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Fast Robot Prototyping

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the zero-to-hal-in-sixty-seconds dept.

Lana writes "This article walks you through various materials and techniques you can use to physically build a robotic prototype. See how to build a fast and easy prototype that can be disassembled, reconfigured, and reassembled. This article builds on a previous articles, entitled 'How to drive your wireless robot.'"

6 of 56 comments (clear)

  1. Hold on... by RedNovember · · Score: 1, Informative

    Let's not forget the first article in the series...

    Overall, it's not a bad primer on the field of robotics. The entire series is a refreshing read for beginners.

    --
    "MY APOCALYPTIC TENOR HAS NOT BEEN DISPELLED!" - T-Rex, qwantz.com
  2. Lego Mindstorms by endlessoul · · Score: 4, Informative

    After skimming TFA, this idea seems all well and good. However, this immediately brought to mind Lego Mindstorms.

    Besides, with Legos, you don't have to have power tools. Just your handy dany digits.

  3. most useful thing for physical prototyping by Mungkie · · Score: 5, Informative

    Some stuff called polymorph (a trade name I think?) it's a thermo plastic that becomes maleable in boiling water and sets tougher than most other plastics. Perfect for making parts for almost anything that is not heated above 50'C.

    Tools wise a dremmel type drill, lathe, set of files, hacksaw, and a screwdriver.

    --
    embedded linux
    1. Re:most useful thing for physical prototyping by Shotgun · · Score: 2, Informative

      Use a paper cutter for the aluminum sheet to get straight cuts.

      Build a brake with a couple door hinges and 3 pieces of wood so that you can put in straight bends.

      --
      Aah, change is good. -- Rafiki
      Yeah, but it ain't easy. -- Simba
  4. Re:OMNI Magazine story on prototype robots in '81 by tpearson · · Score: 3, Informative

    I believe you're talking about Mark Tilden and B.E.A.M. robotics. IIRC, he now works (worked?) at Los Alamos with his bottom-up approach.

  5. If the robot needs a brain by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    http://www.scn.org/~mentifex/mind4th.html is a free artificial intelligence for your robot

    http://mind.sourceforge.net/m4thuser.html is the User Mainual of the free AI Brain for robots.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectionism#Spreadi ng_activation is the principle of operation of the free AI Mind for robots.

    http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/307824.307853 is an ACM paper on the AI Brain from 1998.

    http://doi.acm.org/10.1145/1052883.1052885 is an ACM follow-up paper from 2004.

    http://www.914pcbots.com is where robot-builders discuss the AI Brain in the A.I. Zone forum. See you there.