BEAM Robots (Section 1)

Type: Workshop
Program Area: Robotics

Day/Time: Saturday, April 22 10:30 AM (90 minutes)

Location: Workshop Pavilion

We will explore the world of BEAM robots with more than 25 robots on display.

Here's what we'll cover:

• What are the general conceptions of robots (being mostly mass-media influenced)


• Why robots can be much simpler than these concepts (and more accessible)


• What the difference is between microprocessor-based and analog-based robots (differences in technology), using examples.


• Explain the essentials of layered behaviors in robotics (using Braitenberg "Vehicles" references, which are thought-experiments)


• What are the design guidelines of BEAM, and how they directly relate to the successful construction of a robot (breaking down the acronym)


• What useful parts can we immediately utilize, and where else we can gather resources (aka: Dumpster-diving 101)


• Hands-on examination of the robots I've brought, showing how the design philosophy was implemented, and where parts were utilized

This workshop is also being held on Sunday at 10:30 AM.

Related site: http://www.solarbotics.com/

Presented by

Dave Hrynkiw
President
Solarbotics

As a youngster, Dave tormented his siblings by often deconstructing their toys. This eventually led to one sibling sending him an article about a roboticist (Mark Tilden) that built robots out of junk. 15 years later, Dave is the President of Solarbotics Ltd., a company dedicated to the principles of "appropriate technology" for building cool and effective robots, often using of junk and solar energy.

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