How about a slip ring sensor base. A ping or ir sensor or whatever could be mounted to it and rotated 360 degrees infinitely. With an optional encoder feedback for precise positioning.
My vote for;
1) Holly's boardhouse suggestion. But with a tweek. Standardized predesigned options you can select to have wired in as well as your custom area. This would allow for a "base" prop section (usual stuff of eeprom, Prop, Xtal, FTL232, uUSB connector). But then allow to select other "known to work" design items like A-D, Touch screens, etc. that would simply "wire to pin" so selecting the item on your board you pick the Prop pins and they do the wiring (idiot proofing). And with submission of your own circuit/items, or optional proto areas. This would allow for fast product quality proto-typing. Without folks having to struggle with PCB layouts/PCB house issues. etc. Having known set working modules would give folks the confidence that they then just have to code it. Having standard board sizes that fit commerical quality cases would be a very big selling point for custom solutions. Make rapid proto-typing to a reliable solution. Likely to be a market in this community.
2) I2C Ping sensor - this opens the popular Ultrasonic Ping to a broader market.
3) Prop Camera. How many times do people try to do this in the forum. Build it as a sensor, maybe I2C I/F or something for standard. Like most of us, I'd buy one or more (price dependent).
4) Ballance Bot kit - certainly expands the robotics market.
4) Propper Prop based Biped "Prop-Man" like the full Japanese servo with head, arms, legs. Based on 1 or more Propeller chips (as there is no Prop I-B), using the gyro for ballance and a LiPO cell (with supporting circuitry). Giving it "stitch points" allow for kids to accesorize it with clothing/bear suits/etc. Maybe making it fit a standard baby size of 00000 may increase the likelihood of a ready to go suit. The "super toy" bear out of A1 style of platform can't be that far off (appart from not needing to recharge and havig AI). Having the HW, servo's etc driven from a Prop, with options for heads/face. Using wav code for voice etc. Lot's of opportunity as a kid toy development platform. It could be a talking bear, doll, or even "Major Chip Hazard reporting for duty" ;-)
5) Android Android Android! Absolutely. Build something like the IOIOIO with the Prop plus sample communicatons code at both sides (Android & Prop). One Wireless Version, One wired. This would open the whole handheld market to Prop applicatons as a display/Interface/Control. This brings the Prop into the 21st century (rather than Serial LCDs/Composite Video/VGA). I'd say Android as Apple SDK is too expensive for the causal Prop user to be interested, where Android is free, plus lot's of Android based handhelds from multiple vendors give great pricing competition.
6) Parallax BallBot - why not? Just a ball, 2 servos, and a Gyro. (not that simple ;-)
Personally I'd like to see MORE sensors. I love the Parallax has so many and regularly drool at the list. Though an O2 sensor would be nice (you can get cheapish automotive ones). Parallax as the one stop shop for sensors would be cool!. Weather related would be nice. Also there have been a number of aquarium based sensor discussion that may yeild some nice products. Potentially they could partner with existing suppliers and provide the interface.
Another sensor product would be an I2C intefaces for each of the current sensor range, making a simple consistent connection across the range. ie. C02 sensor with I2C I/F board.
Calibration notes on sensors would be good :-) (I'd love a CO sensor for my house that I could tell how badly I'm poisonig the family over winter and build that into a Home Control to flush in fresh air to keep it below a set point, but with no calibration you don't know how much)
My one wish is for a quality Catapillar track solution. There are a lot of rubbish ones in kits, but none that I'd put on a robot to roam the rest of it's life in the garden. I've been looking at the IROBOT spares site, and have been very tempted. Maybe partnering with them for a hobby level kit that would have a simple base, motors, h-bridge, wheels and tracks would be sufficient. Alternatively I've been looking at toy stores at modifying quality kid toy tracks - there are some nice TONKA range - UV stabalized plastic, or RC track solutions - not garden quality. Maybe Ken's next visit to China he could ask around. Or maybe partnering with Tonka as they aready have the manufacturing down, would just need some additional parts to connect them to a gear head motor. It would need to be reasonable size (or have couple of sizes) to allow for real payloads / solar panels to charge batteries, etc. I'm sure someone would make them. If they were quality you'd have a market.
I would like to re-iterate that an "animatronic wires kit" would be very valuable for creating life-like robotic movement.
Please consider offering a kit.
I would like to re-iterate that an "animatronic wires kit" would be very valuable for creating life-like robotic movement.
Please consider offering a kit.
Creepy..... But totally awesome! +1 for the animatronic wires!
