Sunday, February 05, 2006
got bots?
I love robots. I love everything to do with them, from the hardware to the electronics to the software that runs their tiny little brains. I have loved robotics since before junior high, and even did a report on them in 8th grade. So why is it so hard to get involved with them in college? At the end of last semester, I found out that my school has a club that's main focus is building and programming robots. Naturally, I was excited, and wanted to get involved right away. I went to a few preliminary meetings where apparently NOTHING got accomplished (two words: student organized), and even got on several mailing lists from which I have not heard a word. Finally, I talked to one of my programming teachers on Friday, and asked how I could get plugged in. She kind of gave me the run-around saying things like "well, you're doing the right thing taking such-and-such of class" or "glad you're interested as a sophomore". I kept asking how I could get my hands dirty - I told her I din't care what menial task the group gave me, I just wanted to start working on a 'bot, any bot! There were several large projects I asked about, which I knew needed volunteers, and still got no lovin'.
I asked some technical questions about which serial servo controller they were using to interface with the microcontroller, or how they planned on driving 12 amp motors off such a small H-Bridge - just to kind of drop a hint that I had a grasp (however small) on the subject. Nothing. I explained that I used to design surface mount printed circuit boards for an 8051 microcontroller (pretty burly...), but all I got was a spot on an email list.
This wouldn't bug me so much if I didn't know that the group is hurting for members. The grant they got a few years ago runs out within the next couple semesters, so they need to prove that there is still involvement if they want to keep the group alive, especially with such a high percentage of graduating seniors that are all going to be gone after spring. Not only that, they already have quite an assortment of 'bots: about a dozen AIBO dogs, another half-dozen or more BOE-bots, and a whole assortment of kits from various manufacturers - just sitting on the shelves. I just want to play with one, maybe take it home for the weekend and come back with some masterful creation, but of course you have to be a senior member to even think about working on one, let alone taking it home!
Sorry, it seems like I have been ranting alot on this space. Whatever, it's healthy, right?
foolish in fact.
i'll help you storm the bot containment unit.
seriously.
You know my cell, and where I live...