DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] Introducing Myself

Mon Jun 9 11:39:58 CDT 2008

Hi Rud,

I second the request for more info on your impressions on the iCreate.
 I've used a Roomba as a platform before, and I think it'd be a neat
way for students to get into robotics quickly.

BTW, I'm a ham myself! But without any radios.  So it goes.

Ed
KE5AYE

On 6/8/08, Randy M. Dumse <rmd at newmicros.com> wrote:
> Hi Rud,
>
> Welcome to the group. There are several hams or ex-hams here.
> Kip Moravec recently got his license. I had one 30+ years ago.
>
> Dean Hall is in the Houston area, and is organizing a
> RoboMagellan group. Think the name is something like SHARP?
> Maybe he's reading in and will say something. They're going
> through the same issues of getting to waypoints right now. Dean
> is a fan of Python btw.
>
> There is interest in the iCreate, but I haven't seen one myself.
> I've answered a few questions on them by reading the manual.
> Feel free to ask questions or comment on your work more. I'm
> sure people here will find it interesting.
>
> Randy
>
>
>   _____
>
> From: dprglist-bounces at dprg.org
> [mailto:dprglist-bounces at dprg.org] On Behalf Of Rud Merriam
> Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2008 3:41 PM
> To: Dallas Robotics
> Subject: [DPRG] Introducing Myself
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> I am in The Woodlands, north of Houston. I am a semi-retired
> software developer (C/C++, Windows, embedded systems) and ham
> radio operator.
>
> I started playing around with robots a few years ago by working
> on a platform that would carry laptop as the computer. That got
> put aside. A short while ago I got an iRobot Create and the
> Command Module (CM) for it. The CM is an AVR 168 microcontroller
> system with a reasonable amount of capabilities.
>
> I have it running a behavior based system after Jone's "Robot
> Programming". It does the drive, bump, and escape. It has a
> battery charger docking station and I am working on the docking
> behavior.
>
> The next major effort is I2C communications with a compass
> module and 8 IR sensors. The goal with the IR sensors is for it
> to wander the house without bumping into everything. Percolating
> in the back of my head is how to get it to start from the
> docking station and hit specific waypoints given only their
> coordinates. (HAH! First major trick is what is the coordinate
> system?)
>
> I will wander through your web site and email list for
> information. Already have some of D. Anderson's work and would
> love to get a jBot.
>
> I have a least one question but that can wait for another email.
>
>
> Any one on the list also in the Houston area? All the Houston
> groups I find on the web seem to be defunct.
>
> - 73 -
> Rud Merriam K5RUD
> ARES AEC Montgomery County, TX
>  <http://TheHamNetwork.net> http://TheHamNetwork.net
>
>