117 replies to this topic

[SpleenBeGone]

This has inspired me: http://io9.com/58616...sing?tag=robots

I'd like to do something much simpler. Just a simple GPS beacon that can be tracked online by anyone. I need to come up with a vessel and a power source. Most likely a solar cell with a lead acid or lithium battery. I also need to find a compatible gps beacon, and will be sending emails to lots of gps companies with my idea to see if anyone has something that would work good. I'm open to all suggestions and ideas. I'll be placing my bot in the gulf of mexico, provided I can get everything working properly, with the hopes that it'll eventually make it into the Atlantic.

[Chukkzy]

Its like a future message in a bottle

[SpleenBeGone]

There will be a message attached, just in case someone finds it.

[(V) (`m`) (V) ︵ ┻━┻]

Every time I hear those words out of your mouth, I panic a little.

That is an amazing idea though.. ^__^

[SpleenBeGone]

They don't always involve explosives!

Thanks, I'm trying to send emails to companies and people who know about the different parts I need. I'm really hoping I could get a gps company or something to sponsor this, but even if not, it shouldn't cost too much to build.

[LD50]

i came (giggity) preparing to facepalm. was surprised.

knowing your luck, that thing will end up beaching 50 ft to the left a couple days later >.>

Every time I hear those words out of your mouth, I panic a lot.

fixed that for ya

[SpleenBeGone]

Well, I'm hoping to put a little motor on it to keep that from happening. >.>

I'm trying to figure out a simple, compass based rudder system too, to make sure it keeps going east.

[LD50]

if you are able to get the rudders cpu controlled, you should be able to program direction changes based on the path the gps is noticing.

also, i'd suggest doing research into the currents of the gulf, see when it's at it's calmest during the year to plan accordingly.

also, avoid hurricane season >___>

[SpleenBeGone]

I'm not sure what kind of control the GPS would give out. The ones I'm looking at just ping a location to a map source. I'm trying to contact a few manufacturers for more information though. I was thinking of something much simpler, like a photo cell with a bar over it, that way when it's traveling east or west, it's got a shadow over it, and if it travels north or south it has light. I hit a snag in the fact that it would work just as good going west as east though. >.>

[LD50]

just depends really on how often the gps pings the satellites. those competitions with self driving vehicles all use gps tracking to allow the onboard cpu to make the needed steering adjustments.

plus, it's the gulf. overcast >.>

[SpleenBeGone]

Yeah, but I think they have much more expensive units with lots of programming skill.
I was going to use one of the car tracking ones. >.>

[LD50]

<.< and?

[SpleenBeGone]

And I'm poor. >.>

[LD50]

i'm poorer >.>


also, your ads here are freaking me out >.> why all the addiction and drug treatment ads? <.<

[SpleenBeGone]

I still don't want to spend a ton of money that will sooner or later probably end at the bottom of the ocean. >.>

I dunno, I keep getting them too.

[LD50]

indeed


they're subliminal messages. i haven't slept at all, must be a drug problem >.> or drugs will fix that. one of those two

[SpleenBeGone]

Or both!

[LD50]

lol


seriously, though >.> every time i go to lay down, i can't sleep. it stinks

[SpleenBeGone]

Eat turkey.

[LD50]

cold turkey?

like the ads?

get it?


also, think about telling me to eat for a few seconds >.>