Mike's Free Time

2006-12-04T18:07:00.002-06:00

Hidden Frontier - On the Today Show!

2006-12-04T18:07:00.001-06:00

2006-12-04T18:07:00.000-06:00

Hidden Frontier on ABC

2006-12-04T18:01:00.000-06:00

Kansas City Space Pirates Qualifying Attempt

2006-12-04T17:40:00.001-06:00

chad vader episode 3

2006-12-04T17:40:00.000-06:00

Star Wars Chad Vader Part 4

2006-11-11T13:37:00.000-06:00

Robonova-1 Leg kick #2

2006-11-06T19:22:00.000-06:00

Robonova-1 dos the splits

2006-11-04T13:28:00.000-06:00

Robot Open house #3

2006-11-04T13:26:00.000-06:00

Not jumping #1

2006-10-14T22:08:00.000-05:00

Gyro Test On my Robonova

Robot Open House, Oct. 21st.

2006-09-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

Science City, KC will have there open house on Oct. 21 between 10:00am and 5:00pm. They want me too be there and I want to be there, just have too work out the details. Right now I am taking ideas from friends as too what I should do with my Robonova-1, aka Boomer.

Robot Open House

2006-09-26T20:20:00.000-05:00

Looks like Science City, KC's open house Robotics show will be on Oct. 14. Still waiting too hear back on if my robot will be part of the show? I am planning on making a video to run on my laptop and posters. I think that I will make up a poster about Kansas Cities, MO first Robo/one competition. I will not set a date, time or where it will be just that it will be next year. I hope that I can generate enough interest in it so that I can set a date, time and place. It maybe real low budget. No prizes, in my garage and my robot is the only one entered but you have to start somewhere. I am still trying too come up with a good name for it.
(Robot Cage Match Too the Death)?

Showing off my Robonova-1 at Science City.

2006-09-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

Science City, KC is running a special exhibits on robots starting Sept. 29. I maybe able to do demistrations of my robot on Saturdays or Sundays. I am waiting for word from the KC Robot club to see if I am in. I my be able to posts some times in the next week or too.

2006-09-09T23:46:00.000-05:00

SG1 - The Puppets

Fighting Thoughts#2

2006-09-09T23:11:00.000-05:00

I think that a form of robo martial arts maybe the ticket in a robo/one match. Have counter moves too your opponents moves. That way you can use your opponents imbalance or movement as a way too let them fall over. I may look in too classes for myself too give me ideas.

Pros and Cons of Robot Magazine.

2006-09-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

tempusmaster said...
It is a good magazine isn't it.I like it a lot, but usually have to wait a while after they publish because of the international shipping delays.I'd be curious to hear what you like (and dislike) about the magazine. Are there areas you would like to see more coverage, or more detail? What about the level of depth - want more technical info, or less? Things like that. Publishers (and writers like me) are always interested in hearing what their readers have to say. I think they have a feedback section on their online user forum as well.

One of the best technical magazine is Maximum PC Magazine. I think that the magazine is a good balance between beginning to0 technical for the average reader and not too basic for the advanced reader. I think that even an advance subject can be easier to understand with lots of examples and step by step pictures of the process. The other two cool things they do are. One, have special additions with step by step guides with lots of pictures to show you how to build computers. Two they do detail comparisons of hardware and software too gave the customer insights as too the good and bad side of each. I think that the magazine can be come more technical if done right. I think that the magazine needs to become more technical and more detailed. They can always do a special addition on one type of robot. Go onto a lot of detail about its construction with a lot of pictures. Save more general articles for the main magazine. I would like to see more articles on the history of robots and Robo/ones. Interviews with the top builders not just ones from the US. The Popular Science articles on robots had nothing on home built robots or on robo/ones. I think that they didn't even know that robots are beening builded by hobbies and beening builded by people outside the US. That embarrassed me as an America. That is what is so great about the internet. Robosaveys forum is based in the UK and you live in and write your website from Japan. I would have never know about or been able to build my Robonova without help from people that I have never meet or talked too. There needs too be more in depth articles about modifications and building tips. The instruction Manuel that came with my robot was hard to understand. I think that buying a robot from Japan or South Korea scares off a lot of people in the US because of hard too understand instruction manuals. I think a well done building video in English would help out this problem. I welly want too make this video but do not have the time or money to do it right now. I think the robot magazine could come with a cd full with programs, videos and software about robots. The last thing that I can think of right now is that the magazine needs to tell about what maybe wrong with a product. I know that computer hardware and software companies want too hear about the bad side of there products and how they compare too other companies. I know they go out of there way too get good reviews and too have the best product in the eyes of Maximum PC magazine. That only helps the customer in my thinking.

