HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: doug@cc.gatech.edu (Doug MacKenzie)
Subject: Re: Flying robot competition?
Reply-To: doug@cc.gatech.edu (Doug MacKenzie)
Organization: College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 19:35:46 GMT

The competition is sponsored by the Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle Society,
AUVS.  This will be the 3rd competition this June.  It will be held
in the Georgia Tech football stadium.  Rob Michelson at (404) 528-7568
is running it.  Last year an intent to participate needed to be filed
by mid December.

You can contact Mark Gordan (ae211ma@prism.gatech.edu).
He is heading the Georgia Tech team this year.


			Doug

*****************************************************
Douglas C. MacKenzie               doug@cc.gatech.edu
Ph.D. Research Assistant in the Mobile Robotics Lab.
College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0280
Lab phone: (404)-894-9311         Fax: (404)-853-9378

*****************************************************
Douglas C. MacKenzie               doug@cc.gatech.edu
Ph.D. Research Assistant in the Mobile Robotics Lab.
College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0280
Lab phone: (404)-894-9311         Fax: (404)-853-9378
From: hager-greg@cs.yale.edu (Gregory D. Hager)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: AI Faculty Position at Yale University
Date: 11 Nov 1992 17:58:36 -0500
Organization: Yale University Computer Science Dept., New Haven, CT 06520-2158
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: andorra.ai.cs.yale.edu
Keywords: jobs, jobs, jobs



The following general ad will be appearing soon.  In particular, our AI group would like to 
find a robotics/vision candidate.


_____________________________________


                              YALE UNIVERSITY
                       DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE



We expect to have one or more junior faculty positions available for the
1993-94 academic year.  We are particularly interested in applicants in
the areas of artificial intelligence, theoretical computer science,
numerical analysis, and programming languages and systems.  Applications
should be submitted before April 30, 1993,

Duties will include teaching graduate and undergraduate courses.
Applicants are expected to engage in a vigorous research program.

Candidates should hold a Ph.D. in computer science or related discipline.

Qualified women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.  Yale
is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Send vitae and names of three references to: Faculty Recruiting Committee,
Department of Computer Science, Yale University, P.O. Box 2158, Yale
Station, New Haven, CT  06520.


Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: poussart@gel.ulaval.ca (Denis Poussart)
Subject: fingerprint acquisition
Keywords: fingerprint
Reply-To: poussart@gel.ulaval.ca
Organization: Dept. Genie Electrique, Universite Laval
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 16:12:15 GMT

We are looking for pointers to the acquisition of fingerprints by direct imaging
not requiring the use of ink. 



---
Denis Poussart						phone: 	(418) 656-3554
Computer Vision and Digital Systems Laboratory		fax: 	(418) 656-3594
Department of Electrical Engineering 			e-mail: poussart@gel.ulaval.ca
Laval University, Quebec (Quebec) CANADA G1K 7P4
From: klambrec@gmuvax.gmu.edu
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Autofocus, Ultrasonic Sensors
Date: 4 Nov 92 23:17:19 GMT
Organization: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.

Polaroid uses an ultrasonic transducer in their instamatic cameras.  The
Specs are as follows:

Distance Range:				0.26 to 10.7m (0.9-35 ft)
Resolution:				1% over entire range, 3mm up to 3m
Beam Angle: 				12 degrees (typical, at 3dB down)
Transducer Drive Signal -
   Gated Sine Wave			50kHz
   Duration				1.1 ms
   Suggested Drive Voltage (peak)   	150v
   Bias Level				150vdc
   Maximum Drive Voltage (ned) 	400v
Min transmitting sensitivity at 50kHz	110dB
Min receiving sensitivity at 50kHz	-42dB
Power Requirements
   Voltage				4.8-6.8vDC
   Current				2.5A (1ms pulse)
					150mA (Quiescent)
Weight					
   Transducer				8.2gm
   Modules				18.4gm

Dimensions
   Thickness				0.46 in.
   Diameter				1.69 in.


The more expensive autofocus mechanisms actually focus the camera instead
of just deciding how far away the subject is.  They do this by measuring
the intensity of the focused beam in 3 tightly spaced planes:

				|  |  |
				|  |  |	
				|  |  |

if the camera is focused properly,  the intensity of the light on the center
plane is greater than the 2 surrounding planes.  Play with a magnifying glass
for a while, you'll figure it out.

