Come with me if you want to live...

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Come with me if you want to live...

rb85

115 posts

Master Geek

#22030 14-May-2008 09:09

Where can I go to study to learn how to build a Terminator?

Seriously though.... that Big Dog is awesome.

Is there much of that type of work/development/opportunity in New Zealand?

hellonearthisman

1819 posts

Uber Geek

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#131036 15-May-2008 05:11

Robot design construction... I like Isaac Asimov visions on robots, he did the one's with the pozitronic brains with 3 laws.
Which was kind of buggie as the designer forgot computers count zero as a value/location, so it's really 4 laws 0-3.
That could have been the design problem in with the Terminators also.

I don't think NZ has a robot wars competition. Not sure if any Universities have robotics courses. I hear this are courses up by the great lakes in the usa that the car companies sponsor, that have labs and courses on robots design, construction and maintenance.

What part of the robot interests you?

BobW

90 posts

Master Geek

#131042 15-May-2008 07:33

Massey University has recently created a "Mechatronics and Robotics Research Group" (http://mechatronics.massey.ac.nz/).

I don't think they're up to Terminator technology level yet, but they're working on it...

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

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Retired Mod

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Lifetime subscriber

#131043 15-May-2008 07:43

My first primary school teach was a terminator robot. Pure evil, and could not be stopped. Its model number was: Mrs Jones.

rb85

115 posts

Master Geek

#132543 22-May-2008 14:19

Hey Hello,

Thanks for the reply.
I find it all intriguing but honestly although I like to think of myself as a technically minded person I think it is all far to advanced for me.

I would like to learn the basics of building a small robot.

Start with something simple....
Something for my son to play with perhaps. LOL

;)

Any good material you could recommend.

BobW

90 posts

Master Geek

#132570 22-May-2008 16:42

rb85: I would like to learn the basics of building a small robot.

Start with something simple....
Something for my son to play with perhaps. LOL

You could have a look at Lego MindStorm http://mindstorms.lego.com

rb85

115 posts

Master Geek

#132970 24-May-2008 11:29

Excellent - Ill start building an army of Lego Robots....

Thanks

paragonOfGeek

95 posts

Master Geek

#135018 2-Jun-2008 19:43

Yea Massey does indeed have a Mechatronics course....I'm a 4th year BEng (Hons) Mechatronics student, i'm currently in the Mech lab working on a small autonomous guided vehicle (AGV). There is far more work then the 'average joe' would ever consider when it comes to building a 'simple' robot hardware + electronics + software = nightmares.

Well enough of my complaining (a key component just failed) and procrastinating back to work...only a few days before it is due.

Have fun and remember if you want to build a robot PLANNING is the most IMPORTANT step.....planning and a good understanding of electronics and programming