July 2001 Meeting Pictures
- mvc-464s.jpg (31845 bytes) - A gift from ERIM, a SpARC mobile robot. SpARC stands for Space Automation & Robotics Center. The base has 3 driven wheels that are steered independant of the orientation of the base. On top is a turret that contains 6 ultrasonic range detectors, status panels, and an Arlan-130 wireless data link.
- mvc-465s.jpg (32252 bytes) - A front view of SpARC. Showing are the two ultrasonic sensors (top corners) and a homing sensor (top center). The big hole (just to the left of the SpARC lable) is where the SpARC plugs itself into the recharge station to get its batteries recharged.
- mvc-466s.jpg (30338 bytes) - A closeup of the homing sensor and battery recharge connector. Note the connector is just a big hole with two large flexible plates for the positive and negative contacts.
- mvc-467s.jpg (31065 bytes) - The status panel on the base of the robot. Also seen are one of the 3 emergency stop buttons.
- mvc-468s.jpg (37487 bytes) - The SpARC robot weighs in at 350 POUNDS and can carry a payload of 500 POUNDS. Maximum speed is 2.0 FEET/SECOND.
- mvc-470s.jpg (32932 bytes) - The turret has a pull-out drawer with a circuit board cage containing processing for the ultrasonics.
- mvc-471s.jpg (42123 bytes) - The telescoping arm was a prototype used on the Viking spacecraft.
- mvc-472s.jpg (28490 bytes) - The storage record on the telescoping arm. Note the way they spelled Marshin...
- mvc-473s.jpg (44330 bytes) - Keith's Jeepers robot chassis.
- mvc-474s.jpg (32441 bytes) - Lewis had a demo of two different ultrasonic ranging systems. One with an IRODS (Infra Red Object Detection System) and the other with Ultrasonic Rangefinders.
- mvc-475s.jpg (26123 bytes) - A closeup of the IRODS and Ultrasonic systems.
- mvc-476s.jpg (33923 bytes) - The WINNING BOT owned by Dave.
- mvc-477s.jpg (46457 bytes) - Inside the base of the SpARC robot. Note the 12-volt batteries (the black one was scabbed in by Erik to replace a bad one) and the big grey one standing upright on its end.
- mvc-478s.jpg (47766 bytes) - The motor controller package. This controls the 3 drive motors and the turret motor (the turret and the wheels track together).
- mvc-479s.jpg (54165 bytes) - More of the motor controller. Pass transistors are on the top board and the Z80 CPU is on the lower board.
- mvc-480s.jpg (29485 bytes) - The remote control panel (Joystick & Link Arbitrator). The grey box behind it is one of the Arlan-130 R.F. link transceivers.
- mvc-481s.jpg (23827 bytes) - Buttons and lights on the JA-1.
- mvc-482s.jpg (21577 bytes) - Joystick on the JA-1.
- mvc-483s.jpg (45914 bytes) - Another view of the robot base. The two sealed lead-acid batteries are rated at 65 Amp/Hours at 12-volts. Note the Turret and Steering motor protruding out the side of the center column.
- mvc-484s.jpg (32002 bytes) - The SpARC logo...
