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Future of Javeline — Parallax Forums

Future of Javeline

Justin ShumakerJustin Shumaker Posts: 22
edited 2005-01-28 04:55 in General Discussion
Does anyone know where the future of the javeline is headed? Any idea when we might expect to see a second version? If so, might we get to see the co-processor built into the second version? Having the co-processor built into the next version along with a higher clock-rate would definetly merrit enough changes for a second release in my book. Thoughts?

- Justin

Comments

  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-01-16 19:20
    That is not likely to happen until we establish a much larger user base. Despite government efforts to push Java as a language, not as many people as we had hoped are adopting Java for embedded control.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
    Dallas, TX· USA
  • Justin ShumakerJustin Shumaker Posts: 22
    edited 2005-01-17 01:14
    Perhaps you should think of a clever way to get the javelin featured on slashdot? That would surely boost sales.

    - Justin
  • SkankPileSkankPile Posts: 15
    edited 2005-01-19 18:45
    I've neve used a stamp before.. so I bought the java stamp..

    I figure if going to use a stamp.. I may as well not have to learn a new language..

    and anyway.. this javelin rocks.. My only hold back was that the other stamps are cheaper, but.. like I say.. the javelin rocks..

    I did in 1 hour of programming (never used javelin before) what would have taken me days to build circuits for.. so I'm a happy customer and telling everybody I know about the thing.. and most of them are java programmers anyway..
  • DonnyDonny Posts: 1
    edited 2005-01-19 19:38
    I know you guys are going to hate me for this but what about using vb.net.
    Its the biggest user base and easiest to read.
    I don't know how hard that would be to implement legal wise and tech wise but you
    would instantly have a huge user base.
  • Justin ShumakerJustin Shumaker Posts: 22
    edited 2005-01-21 02:34
    I think the whole point behind doing the javelin was its cost effectiveness. Parallax is using the "jikes" compiler which is free at no cost. The Ubicom SX48AC is really cheap microprocessor that can be bought very cheap in large quantities. So, all that needed to be done for the javeline was to create minimal java framework and fabricate or outsource a java bytecode to Ubicom SX48AC op code translation IC. That was the bulk of the work for the project. Interface the extra memory and designing the IC is not terribly difficult. This is far more easy to implement than say ... write a java compiler that outputs straight to native Ubicom SX48AC micro instructions with native optimizations. So, that's effectively what would need to be done to make a ".net" language interface with this product. Alternatively, you could try and write or hunt down somone that has a ".net" to java bytecode translator.
  • SingularitySingularity Posts: 5
    edited 2005-01-22 23:09
    The government's track record on language adoption is not a positive one. Anyone from around the late 1980's to 1995 can remember ADA. It was enough to make any scientific programmer of the time start drinking, considering all of the powerful efficient options of the time.

    That said I believe that embedded JAVA has a future but execution speed is always a big issue in real time systems.


    I think that it is a matter of time before there is more growth. During the time that you were releasing the Javelin there was an incredible marketing push for .NET and C# as an alternative to Java. I think that the pendulum is swinging a little closer to center now.

    Parallax -Don't throw in the Javelin + towel yet. You may not like some of the topics in some of the threads but look at the positive. Topics regardless of orientation are a indication of interest. It seems to me that there is more interest in this microcontroller of late.

    Post Edited (Singularity) : 1/22/2005 11:11:50 PM GMT
  • Jon KeinathJon Keinath Posts: 146
    edited 2005-01-23 04:14
    I would just like to say that I really like my javelin, and here is a picture of my current project that it is being used on..

    Jbot2.jpg
  • ChrisBChrisB Posts: 19
    edited 2005-01-24 17:02
    What do you have going on there?
  • Jon KeinathJon Keinath Posts: 146
    edited 2005-01-26 03:03
    It's what I call my JavaBot, it's a 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steer platform. It uses the PSC to control all 8 servos (which are HS-322HD, 4 of which are modified for CR).

    It doesn't yet have any navigation, I'm currently deciding whether I should use IR, a sonic range finder, or both. Right now I just drive it around with the debug terminal.

    I did have it programmed to "follow the light" (where it would turn around in circles until it found the light, then drive toward it)

    While trying to decide whether to go IR or Sonic, I'm attempting to improve its "follow the light" capabilities by adding another light sensor, but it's being quite difficult. The RCTime function is giving me very different results for both sensors, and thus making it hard to create a proper control algorithm.

    I'll post more as I add more stuff to it .
    Here is an earlier pic...

    jbot.jpg

    -Jon
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-26 14:08
    Could you do a carrot/donkey thing for navigation?

    Get one of the compass appmods (or ICs) and mount it to a stepper/servo on the top of the platform.· Have a boom going over the edge with a light source.· When you want to go in a particular direction, have the boom arm swing there and with the bot in spinning mode (hunting for light) then move the boom to keep in that direction...then when it finds the light, the bot moves that way, and you can steer with the light source.

    Sorry, early morning, no coffee!!· And saw a cartoon in the paper with a donkey cart and the guy holding the carrott out in front of the donkey!· Thought it'd be funny!

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • Jon KeinathJon Keinath Posts: 146
    edited 2005-01-28 02:13
    Ok, so I played a round with the light sensors some more, and I got it working...

    I have posted a flash video of it on my website. You can check it out at JonKeinath.com

    Tell me what you think!
  • ChrisBChrisB Posts: 19
    edited 2005-01-28 03:59
    foru stearable wheels! That's funky!

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  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2005-01-28 04:55
    That's how they do it on the Mars rovers!

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
    Dallas, TX· USA
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