Hey guys.

Took some footage from the deck of my brutusbot to share with everyone.   Lots of work to still add, but so far 5K code out of 32K space!  Lots of room left!

We’d love to see your creations! Upload a video and send the link to info AT robotgames.com and we’ll check it out!

This past spring I was doing weekly presentations about how to write programs, using the Arduino for specific examples.  The presentations halted over the summer, when most of those that had been attending had too many other things happening.  People have such *strange* priorities sometimes   I mean, really.  *I* was there

I will be starting up the presentations again.  This is a complete restart.  No previous programming, robotics, or Arduino knowledge is required.  Just an interest in learning about programming, especially small computers and micro-controllers that could be used in personal robotics projects.

The sessions will cover general computer science concepts, programming techniques, and the language syntax used for the Arduino microcontroller.  This will vary from concepts that apply to any large or small software development project, down to specifics that only apply to an Arduino board.  This is intended to show some of the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’ of creating programs to solve specific tasks.  The goal is to have small pieces that can be immediately played with, and expand from there.

The first [restarted] session will be at the Aero Space Museum

Saturday October 29 at 1 PM

This will be after our normal WCRS gathering, with enough of a gap to clean things up, get setup again, and maybe have a snack.  The current plan is to run these weekly, at whatever speed the attendees can handle.  There is no fixed list of topics.  How long any specific session goes will also vary depending on how things are going.  Generally an hour, to maybe 2 hours.  Anything more will probably just cause overload and confusion.

No particular materials need to be brought.  If you like to take notes on paper, bring that.  No handouts are planned, but links to web pages are often supplied.  If you want to be able to experiment with the examples shown, you will need a computer with the Arduino software on it.  That can be setup before the start of the presentation if needed.  An Arduino board is also optional.  There are a few boards available that can be shared around, to actually see what the code does.  For as far as the previous presentations got, all of the example programs were only turning on and off LEDs to demonstrate the concepts.  For the first few presentations, the single LED that is built in to ‘typical’ arduino boards is all that will be used.  Expansions on that will be discussed as the presentations progress.  The focus will be on the software, with just enough more to be able to ‘talk to’ very simple hardware.

We will try to adapt to who ever shows up, but knowing ahead of time how many to expect makes preparations easier.  If you plan to attend, please send me an email to let me know.  If you can provide a bit of background, that helps too.  Not just ‘I know nothing about computers’.  Knowing what the audience background really is can make it easier to present the new concepts in terms that are more familiar.  Not looking for a resume, just some indication of areas where the concepts and terminology are well known.  Whether that is mechanic, cosmetician, CEO, arcade games, baseball, cooking, or a host of other subjects.

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Phil
remove the 3 un references
unphilduby at unphriendly . unnet
::darn junk mail and email address harvesters anyway

Members who have been around for a while should recognize this kit.

I have been working with Dave L and Solarbotics to bring forward an inexpensive kit for people to being their robotics journey.

Check it out!

http://solarbotics.com/products/60125

Here is an article [with video] that I found about a small robot for ‘rough’ terrain.  The article says the basic unit can be either tracked or wheeled, but the video shows only the tracked version.  From context this appears to be strictly remote controlled, with no onboard navigation or sensor interpretation.  Something like this would make a good base [just add smarts ] for the cross-country / Darpa style challenge idea that has been bounced around at WCRS events on a regular basis.

Versatile robot rascals weigh in for battle

The press release linked from the article has a ‘little’ more detail.  There is also a facebook page with more pictures, still only the tracked version though

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Phil

From my news feeds.  Information about a website that allows [non-technical] users to design [and collaborate on] 3D objects.

No Technical Know-How Needed: Endless Forms Web Site Helps Users ‘Breed’ 3-D Printable Objects

Here is a direct link to the referenced Endless Forms web site as well.

I tried a quick test, and found its ‘evolution’ to be very slow.  I was trying to build a hex-a-pod, but could not even get a flat body to use as a base.  Seems to need a lot of patience.

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Phil

I have been teaching introductory programming for the Arduino to a weekly class the past few weeks.  I missed collecting the email contact information for some of the people who joined the class in the last couple of weeks.  In the hope that they read these postings, I am publishing a notice here.

Here is a small homework reading assignment for the WCRS programming class attendees.  Read the Software Development Methodology article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_methodology) on wikipedia, at least up to the start of “Subtopics”.  From those methodology descriptions, decide which of methodologies are being used for projects by people at WCRS.  Why did you pick that / those methodologies?  Which ones seem like they would fit?  Again, why?

To be discussed in class.

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Phil