Re: A2 Robot Project

[Ralph Glatt <mairsil@my-deja.com>]

In article <8hckd8$h3e$1@nnrp1.deja.com>,
  rich12345@my-deja.com wrote:
> In article <8hc367$5tv$1@nnrp1.deja.com>,
>   Ralph Glatt <mairsil@my-deja.com> wrote:
> > I am working on making a robot out of an Apple //+,
>
> Nifty!
>
> >and I could use all the
> > help I can get. I "might" be able to get a Focus Hard card for it,
> but I'm
> > not sure if the Prodos on it will work with the //+.
>
> Maybe earlier versions will.  A focus isn't necessary unless you are
> storing alot in your robot.  I use alot of disk space storing knock
> knock jokes and map data.  The robots controlling programs (navigation,
> etc) are very small in size.  I could probably burn an EPROM and use it
> instead.

I'm not sure I'll be able to get the Focus, anyway.

>
> >I was also thinking of
> > building some SCSI cards to handle the motors and such,
>
> That is going a bit too far.  If you want to make a SCSI board, put a
> cache on it and make it do DMA, and I'll  but a few from you.
>
> Parallel cards or serial cards do the trick, and you can do I/O with
> the gameport.  With a serial board you need extra chips to decode the
> signal.  With a parallel board, you can control 8 motors (just
> on/off).  With 4 outputs, you can control two motors (2 bits for on/off
> 2 bits for fwd/rev).

Cool. I thought they'd be easier, and cheaper, anyway.

>
> There are some good motor control boards available on the net.  I built
> my own.  You can use Relays but they consume more power.
>
> >but I think maybe it
> > would be easier and cheaper to use printer cards instead?
> >
>
> Yep.
>
> > If anyone can help, or point me in the right direction, I'd
> appreciate it.
>
> check mine out:
>
> http://rich12345.tripod.com
>
> I used a parallel card for I/O (with help from the game port to get
> more than 8 bits in/out.)

Really neat! I'll be in touch when I start rolling on it!

>
> Things to consider:  how will you power it?  battery+switching power
> supply.  It is a good place to get started.  Or you could have a cord
> running off the back of the bot.

I was thinking of a rechargable 12 volt power supply, maybe either a
motorcycle battery, or one for a riding mower, if they're not too heavy. I
was amazed when I saw your robot page. I didn't think voice recognition would
be possible with an Apple //e!! I was thinking of building mine along the
lines of R2D2, even though I do have a speech synthesizer program. How many
parallel printer cards should I be able to put on the //+? One should be
enought to deal with movement. I plan on having two motorized wheels, one
left, one right, and it would steer much like your robot does.

I'll keep in touch as I progress on my robot!! Thanks!!!


Ralph Glatt


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