out the circuitry, reverse engineering a schematic. Once I had the schematic it was obvious which pins were controlling the h-bridge.

David

On Apr 7, 2010, at 5:21 PM, Steve Kozachik wrote:


I am working on a project to re-purpose 5 Thunder Tumblers into photovores for a kids' robot club project.  They are currently radio controlled with dual drive steering.  I want to identify the pins in the IC controlling the H-Bridge/motors, remove the IC chip and hookup a simple photoresistor circuit to follow the light. I would prefer not to have to fund and build 5 each H-Bridges if I can easily re-use existing.
 
Searching has found lots of examples of similar projects, lots and lots of H-Bridge circuits but nothing too helpful to a novice on figuring out which pins directly control the motor direction/speed.  What I am looking for is a tutorial of somesort.  Any suggestions?
 
I plan to be at the next Meeting on the 17th with the toys, and a suitably puzzled look on my face, staying for the robot building session after the meeting.
 
Here is a cute video of the un-hacked toy in the hands of a youngster having some serious fun:
 
 
 
Steve K.




#42232 From: Steve Kozachik <steve_kozachik@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 2:59 am
Subject: Re: Toy Hacking
steve_kozachik
Send Email Send Email
 
David
 
Definitely not dumb!  I am hoping for a "cheat" to do this.  I should have a working remote control soon, and can just see which signal goes where.  I will certainly trace copper if it comes to it.
 
Will post pix of the project as we progress. 
 
Thanks.
 
Steve K.


From: David Murphy <dfm794@...>
To: SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 6:56:29 PM
Subject: Re: [SeattleRobotics] Toy Hacking

 

What I did for this, which is perhaps dumb, was simply to use an ohm meter to trace out the circuitry, reverse engineering a schematic. Once I had the schematic it was obvious which pins were controlling the h-bridge.


David

On Apr 7, 2010, at 5:21 PM, Steve Kozachik wrote:


I am working on a project to re-purpose 5 Thunder Tumblers into photovores for a kids' robot club project.  They are currently radio controlled with dual drive steering.  I want to identify the pins in the IC controlling the H-Bridge/motors, remove the IC chip and hookup a simple photoresistor circuit to follow the light. I would prefer not to have to fund and build 5 each H-Bridges if I can easily re-use existing.
 
Searching has found lots of examples of similar projects, lots and lots of H-Bridge circuits but nothing too helpful to a novice on figuring out which pins directly control the motor direction/speed.  What I am looking for is a tutorial of somesort.  Any suggestions?
 
I plan to be at the next Meeting on the 17th with the toys, and a suitably puzzled look on my face, staying for the robot building session after the meeting.
 
Here is a cute video of the un-hacked toy in the hands of a youngster having some serious fun:
 
 
 
Steve K.





#42233 From: "Peter Balch" <peterbalch@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 10:17 am
Subject: electroadhesion
peterbalch@...
Send Email Send Email
 
http://www.sri.com/rd/electroadhesion.html

When first read about the SRI electroadhesion robot, I wondered (like most
people I suppose) what sort of voltage it was using. They were claiming 0.5
to 1.5 N/sq.cm which seemed huge.

So lets do some back-of-the-envelope calculations. I'm sure someone will
correct me if I get it wrong.

The force between the plates of a capacitor is

F = permittivity  * A * V^2 / (2 * d^2)

A is area; V is voltage; d is separation of the plates.

The permittivity of air is around 8.85e-12

Assume that the robot's adhesion plate is a square of side L; then
rearranging:

V = d/L *sqrt(2*F/permittivity)

If we need a force of 1kg weight (10N) then

V = d/L * sqrt(20/permittivity)
V = d/L * 1,500,000

If L 20cm and d = 0.1mm then

V = 0.0001/0.2 *1,500,000
V=750

750 Volts is achievable relatively easily but getting the separation of the
adhesion plate from the wall to be 0.1mm is quite hard.

Presumably, the adhesion plate is a conductive sheet covered in an
insulator. How thick must the insulator be? It can't be too thin or its
insulation will break down. It can't be thick or d gets too big (assume a
relative permittivity of the insulator of 3 to 4).

SRI claim 1N/sq.cm, so V = 4.7kV if d=0.1mm. Either they're using a big
voltage or they're managing a much smaller separation.