1.) A track kit for the Quadrover, sort of like the cheap kind that go over the tires like Bobcat uses.
2.) An LP option for the Quadrover for use in warehouses.
3.) An AVG based off the Quadrover
4.) An electric option for the Quadrover for when the EPA doesn't think the emissions are low enough for IC powered indoor vehicles.
I used to repair LP powered equipment so building a fuel system for it wouldn't be much of a problem, if some one could donate one.
-dan
1.) A track kit for the Quadrover, sort of like the cheap kind that go over the tires like Bobcat uses.
2.) An LP option for the Quadrover for use in warehouses.
3.) An AVG based off the Quadrover
4.) An electric option for the Quadrover for when the EPA doesn't think the emissions are low enough for IC powered indoor vehicles.
I used to repair LP powered equipment so building a fuel system for it wouldn't be much of a problem, if some one could donate one.
-dan
Here's a suggestion, though I don't know if it counts. If not, I still think it would be awesome.
You guys should make an iPhone/iPad/Android app! You could have the main website, forums and parallax semiconductor all in one handy, convenient place! You could even have lists of objects from the OBEX!
P.S. Thanks for telling me how to do this, Matt! :frown::cool::nerd::blank::thumb:
My project idea is that you create a Propeller kit like the Snap Circuits. Radio Shack seems to be afraid of offering other kits that you solder before they started selling Velleman because they seemed to be afraid to sell products that anyone could get hurt from. You might as well start the kids when they are young.
My project idea is that you create a Propeller kit like the Snap Circuits. Radio Shack seems to be afraid of offering other kits that you solder before they started selling Velleman because they seemed to be afraid to sell products that anyone could get hurt from. You might as well start the kids when they are young.
Perhaps to save development costs Parallax could hold development competitions for the items they plan to proceed with. This could allow the community to contribute design concepts into the solution to the problem. Parallax could then choose the best of all solutions into the final product. Judging could be based on a number of attributes, for example; eligance of solution, simplicity, manufacturability, and quality of supporting documentation (providing a product template example may improve the likelihood of ending up with something useful). For example an entry that is simple in design, low cost to manufacture, well documented clean SW with usable documentation suitable for the final product would be the likely winner. Most likely short collaborative competitions in solving specific products would deliver the most cost effective outcome. This has the potential to produce an end user perspective of products while yielding design potential and possible saliable solution.
How about a full qwerty keyboard, except one that is really small, like on smartphones. They would be great for portable projects and would be a great new innovation for remote controlling/remote programming.
(1) A Parallax Brick, no joke! for the Parallax Education Department.
A solid brick version modeled after the Quick Start, the Board of Education, or a Professional Development Board without a breadboard. A Brick would use an encapsulated lithium ion battery, and be stacked charged. Similar to the pagers you receive at a restaurant when there is a long wait. The Brick would use a pair of small vertical wedges on sides to hang multiple standard bread boards on each side. The Brick would naturally have 20 or more connections per side for hook-up wires. And it would be very possible to have 2 Bricks and 3 bread boards, or any combination of specific purpose Bricks and bread boards.
The Brick would have no external parts. A small enclosed usb port for programming and data acquisition. The Brick is based on the idea that breadboards are abused or they wear out. Exposed circuit boards, and microprocessors can be damaged by misuse, wear & tear, etc. But, a Parallax Brick could be dropped or thrown across a room and not damaged. Imagine what a sales tool that would be. Show the prospective buyer the Brick, then without telling him/her, throw it across the room as hard as you can.
Be sure to keep throwing the same Brick each time, the more beat up it looks, the better it will sell . You could charge more for that feature too! And be sure Parallax is printed in large block letters in clear sight, the more beat up it looks, the better it will sell.
Heather Knight is a social roboticist. Her work also includes: robotics and instrumentation at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, interactive installations with Syyn Labs, field applications and sensor design at Aldebaran Robotics, and she is an alumnus from the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab. She earned her bachelor and masters degrees at MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and has a minor in Mechanical Engineering.
I got here late and haven't read all the suggestions and I don't have a new idea for a contest. But I like the first idea presented by erco and seconded a couple times. A sun tracking device for solar panels would be really useful. I think just a pan and tilt controller with some code similar to a tracking telescope would allow people to build their own platform for whatever size solar panels they have. The tracking telescopes don't use any sensors. You need to enter GPS coordinates, time, and point it at a couple objects for orientation.
Also, I like Bean's idea for an MPPT charge controller and maybe it could be combined with the tracking device.
