NXT, "the thing's" of Arnold

The first example of an impossible design is "the thing" (1) of Arnold.
It looks like a body, and arms attached to the knees...the head being the sonar.
This design was able to make a scissor movement, the actual advantage of this was unknown.

The goal was scanning the objects in the room and constructing a map by combining observations from different positions,
using the sonar sensor, and three motors.

This requires also a bit of programming, combining observation data and a bit of recognition. A compass sensor is very convenient and probably necessary for this.

The plan is to do the programming in C or C++, with the addition of OpenGL to make the map. This kind of program should run on the computer, connected with bluetooth to the NXT.
Another thought is to do it "all" on the NXT itself. A real challenge, which asks for a bit of thought about effective reducing and storing data. After making the map, the file can be send to a PC.

To Arnolds total deception and desparation another model had to be made before his "thing" was finished. But he will come back to this idea, which will be very consolating.
To save his ideas for the future we took a few pictures.


















Particularly nice was the cogwheel construction, for turning the sonar sensor. These cogwheels, especially rounded for this purpose, can be used standing in a right angle to each other. They can be seen at 1400 houres above the centre of the picture.

The next thing was built a few weeks later, totally different, but also with a special signature: redundancy of parts and hybris in design - idea.











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In his second Thing Arnold tried to use all the pieces in the Lego Box. The white connection pieces, but also the handy black double pins were all exhausted. The upper build of sensors had to be done using axes.
The design has only two wheels. A third turning wheel would become instable because of the weight. The structure is supposed to steer, sliding on the part without the wheels.
The third motor can steer the upper sensor strutcture around.
The goal was the same as the first thing: building to a considerable height for putting the sonar sensor on top. Then program to make a map of the room. In short: a radar.
Cogwheels are another speciality as can be seen in a few pictures.

The upper structure has three custom sensors the only problem will be that these sensors have to be connected to the brick. This will prevent considerably the ability to turn the sensors around. The idea of putting the sound sensor in is to be able to follow a talking target.
The light sensor, of course, will be able to follow the light. In this setting the sonar will also serve to avoid becoming a nuisance to the target! So the second "Thing" of Arnold has great stalking capabilities, only the surface must be very smooth!