RoboThespian and the Prop

Agent420

So I guess the RoboThespian (http://www.parallax.com/tabid/773/Default.aspx) isn't new news, but I just caught it from a Hackaday post...

Anyway, it strikes me odd that in the Parallax interview, the designers praise the Propeller

Will Jackson said...
The cost to performance ratio is incredible. We were also impressed by Chip Gracey's design approach to Propeller - We trust the silicon because we know the dedication and passion that went into the design of it.

But on the main company website (http://www.robothespian.com/technology/system.html), while they identify the other processors by architecture, they only refer to the Prop as "multicore embedded processors"

RoboThespian said...
[*]Integrated single board computer with 1.6 GHz Atom Processor, 32Gb SSD for motion storage and control software. [*]2 800mhz Arm 9 processors for eye screen and RGB face colour control. [*]Head mounted camera – with streaming images for remote view. [*]Integrated 20W high quality audio amp – balanced line out option available. [*]5 multicore embedded processors for motion and air valve control.

I'm just curious if somehow the implied thought may be that the Parallax or Propeller labels are more 'hobbiest' than·'professional', so they use the generic description·?· Seems a bit odd.·· Maybe potential consumers would not identify a near $84,000 price tag with a cousin of the Basic Stamp?

Obviously, the 'multicore' term is a selling point, but why not identify the manufacturer of this unique chip?



edit - on a different note, this project seems to be a good example of fusing the unique strengths of different architectures together, rather than attempt to have any one chip try to do it all.

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Post Edited (Agent420) : 2/26/2010 12:25:25 PM GMT

Graham Stabler

I doubt it crossed their minds, probably just an oversight, I also doubt the typical buyer knows an ARM from their elbow.

The only time I sometimes don't mention the propeller by name is when talking to aerospace people, it can get very confusing. Last year we did some experiments using a propeller controlled by a propeller.

Graham

Agent420

While the buyers may not understand all of the hardware involved, projects of this type and magnitude obviously garner interest from those like ourselves who do understand.· And it makes great pr.

No doubt they felt compelled to detail these components to some degree, or they would not have gone to the level they did (mentioning all the different hardware rather than dumbed-down descriptions for the consumers you refer to).

Perhaps it is an oversight, but it still seems a bit strange.

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