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Zunk writes "While traditional approaches essentially start with a "brain," and attempt to build robots "downward" from that, BEAM robotics starts from simple reflexes, in a "bottoms-up" approach. The majority of BEAM robots are non-computerized (although simple CPUs can be used to drive them, in a "horse and rider" sort of way). Unlike many traditional processor-based robots, BEAM robots are cheap, simple, and can be built by a hobbyist with basic skills in a matter of hours. Because of this, BEAM is an excellent way of getting started in robotics, and of learning about electronics". Link.
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beam robotics are OLD, but still fun. i like http://www.beam-online.com/ and http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/6897/beam2.html
I have a couple photovores laying around myself, and im still "working on" (for like a year now, lol,)
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I have several articles about building BEAM robots on my website, GoRobotics.net.
This one is pretty good.
BEAM is nifty because it's so amazing to see things move with so few components and many of them from just the sun's power.
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Imagine my surprise when my Podcast aggregator downloaded a file called "Solarbotics"! ("Hey - I work there!")
Anyways, I don't know what constitutes "new" vs. "old" robotics, but they're fun, quick to build, and usually very robust. Did I mention that we often literally build out of junk? Keeps the hobby cheap... The solar-power aspect is also fun, as you don't worry about incorporating an "on" switch in your design. When the last connection is made, the device is operational! I've got some solar designs 10 years old, and still twitching along.
Solarbotics will be out at this weekend's Western Canadian Robot Games (plus hosting a Friday workshop and Saturday evening BBQ), so if you're in the Calgary Alberta region, come and say Hi!
Dave Hrynkiw
President, Solarbotics Ltd.
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I used to build BEAM robots in high school (Mark Tilden, we love thee). To this day (full disclosure: I'm only 24), I can't pass an old oven, washing machine, or dishwasher and wonder if it has an OTU (oven timer unit) in it. They make great gear boxes...
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