Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!linus!philabs!ttidca!hollombe
From: hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Robot Fencer (was RE: robot pool player)
Message-ID: <21967@ttidca.TTI.COM>
Date: 18 Dec 90 20:27:00 GMT
References: <12247@life.ai.mit.edu> <21680@ttidca.TTI.COM> <2323@greek.csd.mot.com> <154798@felix.UUCP> <11560@goofy.Apple.COM>
Organization: The Cat Factory
Lines: 36

In article <11560@goofy.Apple.COM> dgiles@apple.com (Darren Giles) writes:
}dennisg@felix.UUCP (Dennis Griesser) writes:
}>lance@motcsd.csd.mot.com (lance.norskog) writes:
}>>... I'd like a robot fencing
}>>partner.  ...
}>>... I've got the Power Glove already...

}>How about taking your Power Glove, clamping on some Eyephones ...
}>... and firing up a Virtual Reality with a simulated partner to
}>practice with.  ...

}... how do you get the foils to interact?
}... there HAS
}to be strong tactile feedback.  Otherwise, you can't even parry!

}... how could you give that kind of feedback? ...

How about audio feedback with a solenoid in your foil's grip so you get an
authentic sounding clash and a twitch in your hand to indicate contact?

The forces involved in real-world fencing aren't all that great anyway.
Even a bind & disarm only takes a few pounds.  Maybe cables attached to
your foil that pull tight to simulate contact?  They could also provide
a reference to the virtual fencer for your foil's actual position.

Simulating broadsword, or even sabre, might be a little more difficult ...

Whack!  "Ouch!"  "Keep that left hand behind you!"

Maybe with mild electric shocks. (-:

-- 
The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe, M.A., CDP, aka: hollombe@ttidca.tti.com)
Head Robot Wrangler at Citicorp(+)TTI             Illegitimis non
3100 Ocean Park Blvd.   (213) 450-9111, x2483       Carborundum
Santa Monica, CA  90405 {csun | philabs | psivax}!ttidca!hollombe