If anyone is interested in ultrasonic transducers, Polariod does sell them.
Polaroid offers 2 kits, The following is a quote from their brochure:

	The Designer's Kit.  to help~r you explore the fascinating poten
	of this unique product, Polaroid has developed an Ultrasonic
	Ranging System Designer's Kit.  The kit contains everything you need
	to start experimenting on your own:  a technical manual. application
	notes, one instrument grade transducer, an ultrasonic ranging circuit
	board, an experimental demonstration board with led display, 2 Polaroid
	polapulse batteries, wires and connectors. $165*

	The OEM Kit.  Ideal for the hobbiest or student for prototype 
	development.  This kit contains two instrument grade transducers,
	two ranging circuit boards and cables, a technical manual and
	application notes. $99*

	Components.  Transducers, ranging circuit boards, cables, ran
	board subcomponents (transformers, coils, IC chips, and resonators)
	are available in minimum quantities of ten.

	*Prices subject to change without notice.

Polaroid's address is:
	Polaroid Corporation
	119 Windsor Street
	Cambridge, Massachusettes 02139

	617 577 4681
     	Fax: 617 577 3213


If anyone is interested in half (or more) of an OEM kit, let me know.  If 
there is enough interest, maybe I can place a bulk order.  I don't know what
kind of discount I can get.

E-mail can be sent to
	Jim Malloy
	C/O K Lambrecht

or I can be reached by phone at 703 335 2774 (home)
From: fredm@media.mit.edu (Fred G Martin)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: HC11 Floating Point Routines
Date: 9 Nov 92 15:33:58 GMT
Article-I.D.: news.1992Nov9.153358.17988
Organization: MIT Media Laboratory

In article <BxDosx.Jsv@news.cso.uiuc.edu> rg9538@ehsn2.cen.uiuc.edu
(Ronald E Garnett) writes: 

>Help!  I'm looking for a library of assembly routines for floating point.
>I don't have time to write them myself.  

Motorola publishes PD assembly language FP routines for the 6811.  The
code is available from Motorola's free devtools BBS.  Call (long
distance, no doubt) 512-891-3733 with modem and you will be in
business.

	-Fred
From: Don.Golding@f2206.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Don Golding)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Usefulness of HERO-1?
Date: 10 Nov 92 09:00:00 GMT

I have developed a new robot controller for only $195.  It is more 
advanced and easier to use than the Hero.  A complete robot called 
Whiskers is available for only $395. Call me at (714) 794-8325 or 
write me at Angelus Research, 6344 Sugar Pine Circle, Angelus Oaks, 
Ca. 92305.  A number of intelligent bases are available.
 * Origin: The Interocitor*AI/Robotics*214-258-1832 (1:124/2206)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: jhuang@sci.ccny.cuny.edu (Jian Huang)
Subject: Need Tel. # for Vision Applications in NYC
Reply-To: jhuang@sci.ccny.cuny.edu (Jian Huang)
Organization: City College of New York - Science Computing Facility
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 01:11:54 GMT


-- 
JIAN HUANG                   
jhuang@sci.ccny.cuny.edu    
jhuang@ccnysci.uucp       
jhuang@ccnysci.bitnet
From: dtroup@carroll1.cc.edu (David C. Troup)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: HERO 2000 Hackers
Date: 6 Nov 92 17:44:40 GMT
Organization: DCT Technologies, Inc.


	 I'm trying to get in touch with fellow HERO 2000 hackers. I would like
	 to know what others are doing with this platform, and what
	 software/hardware hacks have been implemented on it. Also, if anyone
	 has any information about the CMU HERO that recently participated in
	 the robotics contest where the machine from U. Mich. won out over the
	 HERO, I would appreciate it. 

	 thats all!

	 David C. Troup
	 dtroup@carroll1.cc.edu
	 414.547.4719
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: jim@sun0.elon.edu (Jim Murphy)
Subject: Help With Controller Circuit?
Organization: Elon College, Elon College North Carolina
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 12:31:06 GMT

Need a controller circuit for a stepper motor of the variety
that comes from a floppy drive. This motor is a 4-phase and I would like
to control it from a printer port on a PC clone fro student
experimentation. A simple cw ccw circuit is all that is needed...

Thanks in advance...


