| |
Now that my vacation has finally started, I'm getting a chance to pour
over the Spybots available documentation ( the actual PC program plus
the information found in the 2.5 SDK). What an incredible device this
little toy seems to be, so ripe with possibilities. Now to sneak into
my kids' rooms and swipe their Spybots!
I was expecting that somewhere on Lego's web pages they would have a
repository of user-created programs (or missions), but they either
don't or I haven't found it. Anybody out there come up with any neat
new missions? I'm working on some multi-bot arena combat type
missions and will gladly post them if people are interested.
|
|
| |
In lugnet.robotics.spybotics, Mark Ferris writes:
> Anybody out there come up with any neat
> new missions? I'm working on some multi-bot arena combat type
> missions and will gladly post them if people are interested.
I too was sad to find that there were not any additional missions posted on
the web site. I have Ralph Hempel's book (buy it if you don't have
it...it's good stuff) and he also describes how to create and share
missions. I think this ability to create and share missions will be the
real heart of the Spybotics line. I would love to start a mission swap page
and would be happy to create one on BimP. We could post the following:
* Mission Title
* Mission Creator
* Mission Objective
* Mission Direcdtions
And a link to download the mission.
What do you think?
Steven B. Combs, Publisher
Bricks in my Pocket (BimP)
http://www.bricksinmypocket.org
http://faculty.ivytech.edu/~scombs/robotics
BimP Submission Information:
http://www.bricksinmypocket.org/submissions.html
lugnet member #414
|
|
| |
On Sat, 4 Jan 2003 06:10:08 GMT, "Steven B. Combs"
<stevencombs@yahoo.com> wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics.spybotics, Mark Ferris writes:
> > Anybody out there come up with any neat
> > new missions? I'm working on some multi-bot arena combat type
> > missions and will gladly post them if people are interested.
>
> I too was sad to find that there were not any additional missions posted on
> the web site. I have Ralph Hempel's book (buy it if you don't have
> it...it's good stuff) and he also describes how to create and share
> missions. I think this ability to create and share missions will be the
> real heart of the Spybotics line. I would love to start a mission swap page
> and would be happy to create one on BimP. We could post the following:
>
> * Mission Title
> * Mission Creator
> * Mission Objective
> * Mission Direcdtions
>
> And a link to download the mission.
>
> What do you think?
I like that idea. In fact, I've just recently discovered BimP. I'm
working on some NQC ideas as well as missions created through the
Spybots program.
I must say I'm a bit surprised that there isn't more activity on
Spybots since it appears fairly fully functional as a Pbrick and the
price is quite low (Ijust picked up another SnapTrax for $40 at my
local Frys - the other units were $50).
>
> Steven B. Combs, Publisher
> Bricks in my Pocket (BimP)
> http://www.bricksinmypocket.org
> http://faculty.ivytech.edu/~scombs/robotics
>
> BimP Submission Information:
> http://www.bricksinmypocket.org/submissions.html
>
> lugnet member #414
|
|
| |
In lugnet.robotics.spybotics, Mark Ferris writes:
> I like that idea. In fact, I've just recently discovered BimP. I'm
> working on some NQC ideas as well as missions created through the
> Spybots program.
Let me know when you have your first mission complete and I will create an
area on BimP for us to begin using. I think this will be a great resource
for Spybotics users.
> I must say I'm a bit surprised that there isn't more activity on
> Spybots since it appears fairly fully functional as a Pbrick
I think the fact that you are limited to only the motors and senors attached
makes them less appealing for robotics hobbyist. I think most still feel
they are just beefed up Droid Developer controllers. However, I think there
is much that can be accomplished with these little guys and its just a
matter of time before someone deploys one in a way that makes all of our
jaws drop.
> and the price is quite low (Ijust picked up another SnapTrax for $40 at my
> local Frys - the other units were $50).
That's a great price! I have one of each and have had the most fun with the
multiplayer games.
|
|
| |
"Steven B. Combs" <stevencombs@yahoo.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:H87J0K.31I@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.robotics.spybotics, Mark Ferris writes:
> > and the price is quite low (Ijust picked up another SnapTrax for $40 at • my
> > local Frys - the other units were $50).