A Pin move for Robo/one.

2006-09-08T18:26:00.000-05:00

Fighting Thoughts#1
Can you fell down on top of another robot to keep them from getting up. If that is in the rules then wait until the other robot falls down. Then use your own robots weight to keep your opposition on the floor. I also need to buy larger and more than one battery for Boomer my robot. That is the new name for my robot.

2006-09-08T18:21:00.000-05:00

RoboGames 2006 Humanoid Wrestling w/ Rook's Pawn

Robot Magazine

2006-09-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

I have a subscription to Robot magazine you should too!

2006-09-05T21:39:00.000-05:00

Ugobe's Pleo Robotic Dinosaur

Some new, old pictures of Grace Park!!!!!

2006-09-05T19:38:00.000-05:00

Lord of the Rings Limited Edition.

2006-09-05T19:30:00.000-05:00

I thought that the six hours of behind the scenes documentary was awesome! Seeing how they did everthing was worth the 60.00 dollars I payed for all three movies.

Robo/one 10

2006-09-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

Robo/one 10 is 9/16 through 9/17. I think that is 9/17 through 9/18 here. Wish that I could go! Maybe next year. I think Matt Baur is going. I heard that there will be over 150,000 people there! I would pay 20.00 dollars to see a 2 or 3 hour video about it! Maybe Robotdreams or Matt Baur will make one.

2006-09-04T08:15:00.000-05:00

Muhe'e Dances!

2006-09-04T08:12:00.000-05:00

Robo-One: I've fallen, watch me get up

2006-09-04T08:11:00.000-05:00

Muhe'e Practices his Yoga

2006-09-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

Thor-Boardin

Tempusmaster Comment

2006-09-03T09:22:00.000-05:00

Tempusmaster Comment:
So, Mike - what did you think? I'm curious about your impression of the ROBO-ONE J robots.

I am having lots of fun with my Robonova. I have been showing it off at work and to my friends and my friends friends. All of them think it is cool! The biggest problem with Robo/ones and why they are slow to catch on in the US is there cost. You should see the look on peoples faces when I tell them the kit cost me 1000.00 dollars. I wish some one would come out with a kit less than 500.00 dollars. They can also have added on kits to make the robot more capable. Where is all those add on kits for the Robonova that Hitec uses to talk about? I am hoping that I can follow in the foot steps of Matt Baur next year. Goto the robot games in San Francisco and then even to goto Japan for one of the Robo/one games. Hopefully I will have the time and money to do both.

2006-09-01T06:41:00.001-05:00

Rook's Pawn at the ROBOGAMES

2006-09-01T06:41:00.000-05:00

Rook's Pawn at the ROBOGAMES 2

2006-08-30T05:58:00.000-05:00

ROBO-ONE J 7: Demonstration Event

2006-08-26T23:22:00.000-05:00

RN 5-DOF arms

2006-08-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

FRH-1 RN-1 Robotic Hand

2006-08-20T22:06:00.000-05:00

Awesome, Grace Park

2006-08-20T22:03:00.001-05:00

Clyons favorite Drink?

2006-08-19T22:50:00.000-05:00

Robonova w/ 20 D.O.F. Movement Test

2006-08-19T22:32:00.000-05:00

The Awesome Grace Park

100_0040

2006-08-07T22:34:00.000-05:00

100_0040
Originally uploaded by mover032000.

90% done with my Robonova-1

2006-08-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

Robot workout

2006-08-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

chad vader ep 1

2006-08-06T21:41:00.000-05:00

Trailer: Chad Vader - Episode 3 is COMING!

2006-08-06T21:40:00.000-05:00

Chad Vader - Day Shift Manager (episode 2)

2006-08-06T15:32:00.000-05:00

My Robot FLIP

I got my robot to do the flip.

