Thread: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
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Unread 29-05-2006, 23:12
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Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
Foobert,

I appreciate the friendly intent of your info; but particularly for items like the high bandwidth communication, I was kind-of looking for something that didn't require a hundred or so hours of my time to research, code/build and implement robustly.

For the axles, I figure they have hacksaws at VexLabs (or in China) and I am glad to let them worry about cutting straight and about getting rid of all the burrs.

Just as soon as someone wants to put all of those items you describe into mass produced packages that I can pick up at my local Radio shack for $5-10 each; then I'll buy some.

I enjoy hacking as much as the next guy, but for the purposes of this thread, I am one of those guys who wants to hack at a higher level of abstraction than the one you imply.

Maybe if we could get together in the same room you and I could crank out something interesting; but until then I'm going to push VexLabs to do all the cutting and soldering, so that I can do the using.

Blake (still hopeful) Ross

Quote:
Originally Posted by foobert
Where do I begin?....
  • 4", 5", 6" Axles - hacksaw
  • A way to lock a clutch, motor and axle together so that the clutch/axle won't fall out - yes that would be nice
  • A Shaft Encoder that understands direction and counts up/down accordingly - just had the vex encoder open the other day considering printing out an encoder disk and sticking it to the plastic disk in there already then putting in a piece of perf board with a couple of hammatsu p5587's
  • A high bandwith hard-wired connection between Vextrollers or one controller and another computer/coprocessor - you've got two serial ports, there must be something you can hook up
  • An IR communication transceiver for high bandwidth comms with other Vextrollers or other computers/coprocessors - you've got two serial ports, there must be something you can hook up
  • An RF communication transceiver for high bandwidth comms woth other Vextrollers or other computers/coprocessors - you've got two serial ports, there must be something you can hook up
  • Individual and grouped LEDs of multiple colors that can be set on/off by using serial I/O to send command "bits"/"words" - one 74hc595, 8 resistors and 8 leds
  • Audio outputs - piezo speaker
  • A swivel joint made from a captive ball pierced by a rod/axle - check out sites for radio controlled airplanes

I'm sure more ideas will come to me shortly....
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