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From: rstevew@armory.com (Richard Steven Walz)
Subject: Re: Tell me about BEAM!
Organization: The Armory
Date: Tue, 11 Oct 1994 08:44:42 GMT
Message-ID: <CxI2yK.MHr@armory.com>
References: <Cx7I15.I19@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca>
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In article <Cx7I15.I19@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca>,
Darren <djwwu@sail.uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
>Greetings all!
>
>Would someone please tell me something about BEAM robotics?  What it is,
>places to find out more and how to start building my own stuff?
>
>Thanks to all who can help.
>
>Darren.  <djwwu@sail.uwaterloo.ca>
------------------------------------
Here's a tiny bit of info! And note that he referenced something at
waterloo.edu in my letter about another post I first responded to!!!!
-Steve Walz    rstevew@armory.com
----------------------------------
Date: Mon, 26 Sep 94 11:25:26 -0500
To: Richard Steven Walz <rstevew@armory.com>
From: Matt Foerschler <p00608@psilink.com>

The first time I heard about BEAM robotics was in AK Dewdney's now 
defunct magazine _Algorithm_.  BEAM stands for (if I remember correctly)
Biology, Electronics, Art and Mechanics -- which were the original 
concepts behind BEAM.  Draw from biology into electronics and mechanics 
and make it artful.  Tilden originally (and still does) advocated using 
the parts from discarded electronics items-- Walkmans, disk drives, 
etc. -- to make machines that moved.  He avoids the use of 
computers/microcontrollers in his machines.  The original SolarRunner 
consisted of parts from a Walkman, a solar cell from a solar 
calculator, some brass tubing, part of a printer roller, a couple of 
transistors, a zener diode, a capacitor and a resistor.  All (or 
essentially all) of Tilden's machines that I have seen are solar 
powered and totally autonomous.

If I can, I'll send you a copy of the _Algorithm_ BEAM article.  I know 
I can FAX a copy to you, but I'm not sure the state or condition of my 
full page scanner to scan it into electronic form for districution.  A 
couple of other people have expressed an interest in the article, so 
I'll need to do something.

If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to drop me an e-mail 
or you can call me 9-5CDT at (913)339-5137.

Keep in touch!

====================================

>Dear Matt,
>
>Please explain what BEAM robotics is? I have not uncovered any reference to
>it in the group or other groups! I would love to hear what it is and how it
>relates to the Solar Runner and the Living Machines paper. I will check
>your pointer to math.uwaterloo.ca /beam. If that doesn't explain it in
>sufficient detail, or if it does, I would still love to hear what you are
>doing and what it is for you.
>Thanks,
>-Steve Walz   rstevew@armory.com
>

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