2006-07-30T21:04:00.000-05:00

Tri-Robo-Flip

2006-07-27T21:15:00.000-05:00

Robo-Flip

2006-07-23T21:29:00.000-05:00

Star Trek Club

2006-07-18T20:24:00.000-05:00

Robonova-1 first steps 2

2006-07-18T20:22:00.000-05:00

Robonova-1 first steps

2006-06-24T18:10:00.000-05:00

Will Ben Affleck be the new Spock?

2006-06-24T10:45:00.000-05:00

Is He a good choice for the Next Capt. Kirk

Matt Damon the next James T. Kirk

2006-06-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

2006-06-18T12:47:00.000-05:00

Teaser Chekov

2006-06-18T12:46:00.002-05:00

Star Trek 5.3

2006-06-18T12:46:00.001-05:00

Star Trek 5.2

2006-06-18T12:46:00.000-05:00

Doom's Day 5.1

2006-06-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

Pilot Act #1

2006-06-17T01:50:00.000-05:00

Chekov Trailer

2006-06-10T22:41:00.000-05:00

Star Trek New Voyages the Pilot.

2006-06-10T22:40:00.000-05:00

Star Trek New Voyages

Go to http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/1024/cast_crew.php

for more.

Me

2006-06-03T21:24:00.000-05:00

2006-06-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Super Cat Jumping 2

One of Rygal's favorite games. Go get the toy mouse.

CBS was lots of robot videos from CES 2006

2006-06-03T18:19:00.000-05:00

Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

"Digital Dan" Dubno of CBS was at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. We just loves the Robonova!

2006-06-02T22:13:00.000-05:00

Robonova-1 servo settings a little off. #2

Looks like its ankle setting is off and maybe the hips. I am going to recheck every they twice than try to reset the zero positions through Robobasic. Looks like It is assemble correctly?

Robot owners add yourself to the map.

2006-06-02T19:46:00.000-05:00

http://www.frappr.com/roboonerobotowners

2006-06-02T16:30:00.000-05:00

Robonova-1 building #5

All most done have to tie up servo wires and put on back panel. After that I can start learning how to program in robobasic.

2006-06-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

My fat cat not jumping-5!

My 19 and 1/2 pound will not jump. He wants attention though!

2006-06-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

Jumping Cat-1!

My super cat!

All most done with Robonova

2006-06-01T20:05:00.000-05:00

Robonova #113
Originally uploaded by mover032000.

The battery is charging. All I have to do is tie up the servo wires and put on the back body panel.

Dayton Moore new GM for the Royals.

2006-05-31T12:37:00.000-05:00

Sounds like a awesome hire. I just hope he builds the team around pitching, defense and speed!!!!!!!!!! Why did the Braves let him go? Seems to have a lot of experience. A book for all Royals fans. It has to be a great father's day gift.

Added more build pictures of Robonova.

2006-05-30T21:06:00.000-05:00

I think now is the hard part. I have to add the control board, connect the servos and the hardest part tie up all the servo wires. Pictures

Walk around inspection of Robonova. All most done!

2006-05-30T20:23:00.000-05:00

Final check of Robonova servo range of motion.

2006-05-30T20:11:00.000-05:00

Pictures of my Robonova assembly.

2006-05-30T15:51:00.000-05:00

Check out all my pictures of my Robonova assembly. I am about done.

A Robonova building video.

2006-05-30T15:34:00.000-05:00

Checking Robonova's legs for correct range of motion.

2006-05-29T16:54:00.000-05:00

Finish the feet before attaching the legs

2006-05-27T22:50:00.000-05:00

I think that you should attached the foot covers and arrange servo foot wires before attaching the legs. If you look at page 26 and 27 of the manual the feet are not attached to the legs. Complete the feet first then attach the legs to them. I think that it is the easiest way to make the legs. Pages 26 and 27 should come before pages 23 through 25.

Getting the servos on the right side.

2006-05-27T22:35:00.000-05:00

The diagram on page 10 helps. You can also check the screw color and the direction the servo wires point. The servo wires will all point to the outside of the leg or arm. The black screws should be all on one side and the silver all on the other side.

Error on page 22 of Robonova manual.

2006-05-27T22:28:00.000-05:00

The numbers of the servos are wrong. 3 and 2 and 1 and 4 go together. The correct alignment is on the top of page 21.

The numbered servo horns.

