DPRG mailing list archives: DPRG: Wheel Chair Robot Thoughts

Wed Feb 19 14:07:49 CST 1997

> 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?

I believe most BIOSs will let you disable checking for 
the keyboard, at least mine at home I believe does.
Anyway, on the huge wheel chair that can handle > 200 lbs
and a boat battery, it shouldn't be much of a problem
to leave it hooked in.

GARP's ok, I was just hopeing for something more catchy.

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Jim Brown                jbrown at spdmail.spd.dsccc.com or jbrown at why.net
                         http://users.why.net/jbrown  
                         http://www.dprg.org (Next meeting Mar 22nd)

Work:  972-519-2868      My employer won't claim these opinions.    
Home:  972-495-3821      So I'm giving them away for free.   