Way too many ideas to make any *snap* decisions about who wins. I've only started to compile all these into a cohesive list, and it ain't gonna get done today
So sorry! Plus this is our FY end (this week) - and everybody here is enlisted into multiple tasks to make sure everything is Perfectly Square ($, Inventory, Machine Maintenance, Spit and Polish - you name it, it happens all this week.
We'll do what we can, but we don't want to miss anything here...
Once again, you'all blow us away...What a GREAT COMMUNITY YOU ARE!!!
Another delay. Maybe I should peddle my BS1-powered antimatter antigravity hyperdrive to SERVO magazine, where it will be sandwiched in between Arduino articles?
Way too many ideas to make any *snap* decisions about who wins. I've only started to compile all these into a cohesive list, and it ain't gonna get done today
So sorry! Plus this is our FY end (this week) - and everybody here is enlisted into multiple tasks to make sure everything is Perfectly Square ($, Inventory, Machine Maintenance, Spit and Polish - you name it, it happens all this week.
We'll do what we can, but we don't want to miss anything here...
Once again, you'all blow us away...What a GREAT COMMUNITY YOU ARE!!!
-Matt
So when are the the winners going to be announced? If you have a tentative date...
Hey all-
I'm told that Final decision will be announced on Wednesay @ 10am Parallax Time - barring any unforseen glitches in our decision making process.
Comments
My vote for;
1) Holly's boardhouse suggestion. But with a tweek. Standardized predesigned options you can select to have wired in as well as your custom area. This would allow for a "base" prop section (usual stuff of eeprom, Prop, Xtal, FTL232, uUSB connector). But then allow to select other "known to work" design items like A-D, Touch screens, etc. that would simply "wire to pin" so selecting the item on your board you pick the Prop pins and they do the wiring (idiot proofing). And with submission of your own circuit/items, or optional proto areas. This would allow for fast product quality proto-typing. Without folks having to struggle with PCB layouts/PCB house issues. etc. Having known set working modules would give folks the confidence that they then just have to code it. Having standard board sizes that fit commerical quality cases would be a very big selling point for custom solutions. Make rapid proto-typing to a reliable solution. Likely to be a market in this community.
2) I2C Ping sensor - this opens the popular Ultrasonic Ping to a broader market.
3) Prop Camera. How many times do people try to do this in the forum. Build it as a sensor, maybe I2C I/F or something for standard. Like most of us, I'd buy one or more (price dependent).
4) Ballance Bot kit - certainly expands the robotics market.
4) Propper Prop based Biped "Prop-Man" like the full Japanese servo with head, arms, legs. Based on 1 or more Propeller chips (as there is no Prop I-B), using the gyro for ballance and a LiPO cell (with supporting circuitry). Giving it "stitch points" allow for kids to accesorize it with clothing/bear suits/etc. Maybe making it fit a standard baby size of 00000 may increase the likelihood of a ready to go suit. The "super toy" bear out of A1 style of platform can't be that far off (appart from not needing to recharge and havig AI). Having the HW, servo's etc driven from a Prop, with options for heads/face. Using wav code for voice etc. Lot's of opportunity as a kid toy development platform. It could be a talking bear, doll, or even "Major Chip Hazard reporting for duty" ;-)
5) Android Android Android! Absolutely. Build something like the IOIOIO with the Prop plus sample communicatons code at both sides (Android & Prop). One Wireless Version, One wired. This would open the whole handheld market to Prop applicatons as a display/Interface/Control. This brings the Prop into the 21st century (rather than Serial LCDs/Composite Video/VGA). I'd say Android as Apple SDK is too expensive for the causal Prop user to be interested, where Android is free, plus lot's of Android based handhelds from multiple vendors give great pricing competition.
6) Parallax BallBot - why not? Just a ball, 2 servos, and a Gyro. (not that simple ;-)
Personally I'd like to see MORE sensors. I love the Parallax has so many and regularly drool at the list. Though an O2 sensor would be nice (you can get cheapish automotive ones). Parallax as the one stop shop for sensors would be cool!. Weather related would be nice. Also there have been a number of aquarium based sensor discussion that may yeild some nice products. Potentially they could partner with existing suppliers and provide the interface.
Another sensor product would be an I2C intefaces for each of the current sensor range, making a simple consistent connection across the range. ie. C02 sensor with I2C I/F board.