>
> That's a great price! I have one of each and have had the most fun with • the
> multiplayer games.
$40??!! 63 EUR was the best we could get here at a distributor. Regular
price here is $80
|
|
| |
"Mark Ferris" <markdf2001@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:g59e1v0qegpg0ol2gtlomep9rq0k9gv4fk@4ax.com...
> I must say I'm a bit surprised that there isn't more activity on
> Spybots since it appears fairly fully functional as a Pbrick and the
> price is quite low (Ijust picked up another SnapTrax for $40 at my
> local Frys - the other units were $50).
Well, I am one of the people who has stayed away from them despite following
this and other lugnet groups, and having several RCX's (and DSDK, DDK).
There just isn't the great pile of technical info (though I admit I haven't
seen Ralph's book) that can be had on the RCX. I got a look at one the
other day, and I still didn't feel like I should get some. But the bottom
line is that you really can only "drive around". You can't "drive around
and do" something. Two motor outputs aren't enough, and even these are
fixed to the batteries and controller, limiting building options.
I want LEGO to be modular, but they seem to be driving toward these
monolithic blobs with decoration.
On the plus side, the fact that they can be made to work with the RCX stuff,
that they have compatible software (and the 3rd party stuff works) is a big
plus and much better than the DSDK/DDK blobs.
--Jack Gregory
|
|
| |
In lugnet.robotics.spybotics, Jack Gregory writes:
> There just isn't the great pile of technical info (though I admit I haven't
> seen Ralph's book) that can be had on the RCX.
Ralph's book is not very technical, but does have some wonderful basic to
advanced information. I am working on the following page:
http://www.lugnet.com/~414/spybotics_internals
Hopefully when this is a little more complete, it will be of some value to you.
Steven
|
|
| |
On Tue, 7 Jan 2003 20:35:39 GMT, "Steven B. Combs"
<stevencombs@yahoo.com> wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics.spybotics, Jack Gregory writes:
>
> > There just isn't the great pile of technical info (though I admit I haven't
> > seen Ralph's book) that can be had on the RCX.
>
> Ralph's book is not very technical, but does have some wonderful basic to
> advanced information. I am working on the following page:
>
> http://www.lugnet.com/~414/spybotics_internals
>
> Hopefully when this is a little more complete, it will be of some value to you.
>
> Steven
Looks like a good start. I'm particularly interested in the details
of what the controller sends out to the brick under the different
states it can be in (remote vs action mode).
|
|
| |
Yes, your new page is good and what we need. But I immediately have a
question:
It seems there are two pairs of canted receptors, two at front, and two at
about mid-board. This implies there is some inherent directional sensing?
I assume at least one of these is IR, but what are the others? Or are they
all just a thing to allow the system to ensure it gets the controller IR?
--Jack Gregory
"Steven B. Combs" <stevencombs@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:H8D2JF.K0u@lugnet.com...
> In lugnet.robotics.spybotics, Jack Gregory writes:
>
> > There just isn't the great pile of technical info (though I admit I • haven't
> > seen Ralph's book) that can be had on the RCX.
>
> Ralph's book is not very technical, but does have some wonderful basic to
> advanced information. I am working on the following page:
>
> http://www.lugnet.com/~414/spybotics_internals
>
> Hopefully when this is a little more complete, it will be of some value to • you.
>
> Steven
|
|
| |
> It seems there are two pairs of canted receptors, two at front, and two at
> about mid-board. This implies there is some inherent directional sensing?
> I assume at least one of these is IR, but what are the others? Or are they
> all just a thing to allow the system to ensure it gets the controller IR?
I'll jump in here. The two canted receptors at the front do indeed give
a basic direction and range finding ability. The IR signal strength follows
an inverse-square law. Double the distance from source to sensor and
the signal is reduced by a factor of four.
As the source is moved to the left or right of the sensor, you will also
get a reduced signal.
By setting up the receivers at an angle, you can take the difference between
the signals form each sensor and determine which side of the Spybot the
source is.
Ralph
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Buy "LEGO Spybotics Secret Agent Training Manual"
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590590910/hempeldesigngrou>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: rhempel at bmts dot com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