-- 
Jim Murphy			Campus Box 2235	
Voice : 919-584-2290	 	Department of Computing Sciences	
e-mail: jim@sun0.elon.edu	Elon College
e-mail: murphy@vax1.elon.edu	Elon College, NC 27244
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: monte@joplin.wri.com (Monte Seyer)
Subject: nitinol kits: where?
Summary: source of nitinol kits
Keywords: nitinol
Organization: Wolfram Research, Inc.
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1992 18:22:13 GMT

Could someone please post or email me the information on
the Nitinol kits someone had posted a couple of weeks ago.

thanks,

Monte Seyer
monte@wri.com
--
"Don't wait for trouble." -Chuck Yeager		"Actively seek it out." -Me
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: veen2976@mach1.wlu.ca (veenstra christopher)
Subject: Position sensors
Organization: Wilfrid Laurier University
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1992 18:05:10 GMT

  Greetings,

I have a few ideas in my head for a flying robot but before I can really
take them anywhere I need to solve one main point:  How do I get the robot
to figure out where it is?  That is, some circuitry to detect the GPS
signal, or maybe LORAN for loooong distances, or even a pair of transmitters
that I would have to make.

  If anyone has recommendations for which system to go with, please send me
specs for the components required (ie. weight, limitations, advantages,
ordering information, etc.).  

Thanks for your assistance,

Chris Veenstra
veen2976@mach1.wlu.ca
From: 2575brooksr@vms.csd.mu.edu (Ryan K. Brooks)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Cheap, light orientation sensor needed
Date: 6 Nov 1992 23:57:42 GMT
Organization: Marquette University - Computer Services
Reply-To: 2575brooksr@vms.csd.mu.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: vmsd.csd.mu.edu

In article <1992Nov6.213500.6330@PacBell.COM>, tlhouns@ns.pacbell.com (Lee Hounshell) writes:
>In article <1992Nov6.165554.16576@PacBell.COM> tlhouns@ns.pacbell.com (Lee Hounshell) writes:
>>
>>I had an idea for constructing one using "bend" sensors with weights attached
>>to one end.  As the robot's orientation would change, the sensors would move
>>(because of gravity pulling the weights).  If several of these sensors were
>>placed strategically inside a robot's chassis, I suspect that one could calculate
>>the robot's orientation fairly accurately.  Any comments?
>
>To clarify my earlier posting:
>
>You would need to place 6 of these "bend" sensors in a small enclosed box, one
>in the center of each "wall" of the box.  This box would be contained within
>the body of the robot.  For an individual sensor, you wouldn't know exactly
>which way the tilt occurred.  But by looking at all 6 of the sensors together,
>I think you could calculate orientation, as well as "invertedness."
>
>	- the "bottom-most" sensor would always have the most "bend".. as it would
>	  probably form a "U-like" shape.
>
>	- the "top-most" sensor would usually have almost no bend, as it would hang
>	  mostly straight down.  This (along with the bottom sensor) let you determine
>	  up/down orientation.
>
>	- the "right/left/front/back" sensors would allow you to determine roll
>	  and pitch.
>
>	- You'd need an electronic compass mechanism of some sort to determine yaw.
>	  Anyone know of one?
>
>Anyone know of a reason why this arrangement *wouldn't* work?
>Are "bend" sensors flexible enough for this type of task?
>Is there a way to easily attach them "perpendicular" to a wall?
>And add a weight to the free end?
>
>-Lee
What about using loose potentionmeters or shaft encoders with a hanging mass on
the input shaft?

just a thought..

 ----------------------------
 Ryan K. Brooks                        "You're never dead till you're        
 2575BrooksR@vms.csd.mu.edu                  out of quarters."     
 Marquette University EECE              
 NemeSys Corporation
 "Curtains for Windows"
From: daveco@ddbeano.Dundee.NCR.COM (David Cornish)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Bike motor information
Keywords: bike motor
Date: 6 Nov 92 14:58:07 GMT
Reply-To: daveco@ddbeano.Dundee.NCR.COM (David Cornish)
Organization: NCR E&M DUNDEE

I can't remember who the original poster of the request for information about
motors you can add to bikes was, so this is a general posting to the original
newsgroup.

There was an article in the Auto Express here in the UK (date May 5, 1992) 
about Sinclair's new electric Zike. The phone number given for more info was
(0)933 279300. The price was given as 499 pounds, with a top speed of 12
miles an hour(!). It has rather small wheels, and is described in the article
as 'unstable'.

