Re: self-propagating RCX program

In lugnet.robotics, Claude Baumann wrote:
> In lugnet.robotics, [email protected] wrote:
>>
>> On 09/09/05, Steve Hassenplug <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> On Fri, September 9, 2005 1:07 pm, danny staple wrote:
>>>> On 09/09/05, Steve Hassenplug <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> However, I think making a self-replicating robot from LEGO is not
>>>>> realistic.
>>>>
>>>> I think efforts to build a Lego Robot that builds simple Lego models
>>>> have been made, and sucessfully, but only for fairly simple assemblies
>>>> ( a 4 peice Lego "Duck").
>>>
>>> You're right.  If it's possible to design a robot that can build a four piece
>>> duck,
>>> it must be possible to design a robot that can build a robot that can build
>>> other
>>> robots.  How many parts can these robots have anyway?  Maybe a couple hundred.
>>> That's only fifty times as many as a duck.
>>>
>>> Still, I think I'll stand by my claim that making a self-replicating robot
>>> from LEGO
>>> is not realistic.
>>>
>>> Steve
>>
>> I agree with you that it is probably not realistic, but that wont stop
>> me having fun trying.
>>
>> I would like to build a robot that can build stuff, though I will
>> probably not use the RCX to control it - something with many more
>> outputs and sensors would be required. Still - we already build Lego
>> tools for stuff like pushing out pins and such - so although it is far
>> away, it is along a path people have already started down.
>>
>> I get the feeling though that building a robot to assemble using Lego
>> peices is easier than one to mould or assemble non-Lego.
>>
>> OrionRobots
>
> I'm more optimistic. This is extremely challenging. We should really start with
> an assemling robot. There are experiences to gain first. Hope there are some of
> the mechanical gurus that help think about it. What about you guys Ferrari? Or
> Philo?
>
> -Claude

The first step is to make a decent robot hand for manipulating bricks.  that's
not a humanoid hand, but one that handles Lego pieces well, yet is quite simple.

The hand on my Pick and Place Robot is OK for handling 2xn bricks:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=82738

I was thinking along the lines of an assembly robot for my next pneumatic robot,
now that I have an arsenal of logic gates to fulfil its functions.

Mark