Page 84 5:10 PM 5/10/2007 Cover.qxd
Vol. 5 No. 6 SERVO MAGAZINE
MACHINE ART • ROBOT SIMULATION • PERSONALITY AND AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS
June 2007
4
74470 58285 0
CoverInside.qxd
5/10/2007
9:18 AM
Page 2
Perfect projects for kids of all ages! robotic kits
chassis
servos
passives
optos
Robotic Kits
Components...
...there’s something for everyone!
Robotic kits help you and your child to experience and learn about perception and control using a variety of sensors and actuators. Challenge yourself with Jameco’s selection of fun and interactive kits! You or your child can assemble the kits and then enjoy endless hours of discovery. Check out our unique selection of robotic kits at
. Robot Insects & Animals . Solar Robots . Listening, Touching & Seeing Robots . Hackable Robots
www.RobotStore.com!
. Programmable Robots . Educational Kits . Legged and Wheeled Platforms . OctoBot Survivor Kit
integrated circuits At Jameco’s RobotStore you can get the world’s most complete robotic offering— all in one place! You’ll find kits for all ages and experience levels, along with gear semiconductors
boxes, servos and chassis, for those who are ready to take on the extreme.
muscle wires
Robotic Kits and
Components...
The World’s Most Complete Of fering! Enthusiasts, Start Dream ing... Gift Givers , Take Note.. .
connectors
Engineers, We’ve Got It All!
motors I-800-374-576 4 WWW.ROBO TSTORE.CO
M CATALOG I62
test equipment
WWW.ROBOTSTORE.COM/SRD
I-800-374-5764
software
books
Call for your free catalog today!
Full Page.qxd
5/10/2007
9:27 AM
Page 3
TOC Jun07.qxd
5/10/2007
11:29 AM
Page 4
Columns 08
Robytes
10
GeerHead
72
by Jeff Eckert
Stimulating Robot Tidbits
Ask Mr. Roboto
by Pete Miles
Your Problems Solved Here
68
by James Isom
Sensors for the Runt by David Geer
When Flockbots, Flock, the Research Rocks!
14
Lessons From The Lab
Robotics Resources
76
Appetizer
78
Then and Now
by Paul Pawelski
The Cost of Mentorship by Tom Carroll
Robot Communications
by Gordon McComb
Plastics for Your Robot Creations, Redux
PAGE 63
ENTER WITH CAUTION! 24 The Combat Zone
4
SERVO 06.2007
SERVO Magazine (ISSN 1546-0592/CDN Pub Agree #40702530) is published monthly for $24.95 per year by T & L Publications, Inc., 430 Princeland Court, Corona, CA 92879. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CORONA, CA AND AT ADDITIONAL ENTRY MAILING OFFICES. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SERVO Magazine, P.O. Box 15277, North Hollywood, CA 91615 or Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor ON N9A 6J5;
[email protected] servomagazine.com
TOC Jun07.qxd
5/10/2007
11:33 AM
Page 5
06.2007 VOL. 5 NO. 6
Features & Projects 34
40
Dial-A-Voltage by Fred Eady Control the power supplied to your motor with this tricky little three-station programmable power supply.
Making Great Connections by Jim Miller Keep just the right kind of test leads at your fingertips.
43
Robot Simulation for Everyone by John Blankenship and Samuel Mishal See how simulations can be a valuable tool for learning and how to get a program totally free.
59
Personality and Autonomous