In the same article, a product called the Boosta Bike is mentioned. This is 
a 'power pack which can be added to any normal bicycle'. A special motor 
drive fixes to the front wheel (at least 20-inch wheel) and two small lead-
acid batteries are mounted on a rear pannier. In total, it weighs around 16
kg. The price given is 295 pounds, and the phone number (0)225 891912.

Is this what you are looking for?
  


-- 
David Cornish                       Mailplus : David.Cornish@Dundee.NCR.COM
Information Products Specialist     Tel : 44 382 611511 Ext 2288
E & M Dundee                        Fax : 44 382 622243
From: collins@emperor.gatech.edu (Tom Collins)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Power supply for robots
Date: 5 Nov 92 15:05:34 GMT
Organization: CERL-EE, Georgia Institute of Technology

In article <1992Nov5.005936.9684@reed.edu> reeder@reed.edu (P. Douglas Reeder) writes:
>In article <Bx4o8E.Ax4@alsvid.une.edu.au> rbyrnes@alsvid.une.edu.au (Rod Byrnes) writes:
>:Any other ideas are also eagerly accepted. One reply mentioned in a humorous
>:fashion the use of a nuclear reactor. I guess this is a totally ridiculous
>:line of approach, but to be honest, I don't really know what the state of the
>:art in nuclear power involves. 
>
>Nuclear power is a good choice for power in space.  According to the
>  [ stuff deleted ]
>Generator (RTG)."  For terrestrial uses, I doubt nuclear is a viable
>choice, for the same reasons we don't have nuclear powered cars.



And for those of you who don't know, the reason is that you either
need a very LARGE vehicle (to isolate the reactor physically) or a
great deal of shielding, which starts a vicious circle of increasing
the size and weight -> needing more power -> larger reactor ->
more radiation -> more shielding -> and so on.  Curiously, this 
ends up being much like the first case (a large vehicle), although
not quite so large.  This is why nuclear power has been practical
for submarines (and surface seagoing vessels, too, although not
much has been done), since they can be quite large and still be
useful.  As far as land vehicles are concerned, one could
certainly envision a huge vehicle to traverse deserts and tundra,
where there are minimal obstacles to avoid and relatively little
interaction with human settlements, but first there would have
to be a practical need for such a vehicle.




-- 
Tom Collins                               tom.collins@ee.gatech.edu
Georgia Institute of Technology           (404) 894-2509
400 Tenth St. NW, CRB 384
Atlanta, GA  30332-0540 
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: bryan@isrc.sandia.gov (Jon R Bryan)
Subject: Re: Extinction of MC68HC811E2FN?!?!?
Organization: Sandia National Labs, Org. 1600, Albq., NM
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 18:42:02 GMT

fredm@media.mit.edu (Fred G Martin) writes:
: 
: Motorola has had trouble keeping up with the demand for these things
: for as long as the chip has been available, about three years now.  I
: wish they would get their act together and just make more of them.
: 
I have been told by a Motorola rep that they have more production
capacity devoted to the HC11 than any other chip they produce.  Making
more would require building another fab line, an expense they are
apparently unwilling to incur.
-- 
Jon R. Bryan	(505) 844-2015	<=>	bryan@isrc.sandia.gov
Sandia National Laboratories, Intelligent System Sensors and Controls
From: sjm@dciem.dciem.dnd.ca (Stewart Moorehead)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Solution of matrix equation AX=XB
Date: 12 Nov 92 14:15:20 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine


 I am recording the 6D position (x,y,z,roll,pitch,yaw) of an object
 using two independant devices. Since these devices have different
 reference frames a transformation matrix, call it X, must be
 calculated. To calculate X, the equation AX=XB must be solved, with A
 and B being known 4x4 matrices. I have found two methods which claim to
 solve for X. They were proposed by Roger Tsai and Reimar Lenz (June
 1989 IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation) and by C. C. Wang
 (April 1992). Both of these methods work if I pre-define X and create
 some 'cooked' data around it, however when I use actual data that was
 recorded using teh devices I get an incorrect answer. The devices being
 used are any two of : Northern Digital's Optotrak, Logitech's 3D mouse,
 and Polhemus Fastrak. I feel that the inherent error in these devices
 may be too great for the methods being used.
 I would appreciate it if anyone has information regarding these methods
 or the devices being used. If anyone has solved a similar problem
 please respond.
 You can send mail to sjm.dretor.dciem.dnd.ca
From: raoul@eplunix.UUCP (Nico Garcia)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Power supply for robots
Date: 6 Nov 92 16:48:25 GMT
Organization: Eaton-Peabody Lab, Boston, MA

