Blogs

Some time ago, I had want to add legs to my test model (InMoov) in the IntegratedMovement (IM) service, but find out that something was lacking to work properly. By example, using the jMonkey simulator, when I make the right knee bent, it work fine and raise the foot. but if I also bent the left knee, it would raise the left foot and the robot will appear to be flying, wich is not even close of that will happen with the physical robot. So I need to find a way to make IM model act more in jMonkey to what a real robot will act. 

I am a bit annoyed by the recent change that broke the Integrated Movement service. In the past I was always take great care to not break anything that may used shared code. My code was maybe clobbering or misplaced, but was not affecting anything else. Now part of the code I used have been modified or removed and IM service is not working anymore.

What I was doing:

Software defined radio (aka SDR), is a way of automating tuning into Audio/Digital radio receptions.

I am using a very simple (un-nervingly sensitive) USB dongle type RTL-SDR.COM

(cost inclusive antenna & mount was < £25).

It was a nice trial run to get RoboJ into the woods.  Good thing, Robotics has put me into pretty great shape.  His suspension is so damn strong, I'm in awe as he took a real lickin and kept on ticking.   No head popping off, no broken fingers, nada.  Putting steel into the neck was a real charm, make him strong and free from harm :-)   I cannot believe the obstacles he took on, dragging a robo into the woods like a 'foolish moron'  Next time, we go, motos and steering will ease the go....

nVidia recently announced a whole line of system of a chip boards (similar to the raspi) that help showcase the nVidia GPU.  These boards are based on an ARM 64 bit CPU architecture and coupled with an nVidia GPU.  (The Nano has a 128 core maxwell GPU.)  It's got 4 GB of ram, and uses a standard microSD card for it's main system storage (by default.)

Here is an early look at a system I am putting together to prewarm me of any special/unusual aircraft that will be flying in my locality.

The system uses a few different protocols via the OpenSkyNetwork.

Just started printing out the head where I'll utilize a Maixduino, with stereoscopic eyes and a 6+1 mic platform, for its brains.

Further plan to use the Jetson Nano with its 132 cores as a master talking to the Maixduino and ESP32s (as remote local controllers).  One each ESP32 to control, hand/forearm(x2), Leg, Torso. 9DOF processor for stability, and air quality sensors.

Trying to build it so I don't have wires/cables hanging everywhere, all I have to do is route power.

I'm also thinking about an inductive charging system.

Here's kwatters Harry.py

He splits  the UI apart with undock in the script and uses the Servo mixer .. nifty !
I made undock and dock but never setPosition(x,y) or setSize(width, height) ...
Would be nice to have the new configuration auto-magically generate that script.