Peter

#42234 From: "paul_boxmeyer" <paul@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 10:58 am
Subject: Re: Toy Hacking
paul_boxmeyer
Send Email Send Email
 
Here is an Instructable for hacking the H-Bridge of the Thunder Tumbler:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Robot-Platform-including-h-bridges-from-10-RC-Ca\
/


--- In SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com, Steve Kozachik <steve_kozachik@...>
wrote:
>
> I am working on a project to re-purpose 5 Thunder Tumblers into photovores for
a kids' robot club project.  They are currently radio controlled with dual drive
steering.  I want to identify the pins in the IC controlling the
H-Bridge/motors, remove the IC chip and hookup a simple photoresistor circuit to
follow the light. I would prefer not to have to fund and build 5 each H-Bridges
if I can easily re-use existing.
>
> Searching has found lots of examples of similar projects, lots and lots of
H-Bridge circuits but nothing too helpful to a novice on figuring out which pins
directly control the motor direction/speed.  What I am looking for is a tutorial
of somesort.  Any suggestions?
>
> I plan to be at the next Meeting on the 17th with the toys, and a suitably
puzzled look on my face, staying for the robot building session after the
meeting.
>
> Here is a cute video of the un-hacked toy in the hands of a youngster having
some serious fun:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNDUTJ481Pw
>
>
> Steve K.
>

#42235 From: Dennis Clark <dlc@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 2:49 pm
Subject: Re: Toy Hacking
dennis_lm_clark
Send Email Send Email
 
That is the way that I have always done it.

DLC
--
Dennis Clark
While traveling

On Apr 7, 2010, at 7:56 PM, David Murphy <dfm794@...> wrote:

What I did for this, which is perhaps dumb, was simply to use an ohm meter to trace out the circuitry, reverse engineering a schematic. Once I had the schematic it was obvious which pins were controlling the h-bridge.

David

On Apr 7, 2010, at 5:21 PM, Steve Kozachik wrote:


I am working on a project to re-purpose 5 Thunder Tumblers into photovores for a kids' robot club project.  They are currently radio controlled with dual drive steering.  I want to identify the pins in the IC controlling the H-Bridge/motors, remove the IC chip and hookup a simple photoresistor circuit to follow the light. I would prefer not to have to fund and build 5 each H-Bridges if I can easily re-use existing.
 
Searching has found lots of examples of similar projects, lots and lots of H-Bridge circuits but nothing too helpful to a novice on figuring out which pins directly control the motor direction/speed.  What I am looking for is a tutorial of somesort.  Any suggestions?
 
I plan to be at the next Meeting on the 17th with the toys, and a suitably puzzled look on my face, staying for the robot building session after the meeting.
 
Here is a cute video of the un-hacked toy in the hands of a youngster having some serious fun:
 
http://www.youtube .com/watch?v=ZNDUTJ481Pw
 
 
Steve K.




#42236 From: Steve Kozachik <steve_kozachik@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 4:13 pm
Subject: Re: Re: Toy Hacking
steve_kozachik
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Paul
 
Perfecto!  Muchas Gracias!
 
The Instructable fits the bill perfectly.  I found 4 of the Tumblers at a local thrift store on the same trip, for $2.99 each.  Without, of course, the remote controllers.  Where do those things go?  Maybe the same place as the single sock that disappears.
 
The first one had an interesting hybrid, a small daughterboard with a SMD chip, the board then being soldered to the main board.  The rest have essentially identical layouts.
 
I will follow your suggestion to install headers in place of a socket so I can jumper back and forth.  I think I will spring for a set of Tini2131s from Newmicros.  That way the girls can program them, install them in a socket on each of the 5 Tumblers, and see where they made the mistakes.  The chips would be easily moved into our next project vehicles, a "fleet" of Tyco Rebounds that we hope to get working outside this summer.
 
Again, many thanks for finding this Instructable.  I searched without success.
 
Steve K. 


From: paul_boxmeyer <paul@...>
To: SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 3:58:55 AM
Subject: [SeattleRobotics] Re: Toy Hacking

 

Here is an Instructable for hacking the H-Bridge of the Thunder Tumbler:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Robot-Platform-including-h-bridges-from-10-RC-Ca/

--- In SeattleRobotics@ yahoogroups. com, Steve Kozachik <steve_kozachik@ ...> wrote:
>
> I am working on a project to re-purpose 5 Thunder Tumblers into photovores for a kids' robot club project.  They are currently radio controlled with dual drive steering.  I want to identify the pins in the IC controlling the H-Bridge/motors,  remove the IC chip and hookup a simple photoresistor circuit to follow the light. I would prefer not to have to fund and build 5 each H-Bridges if I can easily re-use existing.
>
> Searching has found lots of examples of similar projects, lots and lots of H-Bridge circuits but nothing too helpful to a novice on figuring out which pins directly control the motor direction/speed.  What I am looking for is a tutorial of somesort.  Any suggestions?
>
> I plan to be at the next Meeting on the 17th with the toys, and a suitably puzzled look on my face, staying for the robot building session after the meeting.
>
> Here is a cute video of the un-hacked toy in the hands of a youngster having some serious fun:
>
> http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=ZNDUTJ481Pw
>
>
> Steve K.
>