In article <lfivfuINN77k@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM>,
cmcmanis@pepper.Eng.Sun.COM (Chuck McManis) writes:
> NNTP-Posting-Host: pepper
> I don't believe this is true. Certainly some of the latest Russian
> satellite reactors 1 - 10Kw, no refueling are efficent enough to power
> a car and their radiation emissions are well below those considered
> harmful. The reactors were designed to power the latest version of

100 or 200 miles up in orbit, sure. Strapped into an engine at your
feet, with enough power output to drive a car from 0-60 in reasonable
time? Which car may get smashed into another similarly loaded car
headlong at 80 mph apiece?

Gas spills are bad enough: nuclear spills at every rotary in Boston?
B-r-r-r.


-- 
			Nico Garcia
			CIRL/MEEI
			eddie.mit.edu!eplunix!raoul
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: jones@ils.nwu.edu
Subject: New Ph.D. Program
Organization: institute for the learning sciences
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 20:09:09 GMT

T h e   L  E  A  R  N  I  N  G    S  C  I  E  N  C  E  S    P h. D.   P r o g r
a m


Preparing individuals for productive work and a   high quality of life in
today's society is a complex  challenge for schools and corporations. To meet
this challenge, Northwestern University has established a unique Ph.D. program
in the Learning Sciences. Its purpose is to advance the research and
development of innovative educational structures and technologies.

Research in the Learning Sciences is aimed at creating environments that offer
all students a rich variety of opportunities for learning to think effectively,
both within and outside of formal learning settings. Graduate student and
faculty research efforts are supported by a multimedia, networked computing 
infrastructure and an unusual commitment to developing technologies that
function effectively within their intended settings. 

The Learning Sciences is a synthesis of computational and social science
disciplines including artificial intelligence, cognitive and developmental
psychology, educational research, linguistics, computer science, anthropology
and fields that develop strategies for teaching complex subject matter. 

Through research, field work and apprenticeships, the Ph.D. program will
prepare its graduates to assume leadership roles in advancing the scientific
understanding and systematic practices of learning and teaching.

Students are eligible for competitively-awarded multi-year funding. To qualify
for financial aid, candidates should apply by January 15, 1992. Applications
received after that date may be  considered. Individuals with relevant teaching
experience or a strong academic  background in a field related to the Learning
Sciences are encouraged to apply. For  application materials or for further
information, contact:

Professor Roy Pea
Ph.D. Program Chair 
The Learning Sciences 
Northwestern University
1890 Maple Avenue
Evanston, IL  60201
phone: 708-491-8152
fax:    708-491-5258
email: jones@ils.nwu.edu
 
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
From: doctor@kronos.arc.nasa.gov (Terry Fong)
Subject: Re: Cheap, light orientation sensor needed
Keywords: orientation, cheap
Organization: NASA/ARC Information Sciences Division
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 17:16:04 GMT

In article <1992Nov6.165554.16576@PacBell.COM> tlhouns@ns.pacbell.com (Lee Hounshell) writes:
>
>I had an idea for constructing one using "bend" sensors with weights attached
>to one end.  As the robot's orientation would change, the sensors would move
>(because of gravity pulling the weights).  If several of these sensors were
>placed strategically inside a robot's chassis, I suspect that one could calculate
>the robot's orientation fairly accurately.  Any comments?

Well, this might give you 2 axes of tilt (roll & pitch angles), but
what about the 3rd axis (yaw/heading)? You'll still need a compass (or
other referenced sensor)...

By the way, there is a company in the Bay Area that sells
vibrating piezoelectric gyroscopic chips (primarily used in missiles,
and other devices) pretty cheaply. I'll post the address as soon as I
find it... The resolution is pretty poor though, but may be good
enough for "cheap" applications...

-Terry
 
-- 
_______________________________________________________________________________
"I may be captain by rank, but I've  | Terry Fong <terry@ptolemy.arc.nasa.gov>
 never wanted to be anything but an  | NASA-AMES M/S 269-3, Moffett Field, CA
 engineer!" -- M. "Scotty" Scott     | (415) 604-6063 office, 604-6081 lab
Newsgroups: comp.robotics