Calibration notes on sensors would be good :-) (I'd love a CO sensor for my house that I could tell how badly I'm poisonig the family over winter and build that into a Home Control to flush in fresh air to keep it below a set point, but with no calibration you don't know how much)
My one wish is for a quality Catapillar track solution. There are a lot of rubbish ones in kits, but none that I'd put on a robot to roam the rest of it's life in the garden. I've been looking at the IROBOT spares site, and have been very tempted. Maybe partnering with them for a hobby level kit that would have a simple base, motors, h-bridge, wheels and tracks would be sufficient. Alternatively I've been looking at toy stores at modifying quality kid toy tracks - there are some nice TONKA range - UV stabalized plastic, or RC track solutions - not garden quality. Maybe Ken's next visit to China he could ask around. Or maybe partnering with Tonka as they aready have the manufacturing down, would just need some additional parts to connect them to a gear head motor. It would need to be reasonable size (or have couple of sizes) to allow for real payloads / solar panels to charge batteries, etc. I'm sure someone would make them. If they were quality you'd have a market.
Make a robot called the Ballance (yes, with two Ls) and have it a balance on a ball (like his 6th idea).
P.S. Pretty much the only reason I am posting this is to give it a name.
Please consider offering a kit.
Creepy..... But totally awesome! +1 for the animatronic wires!
2.) An LP option for the Quadrover for use in warehouses.
3.) An AVG based off the Quadrover
4.) An electric option for the Quadrover for when the EPA doesn't think the emissions are low enough for IC powered indoor vehicles.
I used to repair LP powered equipment so building a fuel system for it wouldn't be much of a problem, if some one could donate one.
-dan
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?128772-PKS-(Propeller-Keychain-System)-Now-shipping!&highlight=keychain
Something tells me that you like the quadrover.
You guys should make an iPhone/iPad/Android app! You could have the main website, forums and parallax semiconductor all in one handy, convenient place! You could even have lists of objects from the OBEX!
P.S. Thanks for telling me how to do this, Matt!
That's a good idea! I second that!
How about a full qwerty keyboard, except one that is really small, like on smartphones. They would be great for portable projects and would be a great new innovation for remote controlling/remote programming.
A solid brick version modeled after the Quick Start, the Board of Education, or a Professional Development Board without a breadboard. A Brick would use an encapsulated lithium ion battery, and be stacked charged. Similar to the pagers you receive at a restaurant when there is a long wait. The Brick would use a pair of small vertical wedges on sides to hang multiple standard bread boards on each side. The Brick would naturally have 20 or more connections per side for hook-up wires. And it would be very possible to have 2 Bricks and 3 bread boards, or any combination of specific purpose Bricks and bread boards.
The Brick would have no external parts. A small enclosed usb port for programming and data acquisition. The Brick is based on the idea that breadboards are abused or they wear out. Exposed circuit boards, and microprocessors can be damaged by misuse, wear & tear, etc. But, a Parallax Brick could be dropped or thrown across a room and not damaged. Imagine what a sales tool that would be. Show the prospective buyer the Brick, then without telling him/her, throw it across the room as hard as you can.
Be sure to keep throwing the same Brick each time, the more beat up it looks, the better it will sell
(2) A latching hall effect sensor.
Bill M.
Oops, someone beat me to it: http://www.marilynmonrobot.com/ Check her 'Projects' page.
http://www.designnews.com/document.asp?doc_id=230720&
Heather Knight is a social roboticist. Her work also includes: robotics and instrumentation at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, interactive installations with Syyn Labs, field applications and sensor design at Aldebaran Robotics, and she is an alumnus from the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab. She earned her bachelor and masters degrees at MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and has a minor in Mechanical Engineering.
Plus, she's easy on the eyes. I mean servomotors.
She has a good TED talk on that too: http://www.ted.com/talks/heather_knight_silicon_based_comedy.html
Also, I like Bean's idea for an MPPT charge controller and maybe it could be combined with the tracking device.
Way too many ideas to make any *snap* decisions about who wins. I've only started to compile all these into a cohesive list, and it ain't gonna get done today
So sorry! Plus this is our FY end (this week) - and everybody here is enlisted into multiple tasks to make sure everything is Perfectly Square ($, Inventory, Machine Maintenance, Spit and Polish - you name it, it happens all this week.
We'll do what we can, but we don't want to miss anything here...
Once again, you'all blow us away...What a GREAT COMMUNITY YOU ARE!!!
-Matt
The board should contain:
Current set by user placed resistors
8 - sensor inputs
Power Terminal for up to 52VDC for the full bridges
So when are the the winners going to be announced? If you have a tentative date...
I'm told that Final decision will be announced on Wednesay @ 10am Parallax Time - barring any unforseen glitches in our decision making process.
-Matt
OBC
I resemble that remark!
-Matt
It's actually PDT, Parallax Daylight Time :-)