2006-05-27T22:14:00.000-05:00

When you screw back on the number servo horns they will move out of position. So double check the horn's alignment because it will be off when you screw it back on. I hope they do not have to be exact. Mine are probably off a little.

A trick to holding on to robonova's servos

2006-05-27T21:59:00.000-05:00

I am using black shelf liner on my work table and a small piece in my hand. When you are screwing and unscrewing the servo case screws the servo is hard to hold. The non-slick, grabbing surface of the liner helps. The liner also protects your hand.

Phillips screw drivers and Robonova

2006-05-27T17:15:00.000-05:00

On most of the screws I am using a #1 phillips screw driver. I use a magnetic one to start the screw and a normal one to tighten the screw. My first screw driver tip is showing a lot of wear. I am now on my second one. Unscrewing and then screwing back on the servo casing screws is a lot of hard. The process of mounting the servos to the frame work of the robot is what takes up most of your time in assembly.

Robonova-1 build pictures!

2006-05-25T21:11:00.000-05:00

These are pictures from my building of the Robonova. I going to add more in the next few weeks.

Grace Park and Battlestar Galactica up for many Emmys!

2006-05-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

Check out the Sci Fi channel's Emmy page.

Using nuts and washers on hip and ankle brackets.

2006-05-22T19:38:00.000-05:00

Looks like my idea will work. It is hard to do because you have to us needle nose pliers to start and screw on the nut. Once you get it started a 2mm washer and nut will fit with no problem on the 2mm machined screw. I have more pictures of the assembly of my robonova. I will try to post more when I have time. I hope to finish building and posting all the pictures in the next few weeks.

Thanks Lem!

2006-05-21T07:19:00.000-05:00

From Lem at Robot dreams
Thanks for the help.

ROBO-ONE: Intended to be the Formula One competition for bipedal robots. The first day of the competition is devoted to demonstrations' where the team has 2 minutes to demonstrate their robot and show off its performance. There's a panel of judges that score on a number of factors. Only the top 32 robots get to come back the next day to compete in the ring. The height limitation was added after the ROBO-ONE 7 competition when the Koreans showed up with a huge robot that was about 3 times taller than normal. There is no weight restriction for this classification. Starting with ROBO-ONE 10 this September it looks like the foot size regulations will get tighter.ROBO-ONE J is basically the beginner classification. The robots are smaller, though some of the ROBO-ONE J robots also compete in theROBO-ONE class. With ROBO-ONE J 7 this August the weight limitation is being raised from 1.5 kg to 2.0 kg. At the same time the foot size regulations are getting tighter. The J-class is open to anyone, butthey really encourage family participation and give a 50 point handicap to family teams with junior high school or younger operators.ROBO-ONE Special includes challenges like walking up and down stairs,opening and going through doors, crossing an obstacle course, and the like. Usually only the top robots like Yokozuna Great, Dynamizer, anda others with similar skill levels even get to enter. ROBO-ONE On PC - rather than being a computer game, it's actually ananalytical, design challenge. The challenge is posed and then the entrants have to come up with their best solution/design using computer based CAD, analysis, and simulation software tools. It's beenthe basis for the ROBO-ONE in the Space project.Technical Conference - A one day conference featuring presentations by many of the top competitors and industry guru's. The papers presentedat conferences 1 through 5 are available for download on the ROBO-ONEwebsite (in Japanese).There's also the ROBO-ONE GP (Grand Prix) events - a series ofcontests between the top competitors that take place through out theyear. Usually they're held in conjunction with a major robot orindustry trade show or exhibition and are intended to promote interestin ROBO-ONE.

Problems with on-line translators.

Lem "There are a few problems with translations like this. First, theJapanese writer always assumes that the reader is already familar withthe topic, so they tend to leave out a lot of information. Usuallythey are very surprised when they find out that people don'tunderstand what they wrote. It happens all the time here.Another major problem is with the translation of 'negatives'. Quiteoften the sense gets reversed."

I get the same response from friends on blog entries and from teachers on test essay questions and essays I turn in!

Robo-one Classes

2006-05-20T22:26:00.000-05:00

Robo-One:

Robo-One J Class:

Robo-One Special:

Robo-One PC:

Anti-static work gloves.

