RoboCommunity

idrum289 · June 27, 2008 2:21 AM

June 27, 2008 2:21 AM

How long will it be before someone comes up with an ED209 or even Robocop! Heh Heh!

I started with 2 robots but before I knew it, well, it's a disease I tell you.
RSV1, RSV2, RS Media, Homersapien, Spidersapien, Roboraptor, Robotyrannus and Roboquad

RobosapienV2-4mem8 · June 27, 2008 6:16 AM

June 27, 2008 6:16 AM

idrum289: I am Already in the process of those two tracked mechs, Unfortunatly these are not allowed in this scenario, I would like to get something going here in NZ with tracked mechs and on the same lines as Tyberius's mech wars, But the population here in NZ may not support this type of hobby. I am in the process of building a modified Lynxmotion J5 and have purchased 4 airsoft cannons to try out on J5, These will be in place of his lower arms and the cannons would mount below the elbow. This is just a try out to see how they work, later mods would include GWJax's Gattling gun plans, as he is in the process of designing an automatic system with rotating barrels CO2 style. This would look awsome on a T105

People yearn after this robotic dream, but you can't strip your life of all meaning, emotion and feeling and expect to function.

Robotic madness http://robosapienv2-4mem8.page.tl/

MrScott · June 27, 2008 6:57 AM

June 27, 2008 6:57 AM

My only quibble is that this doesn't feel like a "General Robotics" thread. It's "Off Topic". My reasoning for that is that Mechs are exo-skeletons on steroids, not robots. There's no autonomy.

Than again, the whole Battle-Bots phenomenon has about as much to do with robots as an rc car race.

Having said all that, it definitely sounds like a fun event, and one I'd love to watch.

ScottE -- Member (always) & Moderator (when needed)

Tyberius · June 27, 2008 10:34 AM

June 27, 2008 10:34 AM updated: June 27, 2008 10:51 AM

Eh, I agree and disagree. I think the definition of robots is widely subjective at this point in technology. I think most in the industry simply define them as autonomous robots or remote operated robots. And the forum is after all called General Robotics, not Autonomous Robots.

Given that these are walking machines with autonomous systems (auto tracking/aiming, automatic balancing with gyros, self-righting capability) I'd say they are closer to the 'purists' view of robots than something like Battle-Bots.

We'll keep you guys posted with the progress. Thanks for the interest!

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MrScott · June 27, 2008 11:05 AM

June 27, 2008 11:05 AM updated: June 27, 2008 11:07 AM

We've certainly beaten that definition to death on various threads here.

I agree there's no single "line" to be drawn that defines what is, or isn't, a robot.

I give bonus robot points for autonomous movement. More points if its programmable. Even more points if its adaptive based on sensing the environment.

A device loses its robot points if it requires manual input (remote or otherwise) to make every movement.

It doesn't matter to me whether a device has legs, wheels, or treads. If it needs somebody to directly steer it (remote or otherwise), I don't consider it a robot. If it requires human input for every motion, it's a remote control vehicle.

Given the complexity of the Mechs in battle, I expect they are somewhere in between. I'd expect some sort of auto-pilot to handle the generalities of getting from point A to point B, with human control of what those points are, and how to react quickly to evolving threats. Something along the lines of an "attack" directive, with the Mech figuring out the targeting and launch of weapons.

Here's my vision of a typical day in the Robotics Lab of the future. Just watch out for the day when a robot evaluates its options and determines it doesn't have to do everything it's told to do.

ScottE -- Member (always) & Moderator (when needed)

Tyberius · June 27, 2008 11:11 AM

June 27, 2008 11:11 AM updated: June 27, 2008 11:15 AM

I'll also mention we have two people developing autonomous mechs to compete in this event. Not sure how well they'll hold up against human piloted ones, but it should be interesting to see.

I guess we can agree that mechs are certainly not autonomous robots, but certainly have autonomous sub-systems.

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RobosapienV2-4mem8 · June 27, 2008 3:17 PM

June 27, 2008 3:17 PM

Tyberius: The two autonomous bots should prove to be an interesting concept and one I will watch closely. Will be interesting to see the reaction times involved when under attack.

People yearn after this robotic dream, but you can't strip your life of all meaning, emotion and feeling and expect to function.

Robotic madness http://robosapienv2-4mem8.page.tl/

MrScott · June 27, 2008 3:37 PM

June 27, 2008 3:37 PM

Processor power is getting to the point where rapid, real-time, pattern recognition and reaction are possible.

The DARPA driverless car challenges have spurred development of the technology needed for such systems.

http://www.darpa.mil/GRANDCHALLENGE/

ScottE -- Member (always) & Moderator (when needed)

RobosapienV2-4mem8 · June 27, 2008 4:46 PM

June 27, 2008 4:46 PM

Agreed MrScott, This technology is fast becoming a reality.

People yearn after this robotic dream, but you can't strip your life of all meaning, emotion and feeling and expect to function.

Robotic madness http://robosapienv2-4mem8.page.tl/

GWJax · July 2, 2008 8:06 PM

July 2, 2008 8:06 PM

Welcome to the community Tyberius! Defintly looking foward with building a Mech with 4mem8 with some cool features. As of what is a robot and what not a robot is up to each person. If we consider human input at all to robot in the not cattagory then all of WowWee's so called robots are really not robots at all now just R/C cars with some brains to move on their own and some sensors but mostly human input are they Mr.Scott but I do hear you call them robots all the time. So now I'm comfused on what you really think is a robot.

GWJax, To Hack and make mods on robots is a life style and comes natural and not by choice. If a robot has a screw to open it then it must be opened!

MrScott · July 2, 2008 9:34 PM

July 2, 2008 9:34 PM updated: July 2, 2008 9:36 PM

It's not that hard to understand. Roaming devices, scanning their environment and reacting to it, are demonstrating autonomous behavior.

When you turn on an RoboReptile, and it enters roaming mode, you're not controlling it. It's controlling itself. That's a robot.

When you turn on RoboReptile, and use the remote control to drive it around the room, that's an RC car with legs.

ScottE -- Member (always) & Moderator (when needed)

Tyberius · July 3, 2008 2:33 AM

July 3, 2008 2:33 AM updated: July 3, 2008 2:35 AM

Quick progress update:

Lower torso and legs of my own Mech Hagetaka have been completed with the exception of some custom aluminum feet I have designed and are having stamped out.

Let me know what you think!

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GWJax · July 3, 2008 7:47 AM

July 3, 2008 7:47 AM

Hice Tyberius, are you going to skin the legs with something?

GWJax, To Hack and make mods on robots is a life style and comes natural and not by choice. If a robot has a screw to open it then it must be opened!

Tyberius · July 3, 2008 9:03 AM

July 3, 2008 9:03 AM

3D Laser printed armor eventually, keeping it bare frame until I get everything built though.

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GWJax · July 3, 2008 9:35 AM

July 3, 2008 9:35 AM

Nice, You must like spending money. hehehe How about throwing some back to me:) Of course keeping it bare until its finnished is always the best way heheh

GWJax, To Hack and make mods on robots is a life style and comes natural and not by choice. If a robot has a screw to open it then it must be opened!

Tyberius · July 3, 2008 11:06 AM

July 3, 2008 11:06 AM

Naw, I just know the right people :p

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altwolf · July 3, 2008 11:37 AM

July 3, 2008 11:37 AM

Tyberius, what are you using for your brackets? It kind of looks like the Bioloid frameset. Or is it all custom?

altwolf · July 3, 2008 11:38 AM

July 3, 2008 11:38 AM

oh duh, I can see the Bioloid box in one of the photos. Lol. So, nm

GWJax · July 3, 2008 11:56 AM

July 3, 2008 11:56 AM

Tyberius said: Naw, I just know the right people :p

Yes good connections are alwayys good to have. Now if I can get those too I'll be in heaven. hehehe

GWJax, To Hack and make mods on robots is a life style and comes natural and not by choice. If a robot has a screw to open it then it must be opened!

