Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!ftpbox!mothost!merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com!sgi.dev.cdx.mot.com!johnb
From: johnb@sgi.dev.cdx.mot.com (John Bottoms)
Subject: Who Does Robotics
Message-ID: <1993Sep30.140317.3969@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com>
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Organization: Avalon Systems Inc. Concord, MA
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1993 14:03:17 GMT
Lines: 95

I think Clint missed the point. But surely this is a discussion on
"What is robotics". But Glen is not only close to home but right on
the money for my intent. The issue is this: How can we make affordable
robots available to beginners. 

Mousetrap robots, if you will allow a little poetic license, provide
1. low entry cost
2. departure point for discussions about drive mechanisms, materials
   characteristics system complexity
3. A focal point for competition

In starting the Boston Robotics Society I am looking for ways to engage
as many young people as possible in the intellectual discussion about
robotics as possible. I am not interested in having the richest kid
come in with an assembled toy robot that his father/mother put together
for him/her.

Glen's response indicates the departure point. The follow on questions
involve the complexity of mousetrap robots that can be built. Can you 
make one that travels, stops and blows confetti around or picks up a
sponge ball.

Clearly the interests in robotics is bi-modal involving a range of 
people from tyros to experienced researchers. The researchers will take
care of their work. The novices don't even know where to start. Can we
take a minute to consider the rest of the world.

 -johnbottoms
  Boston Robotics Society


CLINT LASKOWSKI writes:

>>In article <1993Sep28.201806.13140@merlin.dev.cdx.mot.com> johnb@sgi.dev.cdx.mot.com (John Bottoms) writes:
>>>I seem to remember a competition featuring mousetrap driven robots. Can
>>>someone explain the mechanism for converting arc-motion to linear/circular
>>>for driving wheels? Or if plans are available I'd be interested. 

>>Simple!

>>Wrap a string around a shaft, then tie the free end to the swing-arm
>>of the mousetrap.  When the mousetrap is triggered, the string will
>>unwind from the shaft causing it to turn.

>When "Johnb" first posted his message, I thought it was a joke!

>What are the chances Johnb is really intered in micromouse competitions
>and not mouse trap robots? Mouse trap robots seem a bit silly to
>me :-) But, I suppose anything is possible!

>- Clint
>-- 
>============================
>CLINT LASKOWSKI            
>P. O. Box 552              
>Cudahy, Wisconsin 53110-552
>(414) 778-7675                  
><clint.laskowski@mixcom.com>
>============================


>In comp.robotics you write:

>>I seem to remember a competition featuring mousetrap driven robots. Can
>>someone explain the mechanism for converting arc-motion to linear/circular
>>for driving wheels? Or if plans are available I'd be interested. 

>> -johnbottoms
>>  Boston Robotics Society


>     John,

>     A simple description:

>          Arm pulls on the string
>          The string is wrapped around an axle
>          The axle is connected to a drive wheel

>     Since the torque of a mouse trap is measured in ounces, the spring on
>     the arm has more than enough power to move the trap-car.  The games
>     come when your car (self)starts behind a line, travels x-feet and then
>     does XXXXXXXXXX.

>     For example, your car has to sit still at least 15 seconds, advance not
>     less that 10 feet and dump a cup of water.

>     I'm sorry, but I don't have plans.  Check with your local college 
>engineering
>     department of examples from past contests (for those that did'nt keep 
>them).

>     Glen Jensen