2006-05-20T22:14:00.000-05:00

Also when I was at my local computer store. I found these anti-static work gloves.
These gloves and a anti-static pad should protect my robonova's controller board from esd during assembly.

Cable Sleeving Kit

2006-05-20T21:59:00.000-05:00

I was at one of my local computer stores and found this kit. It was more than enough sleeving for my robonova's servo wires. 10 feet of 1/8, 1/4 sleeving. 5 feet of 3/8, 1/2 sleeving. It also has some heatshrink tubing and nylon zip ties. All for only 16.00 dollars.

Servo horn placement on Robonova.

2006-05-16T23:08:00.000-05:00

Matt Bauer has a help page on placement both for the arms and legs. The pictures and text help. I think the manual needs some work. On bauer's page click on the Robonova-1 help in the middle. Then click on the P1 or page one index number near the top of page.

Loctite 222

2006-05-16T13:33:00.000-05:00

From Tempusmaster:
I'm not sure about the Hitec Robonova manual reference since I don't have one, but the most common "screw lock" used among the Robo-One builders here in Japan is Loctite 222. It's only applied for metal to metal threads (not metal to plastic) and used in moderation. Some people use a stronger Loctite, but it can be hard to break loose if you're not careful - and sooner or later you will want to remove screws. Here's what the Loctite website says about 222:222 Threadlocker Low Strength/Small ScrewLow strength threadlocker. Designed for precision metal fasteners under 3/4". Protects threads from rust and corrosion. Removable with hand tools. Available WorldwideTypical ApplicationsSet screws, adjustment screws, calibration screws, meters, gauges.

I am still not sure why to use it on a robo-one. The screws should not rust and you may want to remove them in the future. It may help keep them in place? I think I will try my washer and nut idea on the screws. I am worried about the stress on the hip bracket the most. The robonova manual dose not say where to use the screwlock. So I think that I will not use it right now.

Java-One Conference

2006-05-16T06:57:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine is going to the java-one conference. He is going to give a report on lego robots programmed in java and the Mythbusters. I can miss the lego robots but the Mythbusters! There is a after hours party on Thursday where they will talk about the show. They write articles for the robot magazine. That is where I first found out about robo-ones.

Interviews with Grace Park.

2006-05-15T23:08:00.000-05:00

Found two new interviews with Grace Park from Battlestar Galactica.
One:
Two:
I can't believe we have to wait until October for new episodes!

Robot-Fan has a help page.

2006-05-14T21:17:00.000-05:00

I used excite to translate the page. It says something about screw lock. The translation is bad so I am not sure what it is? The hitec manual also mentions screw lock on page 11. You can download the pdf version of the manual. It takes a lot of time to go through the robot-fan page because the translation is not the best. Has many cool videos when you find them.

Ideas on protecting servo wires.

2006-05-14T19:17:00.000-05:00

Matt Bauer called it snake-skin shielding. It protects the power supply wires in my computer case. It is called cable sleeving, braided wrap-around sleeving. You can buy it in rolls at most computer stores usually in a case mod sleeving kit. There are also wire looms, spiral wrap and heat shrink tubing. Most of then can be bought at computer stores. I am wondering if they my be to bulky. Black electric tape and lots of cable ties may work the best?

Robo-one Pictures and videos

2006-05-14T15:58:00.000-05:00

I like the up close and detail pictures of the robo-ones. I need to come up with a way to protect my servo wires on my robonova. Pictures on the teamkiss site.

A website translator.

2006-05-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

I am not sure how well the Babel Fish translator works. I am hoping to use it on some of the Japanese robo-one websites.

A Robot called Plen.

2006-05-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

The video of it roller skating is way cool. I can't tell if you can buy them are not. I am only counting about 12 servos with four in the body. I would like to know more about it. Plen website. A Plen video at robot-fan.

Wish there was a Robot store like that where I live!

2006-05-14T15:25:00.000-05:00

Check these pictures out. There on the robot dreams site. Maybe some day in the USA.

Question #8 about the Robonova kit?

2006-05-14T13:41:00.000-05:00

Correct alignment of the servo horns in both the legs and arms looks to be my next question. It looks like it makes sense. You align the numbers on the servo horns to the numbers on a clock. It looks like the legs will be harder than the arms. I will have to wait to the building process to see how hard it is to do.