Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!watserv2.uwaterloo.ca!mach1!skar7950
From: skar7950@mach1.wlu.ca (Raymond Skarratt u)
Subject: Need project input
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Message-ID: <CL8F06.1ov@mach1.wlu.ca>
Organization: Wilfrid Laurier University
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 20:45:40 GMT
Lines: 38


Hi all!

	I'm dreaming up a little project that I would like to
complete over the summer and would like any and all input that
I can get on it.

	I want to build a small object avoiding robot that 
recharges itself using a solar panel.  Ideally this robot would 
zip around avoiding everything until the battery got low, then it
would seek out a suitable light source and recharge.

	I'm planning to use the infamous Miniboard as a controller,
a coule of motors for movement, four to six IR detectors for object avoid-
ance, possibly a sonar for ranging stuff and I think that's about it.

	I do see a few problems already though.  First is what if it
can't find a suitable light source to recharge?  I was thinking of 
having a recharging dock for that.  Next problem is that my house 
has a lot of stairs and I want it to stay on one level.  I don't
have a solution for that one and would appriciate any input.  I can't
think of any other problems just yet but I will post more as they 
become apparent.  Any other problems with or without possible solutions
would be appriciated.

	This will be the first robot I have built and I would like
to know if you think that this is possibly a little too advanced to
start.  I am currently in second year computer science with a heavy
emphasis on electronics.

	I also need to know names and phone numbers/addresses of suppliers
that people have delt with in the past and had good experiences with.

	Thank you all for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks,
Ray

