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From: ins_atge@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU (Thomas G Edwards)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: HackerBot Information
Summary: Micro-robotic initiative
Keywords: ubiquitous movit robot kits inexpensive but dumb
Message-ID: <5974@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU>
Date: 31 Jul 90 19:34:52 GMT
References: <1990Jul30.004821.27254@talos.pm.com>
Reply-To: ins_atge@jhunix.UUCP (Thomas G Edwards)
Distribution: na
Organization: The Johns Hopkins University - HCF
Lines: 21

In article <1990Jul30.004821.27254@talos.pm.com> mckenney@talos.UUCP (Frank McKenney) writes:

>The ubiquitous MOVIT series of "Educational Electronic Robot
>Kits" is now available from a new vendor:
>Compared to most of the equipment previously discussed in this
>group, these are definite ToyBots. On the other hand, for those
>with small budgets and an urge to tinker, these kits may be a
>good place to start.

At Hopkins we are working on "neural" analog VLSI chips.  It occured
to us that these "Toybots" would make cheap, simple platforms for
testing student project chips.  Various senses can be added
("whiskers", "ears" (perhaps using Carver Mead's electronic
ear chip), "eyes" (using focal system on chip surface for things
like the See/Hear Chip)).

Anyway, we have obtained a couple of them, and although we haven't
mounted any of the chips on them yet, they provide an interesting
diversion around the lab :-)

-Thomas Edwards