#42237 From: andrewn <andrewn@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 6:15 pm
Subject: TEDTalk - Dennis Hong: My seven species of robot
andrew4n
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#42238 From: "Peter Balch" <peterbalch@...>
Date: Thu Apr 8, 2010 10:51 pm
Subject: Re: TEDTalk - Dennis Hong: My seven species of robot
peterbalch@...
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The variable-length wheg was interesting. But does it have any advantage over a 3-spoke fixed-length wheg with a spoke length equal to the maximum length of the variable-length wheg?
 
Could it get over bigger obstacles? I don't see why.
 
I guess it could give a smoother ride on flat ground but that seems a small advantage for such a big increase in complexity.
 
Peter
 

#42239 From: robotMaker <robotmeiker@...>
Date: Fri Apr 9, 2010 4:16 am
Subject: Re: (unknown)
robotmeiker
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Pankaj Kumar Barnwal:

You are being very general in your description. I have seen toys advertised that can climb walls. You did not say if you need help with a wheeled bot or should it have legs.



--- On Wed, 4/7/10, Pankaj Kumar Barnwal <pankajkumarbarnwal@...> wrote:

From: Pankaj Kumar Barnwal <pankajkumarbarnwal@...>
Subject: [SeattleRobotics] (unknown)
To: seattlerobotics@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 5:11 AM



dear sir
i am trying to make a wall climbing robot.
i want to do it with hybrid wheel legged robo
with electroadhesion can you please tell me
how can i do it.


thanks




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#42240 From: Bradley Nelson <bradleynelson@...>
Date: Fri Apr 9, 2010 6:55 pm
Subject: Re: Digest Number 4066
bradleynelson
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You know I am not much of one for replying to these daily missives, however...electroadhesion has such interesting implications. I am reminded of the study done on the structural design of female evening gowns (see "A Stress Analysis of a Strapless Evening Gown: Essays for a Scientific Age") and am struck by the amazing things that could be done with electroadhesive clothing. The mind boggles...


#42241 From: "Kevin Ross" <kevinro@...>
Date: Fri Apr 9, 2010 11:53 pm
Subject: Re: electroadhesion
kevinwross
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Hmmmm... Interesting calculation. Since current is not really an issue here
(other than that which would leak), I suppose it is possible to crank the
voltage up to something obscene to get the adhesion. That would help with
the separation to some degree.

If you think about it, 'static cling' has a ridiculously high voltage with
little current capacity.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Peter Balch" <peterbalch@...>
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 3:17 AM
To: <SeattleRobotics@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [SeattleRobotics] electroadhesion

> http://www.sri.com/rd/electroadhesion.html
>
> When first read about the SRI electroadhesion robot, I wondered (like most
> people I suppose) what sort of voltage it was using. They were claiming
> 0.5
> to 1.5 N/sq.cm which seemed huge.
>
> So lets do some back-of-the-envelope calculations. I'm sure someone will
> correct me if I get it wrong.
>
> The force between the plates of a capacitor is
>
> F = permittivity  * A * V^2 / (2 * d^2)
>
> A is area; V is voltage; d is separation of the plates.
>
> The permittivity of air is around 8.85e-12
>
> Assume that the robot's adhesion plate is a square of side L; then
> rearranging:
>
> V = d/L *sqrt(2*F/permittivity)
>
> If we need a force of 1kg weight (10N) then
>
> V = d/L * sqrt(20/permittivity)
> V = d/L * 1,500,000
>
> If L 20cm and d = 0.1mm then
>
> V = 0.0001/0.2 *1,500,000
> V=750
>
> 750 Volts is achievable relatively easily but getting the separation of
> the
> adhesion plate from the wall to be 0.1mm is quite hard.
>
> Presumably, the adhesion plate is a conductive sheet covered in an
> insulator. How thick must the insulator be? It can't be too thin or its
> insulation will break down. It can't be thick or d gets too big (assume a
> relative permittivity of the insulator of 3 to 4).
>
> SRI claim 1N/sq.cm, so V = 4.7kV if d=0.1mm. Either they're using a big
> voltage or they're managing a much smaller separation.
>
> Peter
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Visit the SRS Website at http://www.seattlerobotics.orgYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

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