[Robotgroup] Tiny Robot Wanted!

[Gray Mack]

Javier, I saw this post recently and was wondering if
you got anywhere with your robot designs.
In looking at an example from the movie "Batteries Not
Included"
http://www.ketzer.com/original_movie_props/wheems.html
You might be right that a real robot may not be the
best approach for something small and detailed like
that.

My suggestion is to try to model it in a cad program.
Something like autocad or google sketchup. Then you
have a basis for your CGI model already done.
And you can experiment with the little details like
teeth, eyebrows, etc which are likely important in
making your robot seem menacing or lovable or
somewhere in between.

The next step might be to check out some card folding
applications. Download a free copy of Pepakura
Designer ( http://www.tamasoft.co.jp/pepakura-en/ )and
see that it will import the format that your CAD
program can export. This will allow you to print out a
cut-out-and-fold paper model of your 3d design. You
could probably transfer the design to thin sheet metal
and tin snip it out for something more rigid. With
some careful design, you might even be able to use
some pushwire cables to animate it. Here is an example
of a CAD to 3d paper model I created using these
techniques in just one evening:
http://robotics.meetup.com/69/photos/135747/1094946/

You may find it hard to get anyone to volunteer to
actually build one as it involves a lot of time and
work. But it is something you could do yourself, or
maybe you could find a way to get some kids involved
for some sort of contest/prize?  

-Gray

--- Javier Bonafont <bonafont at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> 
> 
> Hi robot afficionados.
> 
> I'm an austin filmmaker and I have a possible Web
> series that involves a
> small robot, about 4" tall, and I'm looking for
> somebody to help design and
> build it.  There will be a CGI version of it also,
> but I want to start with
> the physical version.  Anyone in the austin area
> interested?  possible
> deferred pay if the pilot is picked up.
> 
> The robot is essentially a mechanical puppet, not
> necessarily a real robot,
> but it has to look like something out of "batteries
> not included" or
> something of that nature, with parts that move and
> light up, etc.
> 
> email me for more information and details at
> bonafont at sbcglobal.net
> 
> 
> thanks!
> 
> Javier Bonafont


      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing.  Make Yahoo your home page. 
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs