DPRG mailing list archives: DPRG: Wheel Chair Robot Thoughts

Wed Feb 19 15:00:43 CST 1997

You wrote: 
>
>I suppose everyone has considered the fact that using a pc-based
>motherboard will force certain other hardware to be always connected
>(i.e.- carried around by the robot).  The POST software in the BIOS 
will
>require a keyboard and a boot device be connected before the system 
can
>boot.  I realize that we plan to have a hard drive on this thing (what
>if we called it GARP for Group Autonomous Robot Project?), but 
carrying
>around a keyboard might require more space (for what amounts to
>non-essential equipment) than we would like to give up. Any thoughts?

We definately need to have the keyboard on board.  If we don't, I 
guarentee will be carring it around and plugging it in to tweek it.  I 
saw some small footprint keyboards at the infomart sale that would work 
good.  I used one of these on my robot using a hinged latch found at 
homedepot.  Just pops down.  Consumes very little space.

Now for the display question.  There are a few companies that make lcds 
with isa bus controller cards.  I think EARTH is one of the companies.  
I see them now an then in circuit cellar ink, nuts & volts, etc.  A 
couple of hundred $ for a complete deal.  

Maybe we just need to find a cheap laptop?  Steve has a REALLY OLD IBM 
laptop that I'm sure he would donate? ;)

Roger.

-- 

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