[Robotgroup] Detect the Rink. Re: Drive a Droid proposal

[Vern Graner]

john at cozmicfunk.com wrote:
> My personal opinion: I think you are going about this design the wrong 
> way...

This is not uncommon for me.. ;)

> Why does it have to have unlimited RC control then only be able to stay 
> in a small circle? it makes no sense at all...

It makes sense from the standpoint of other fun interactive toys such as 
  model trains, slotcar racers and Hot Wheels cars that allow limited 
control and stay in/on a defined space. Of course, the "small circle" 
will be around 15 to 20 feet across and the droid will be life-sized! :)

> Solution: You need to make the Robot control idiot proof! Instead of 
> giving COMPLETE rc control, you should design the control features 
> around a few pre-programed presets that allow some function (with a 
> avoidance detection system)

Seems you are describing what we are mostly trying to design. We plan to 
have the joystick control the direction of travel of the droid itself 
and the buttons control the sounds and lights via "macros" of 
pre-programmed light/sound/motion of the peripheral parts of the R2 
droid such as the holo-eye, access doors, dome rotation etc.

> and also give the audience what they want: 
> Interaction!

Interaction w/o contact is what we're aiming for. The barrier around the 
robot is to keep the folks and the droid safe. The droid is not a small 
plastic RC toy. It will have substantial mass when it gets moving so we 
want to keep people back. A large robot with a crowd around can be a 
problem. Ask Josh...

http://www.joshholmes.com/SearchView.aspx?q=battlebot

:)

> Because from my point of view, I have already been cruising around a 
> small RC bot and it gets old really fast.

Hence the 30 second "turn clock" so no one gets bored driving! This is 
similar to the coin-operated boats they have at Six Flags Sea World in 
San Antonio. :)

Vern

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