Cybot and TOM out of retirement

While we are waiting for our new facilities to be prepared, we are revisiting the robots from the "Real Robots" magazine: one Cybot in 'racing colours' developed up to the end of Phase 2, one fully developed Cybot in original 'plumage', and one fully developed TOM. Even though they are ten years old there is still much to explore.

Looking for a new venue

With the demise of the old CC6, we are hoping to find a new home for the group.

Our Robot Arms are 'Famous'!

While talking to Feedback PLC it transpired that our arms were originally bought by Guinness! "I wondered where the Guinness arms were now!". Apparently, they were bought to 'star' in one of their adverts, but were never used!

Computer controlled slot racing - progress!

Problem one has been that as the car passes over the magnetic sensor, the pulse length is too short for the interface box to detect. An old modular bistable is triggered, the the box can read it at its leisure! Timing has also been a problem. In standard configuration, after passing over the magnetic sensor, the car takes over half a lap to react. Two changes: trace speed set to fastest, in advanced options read speed changed from 200 to 70. These changes allow the box to react more quickly, as the video shows.

Robot Arms sent off for refurbishment!

Our two Mentor robot arms are being repaired. After 30 years of use, they were showing their age and the faults were multiplying. They were bought when IBM PCs only had monochrome monitors!!
Feedback PLC in Crowborough will be fixing them; surprisingly the arms are still being manufactured.

Trains in close-up

Two engines individually controlled, by virtue of the track being split into 3 sections. The 4 digital outputs used from the box control the 7 sets of points, 2 of the analogue outputs controlling the engines. 20 reed switches triggered by magnets fixed to the engines providing positional feedback to the program.

Computer Controlled Train Set

Controlled using the excellent Deltronics 'Control It Plus', using the CoCo control language.

Quicker car racing interface

The box used to respond very slowly and the pulses were so quick that the computer didn't recognise them so we used a bistable to recognise the pulse through the input and keep it on until another input was pressed. We also changed the reading speed from 200 to 10 and we turned the trace off because it took up too much of the processing time. It is all shown in this video.

AT-AT Permission Granted

We've been given the green for GO to build a LEGO NXT robot AT-AT to be controlled by our controller. It will be quite hard building the legs!!

Shooter bot with bluetooth

Shooter bot controlled by bluetooth!!

Line Follower of the week

                                                        12.28 seconds around the track

Spike bluetooth

We can now control the stinger on spike as well as the legs through the controller.

IT WORKS!!!!!!!

(spike's tail and legs that is)
Watch film
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I am trying to create a program to initiate bluetooth connection

It is hard!

Spike's leg is NOT WORKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am going through the programs trying to find what is wrong.

Touch sensor installed on NXT Reciever

We have incorporated the touch sensor in the NXT program but now one of the legs isn't working!!!

"Spike" controlled through Bluetooth

....using the same program that controlled the buggy. Now for push-button activation of the 'sting'!

Master and slave NXT

We have finally managed to connect two NXTs together in a slave and master combination, this allows us to control one NXT remotely using another via bluetooth. This should pave the way for a far wider range of possibilities than before.

Our track design

Some success

Adjusting the read rate for the USB port resulted in an acceptable delay. Time to order some more reed switches!

Interface box responds too slowly

Monostable tried, but time constant not long enough - still pulse not detected. In bistable mode pulse is detected, but interface box is so slow that the car does 3/4 of a lap before it reacts!!!

Reed switch sensor experiment

Triggered  by magnet on car, but pulse too quick for interface box.

Computer Controlled Car Racing Progress

Initial experiments show that the interface box has sufficient power to drive the cars. Now for the postion sensors.

New Line Follower Record Breaker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znHl_-_ok8A

New Project

Computer controlled slot car racing.

Blog Started

Follow the progress of the Robotics Group. We meet every Monday and Tuesday lunchtime in CC6, with the advanced group meeting on Friday.