Tyberius · July 3, 2008 11:57 AM

July 3, 2008 11:57 AM

Yes, Bioloid initially for prototyping.

I have custom aluminum versions (for the AX-12 and DX-117 actuators) all ready and good to go, just need to send them off to my machine shop to be milled.

That said- I may very well just stick with the plastic ones until I redesign using DX-117s. The stock brackets are surprisingly sturdy.

Join the Robotic Combat Revolution @ Mech Wars!
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GWJax · July 3, 2008 12:05 PM

July 3, 2008 12:05 PM

Mine (4mem8 and me) will be totally hand built with no kit to build off from so I can keep the weight down and customize it to fit the Mech. I just found a CAD person that I work with that he slipped and let me know that he knows CAD so I gave him a insight on what I'm doing and I going to try to get him to Cad it out for me so I can share the Mech details with those who would like to build ours.

GWJax, To Hack and make mods on robots is a life style and comes natural and not by choice. If a robot has a screw to open it then it must be opened!

Tyberius · July 3, 2008 12:18 PM

July 3, 2008 12:18 PM updated: July 3, 2008 12:19 PM

You might want to consider the Bioloid system. Keep in mind you'll need a wireless control scheme, and probably want some sort of balance sensors (IMU, Gyro, etc) and feedback on your servos helps a lot, and isnt found on hobby servos.

The AX-12 actuators are rated at approx 275oz/in of torque running on a LiPo 3s battery (11-12v), have full feedback capability, can integrate with HUV robtoics' 6 axis IMU, and we'll be developing an open source control scheme for it. They're also $45 a unit, which is the best performance/cost ratio of any servo on the market. An HSR-5990 is triple the cost and only yields about 50% more torque.

The comprehensive kit has 18 actuators and a set of more brackets then you'll need. Bang for buck it cannot be beat.

I just want to reiterate how difficult it is to make a balanced, walking bot with a proportional real-time wireless control scheme.

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GWJax · July 3, 2008 12:34 PM

July 3, 2008 12:34 PM

Thanks Tyberius I'll take that into account, As of balancing I was going to use the dual axes accel. chip fo this. maybe it will work or mabe it won't but I'll find out. I'm trying to keep the cost down with out giving up too much going this route. But I may be making a mistake but if I do then I'll go plan B
Jax

GWJax, To Hack and make mods on robots is a life style and comes natural and not by choice. If a robot has a screw to open it then it must be opened!

milw · July 3, 2008 1:04 PM

July 3, 2008 1:04 PM

Tyberius, is there a link to go to register a team? Or should we just start and follow along with the specs as they are fleshed out?

Rovio rules!
Wisconsin Iron :: Cellular Atomics

Tyberius · July 3, 2008 1:42 PM

July 3, 2008 1:42 PM updated: July 3, 2008 1:44 PM

You can register for the event with Mech Wars here: http://mech-warfare.com/register.aspx

Once we have a solid roster I will send out information to finalize registration for the event at Robogames 2009. The event is scheduled and it will happen, we already have our spot reserved on the floor (in fact the organizer of Robogames, David Calkins, is participating in the competition)

Rules are subject to change, I'm trying to keep them fairly loose for year 1, after which we will adjust them based upon the outcome and experience at the first event. Current rules are posted here: http://mech-warfare.com/rules.aspx

I will continue to update the rules list if changes are made. Some topics I am putting up as polls on the Mech Wars Forums to get participant feedback. If you have ANY questions or suggestions regarding the rules, feel free to contact me: Andrew@mech-warfare.com

Likewise I check my PMs if you dont feel like emailing.

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