Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!usc!srhqla!quad1!ttidca!hollombe
From: hollombe@ttidca.TTI.COM (The Polymath)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Robot for a Nine Year Old
Message-ID: <22003@ttidca.TTI.COM>
Date: 19 Dec 90 21:07:54 GMT
References: <90352.102403ANDQC@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Organization: The Cat Factory
Lines: 33

In article <90352.102403ANDQC@CUNYVM.BITNET> ANDQC@CUNYVM (Andrew A. Beveridge) writes:
}My daughter a pretty smart 9 year old attended a workshop yesterday, where
}a number of Robots were used by kids, including the Armatron, the Omnibot,
}Robbie Jr., and a HERO-JR.
}
}She was completely captivated by the HERO.  She knows a little bit about com-
}puters.  What computer programs that might interface with a Robot, or programs
}that emulate robots exist?  How much do they cost?
}
}What other suggestions do you have about teaching a kid about Robots, without
}breaking the Bank.

Does she have any programming experience yet?  If not, or if minimal, get
her set up with Logo and Turtlegraphics or equivalent.  Software robots
are much less frustrating to deal with than the hardware variety.  Best
she learn the basic programming concepts in a consistent, non-breakable
environment before she tries to deal with with the real world of
mechanical slippage, friction and maintenance.

} P.S.  In other words, she wants a Robot for Christmas (actually the HERO).
}       Suggestions?

Logo this year, HERO or equivalent next if she's still interested.

BTW, last I heard Heath/Zenith took the HERO-2000 off the market due to
mechanical bugs in the arm.  I take it the HERO jr. wasn't affected,
since it has a different arm.

-- 
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