Robot Learning: Thursday, February 8, 2007

To calibrate:
>Turn on robot
>Press and hold calibrate button on speed controller (Victor)
>Move joystick full forward, then full back
>Let go of the button
Volia!

Yeah...just for remembering purposes. We calibrated the real (big) robot to the two joysticks. Wasn't as hard as we thought it would be, with the whole turning the dials and all (which we didn't really need to do). Of course, we first had to alter the code to work with the big robot and two joysticks.

We also strapped the mini-bot onto the big bot with zip-ties so we can drive the big bot around without taking apart the mini-bot. (Yes, the robot controller and radio is secured on the mini-bot. It'd take too much effort to remove them only to put them back later.) The big bot can push! It would've been able to push Mr. Rupert in the crate if it had more weight.... We haven't put the ramps on yet, so no worries yet!

For programming, we got the mini-bot back and gathered data on what the human controller would do at differing locations so we can adapt that data as a basis for how the robot should make decisions. It's rather neat, really, spotting patterns in human decisions and using that to know what to do. Kind of like beating the system in other stuff.... Tomorrow we'll probably compile the data and stick it in code language.

This year...I've noticed that building and programming have interacted and conversed more. That makes me happy. Programming shouldn't be pushed aside...even though we are the Midnight Mechanics. Haha....

The Mini-ness!!: Friday, January 19, 2007

So, today programming worked with a minature (VEX) robot with the camera mounted on top. The battery, robot controller, and radio was duct taped on since we didn't have any available velcro. Oh well...the power of making double-sided tape!

We messed with the default program (keeping an original copy elsewhere) and got the joystick to control the camera movement. The wheels turned in opposite directions with the same commands so we looked into making them go the same with some math.

Hmm... 255 is max forward. 127 is nothing. 0 is max backward. So! We used an unsigned character to offset that scale and have the directions reversed. Kind of hard when negative numbers don't work.... I don't think we've gotten it working yet, but...close. We got the direction reversed, but both of the wheels aren't in sync.

Then, I had to leave for the bus. Darn it all! Time flies in Robotics. I'm going to look into staying after later next week so more things can get done.

By the by, I knew I'm no mechanic! (Kidding!) I tried drilling a screw into a block of wood for...something or other and the wood split. I guess I pressed too hard, but the last time I had the drill, I pressed too lightly and it slipped. But...the wood split for other people too (several times at that), so maybe it's not just me. Meh.

-Roozu (write that in Katakana and you'll get my name)

Zee Kamehra wurks!: Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Okay, so maybe I'm not the most meticulous blogger, but I'm going to try to be better from now on. I'm going to try--not promise. (And don't give me that Yoda quote either....) And yes, the title's supposed to be like that as opposed to "The Camera Works." I know how to spell. I just like mixing things up.

Today, programming's got the camera more or less working with LabView. Yeah! What took us a week or more last year got done in a day today. We also finished our green light (kudos to James for laying down the last pieces!) with duct tape and such.

Mr. Movellan brought us our own programming box! Yesss, no more stuff getting lost and other boxes pushing programming aside! :D It's big enough to fit all the pieces without taking all of the wires apart. (Hey, that takes time too, and the more time we have to work, the better.)

A few things I probably should put down here for possible future reference:
>To upload the parameters from file, the camera can't be taking in frames (i.e. searching)
>There is a 'run' command under one of the menus on top so it's not just in editing mode all the time

Hopefully it makes sense, but...better something than nothing? Lots of hope for this year (in programming, at least)!

Err, am I supposed to put my name after my posts? I mean, the posts ARE under my section thingy.... Oh well, just in case....

-Rose Cao

FLL's Second Research Meeting: Monday, October 16, 2006

Today was the second day of researching for the FLL team projects/presentations. I headed them since...programming's not really up and running yet, with the lack of robot and such. Anyhow, we all met and I asked each team's researchers/presenters to choose their narrowed topic on nanotechnology (from the research they did last time). Most of them didn't seem too happy, doing the "boring" (as they termed it) part of FLL, but I tried to get them motivated. Hey, there's no rule against being done early and helping out with the rest of the team, is there? :D They didn't seem to think it's fair to have to be stuck in research as opposed to switching out like last year....

Personally, I think they chose topics that are pretty interesting and varied, from medical to environmental applications. I had them get on the computers (despite the small number of working ones we have) and start their powerpoint and research for the information at goes on there. I found it's kind of hard to keep track of what was found on what website if they're just researching all over. Some of the URL's are too long to note down and...why make them write down the paper just to transfer that to the computer again? SO! Research while compiling the powerpoint. Of course, I told them to summarize and not plagiarize.... I was drifting from computer to computer, checking and they all look good (i.e. not just copying and pasting).

There was one student who just learned how to use (rather, what is) powerpoint today. I was surprised, but happy to show him. Wooo! Expansion of technological knowledge!!! That makes me wonder just how much people out there are exposed to technology. Do they all have at least one computer, like I imagine...? I know one of my friends doesn't have a computer at all. Makes me sad.

I want to teach these kids to get excited about knowledge, how to make an efficient powerpoint, and...how to present effectively! After all, there's going to be a lot of that in high school. Don't want them making the same mistakes I did! ^.~

First Communications Group meeting: Thursday, October 12, 2006

The Communications and Marketing Committee convened for the first time today. We're mostly media-oriented--getting the Midnight Mechanics out there and such. We cover ground including publications (i.e. brochures, pamphlets, newsletter), news contacts (to cover Robotics events and such), and publicity (signs, trinkets, etc.).

There weren't too many team members present today (they probably didn't know), but we still had a good-numbered group. We discussed what Communications and Marketing hopes to/should accomplish. Several of these things are:
>>Newsletter with more than just articles; have comics, spotlight/feature articles, and other varied things. It'll make our publication more interesting (hence, attracting more readers--maybe even subscribers)!!
>>Team mascot, flag, and shirts?! Possibly..."wrenchman" or "wrench dude," a glowing flag, and real mechanic shirts...?
>>Informational CDs would be nice to have along with all our papers. Maybe...music video of team working?
Of course, we'll only be going ahead with some of these ideas with consent of the team. Just brainstorming and previewing right now.

I realized that my anxiety leading up to this first meeting was unfounded. People are nice--especially team members. Talking about (and now writing down) goals and prospects made me feel better. There's just some magic in putting ideas out there that makes them so much more reachable. It'll take work to make the ideas happen, but the first step is beginning. I was glad to see enthusiastic people come to this committee, especially since it wasn't introduced too well (and isn't as self-explanatory as the others). Hmm...how did Lisa get such high turnouts the previous years...? Or maybe today's was a large turnout, given the members present. I'll have to do the math one day and see.

Cordially,
Rose Cao