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Rwi B12 robot — Parallax Forums

Rwi B12 robot

DavidNymanDavidNyman Posts: 52
edited 2010-11-07 09:24 in General Discussion
Hey out there,
I've got an RWI B12B explorer base robot that I'd like to sell or trade. I've had it several years and I paid about 1k for it when I got it.
It's still functional with the original RWI electronics and I've got the charger and a joystick for it. You may have to make up a simple 2 conductor cable to charge the robot. I've lost the cable I received with it.
I can email any pictures needed.
Anyone interested just make an offer.
Thanks.

Comments

  • RobotWorkshopRobotWorkshop Posts: 2,307
    edited 2010-10-17 16:01
    Can you post some pictures? I also sent a PM with my e-mail.

    Robert
  • DavidNymanDavidNyman Posts: 52
    edited 2010-10-17 19:50
    Sorry about the poor photos. Iphones are great until you actually have to use them.

    The batteries still hold a charge. I can drive it around via the joystick. It turns very slow so I think one of the drives isn't programmed properly. Unit is in good condition and the wheels aren't cracked or abused.

    Thanks.
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  • logan996logan996 Posts: 281
    edited 2010-10-19 17:57
    yikes! sounds awesome but wow! what are you expecting to get?
  • DavidNymanDavidNyman Posts: 52
    edited 2010-10-19 20:18
    I'd like to get $1k but I know the economy is soft so I'll consider offers or an interesting trade. The robot is rare and was fairly expensive when it was new. I believe they sold to universities and the like for around $6k just for the base.
    I thought about removing all the electronics and installing Parallax goodies to bring the robot up to date. I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,260
    edited 2010-10-21 01:23
    Very interesting! So that's a 3 or 4-wheeled all wheel drive, all wheel steering chassis? A clear underside shot (far from that wood/iron/glass table!) would help. And can you please describe the built-in electronics? Thank you.
  • DavidNymanDavidNyman Posts: 52
    edited 2010-10-21 18:50
    Here are some more pictures. Thanks to everyone who has shown interest.
    Below is some info I found in an old copy of Robot Explorer newsletter.
    The B12B Explorer can support 40 lbs of additional experimental equipment. The robot is a three wheeled rigid suspension platform with synchronous drive. This means all three wheels drive and steer simultaneously, thus producing a robot platform which can literally turn on a dime.
    Synchronous drives provide a much higher degree of positional control than standard transports. Synchronous drive platform can move in any direction at any time.
    The top plate is mounted over the drive mechanics and synchronized with the wheels. The plate simultaneously changes direction with the wheels allowing any electronics mounted on the top plate to always face the direction of travel.
    The B12 contains an NEC 78310 processor which frees the host computer from the tasks of managing the base movements. Using a pulse width modulated signal with feedback from optical shaft encoders the NEC monitors the drive and steering motors. It also monitors the battery voltage as well as the motor current.
    The robot was made by RWI Real World Interface. I believe mine is a later model coming from the early 90's just before production was stopped on them.
    My unit has the "bump" panels with micro switches under each panel to detect obstacles. Mine also has the enclosed gearing on each wheel. Early models had the gearing exposed.
    I hope this info helps.
    Thanks.
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  • ercoerco Posts: 20,260
    edited 2010-10-22 12:44
    Great pics of a very interesting robot. I have never seen this one before. I do remember Cybermation's syncro-drive robot, the K2A:

    http://www.theoldrobots.com/Kludge.html and http://www.clemson.edu/ces/crb/labs/RoboticsLab/k2a.html (no pics from what I saw)

    I would love to experiment with that drive system. Sadly, I have no time or space for another big project like that. But I'm sure you are tempting others. You may want to post your location so that anyone interested nearby could check it out and save shipping costs.
  • DavidNymanDavidNyman Posts: 52
    edited 2010-10-23 08:42
    Erco,
    Thanks for the info. I'll keep that in mind.
    I followed the link for the robot collection. What an interesting collection! Looks like that fellow has been collecting for quite some time.

    I may be mistaken but I believe RWI who made the B12, B14 and B21 series robots eventually evolved into iRobot..... I think.
  • loovaxloovax Posts: 13
    edited 2010-10-26 05:02
    DavidNyman wrote: »
    I may be mistaken but I believe RWI who made the B12, B14 and B21 series robots eventually evolved into iRobot..... I think.

    You are correct. The only reason I remember this is from seeing the "Valerie" Roboceptionist at CM. It was labeled as an RWI/iRobot B21r.

    http://www.sellner.org/brennan/projects.html#robocept


    looVax
  • DavidNymanDavidNyman Posts: 52
    edited 2010-11-07 09:24
    I've never actually seen the B21 version beyond pictures. It looks pretty interesting.
    '
    (main objective)
    To anyone interested in this robot. I would consider a trade for a 532nm laser of equal value.

    Thanks.
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