Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!well!bkoball
From: bkoball@well.sf.ca.us (Bruce R Koball)
Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Subject: Re: Small Hovering Hobby Robots
Message-ID: <25523@well.sf.ca.us>
Date: 19 Jun 91 02:18:14 GMT
References: <00949D78.A594B600@vms.csd.mu.edu>
Lines: 17

Re: small RC hovering models...I saw an amazing example of same at a
conference last fall...fellow had purchased it in Japan...consisted of 4
small PM/DC motors (the type you see in cheap toys) mounted on a
styrofoam ring about 12" in dia.... each motor had a plastic prop about
4' in dia....control electronics and batteries (about 8 oz. worth) in
the center...stability was accomplished via a small *GYROSCOPE* (no
kidding!) in the center pod...gyro had small, dual-gimbeled flywheel
with some sort of proportional sensor feedback (don't recall the
method)...gyro parts (except the flywheel and bearings) were
injection-molded plastic....owner said the whole thing cost about $400
US....I might be able to track him down if anyone's desperately
interested....reply by email 


Bruce R. Koball         Motion West         (voice only)  415 540-7503
bkoball@well.sf.ca.us   2210 Sixth St       (ans machine) 415 548-2450
bkoball@cup.portal.com  Berkeley, CA 94710  (fax)         415 845-3946