Hazbot
I thought I would start a fun forum on things we would like our completed Robots to do.
As you may or may not be aware, I'm working on Bob waking up in the morning and coming into the kitchen to give me the Weather and Local Traffic reports. I'm working on this but would be interested to know what other users at EZ-Robots would like to have their completed builds do.
Other things that come to mind is.
1. A Robot I can play chess with
2. A Robot than comes on as a sentry and checks of intruders
3. A Robot that can tell me the footy scores
4. A Robot that can pick up my socks in the lounge room and call "Danger , Danger "
before my wife finds them.
Share your ideas people, lets have some fun on this subject 
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EZ-B could accomplish this.
i built one of the robots of his
software is done and working perfect
A 10 inch netbook screen below his neckline displaying a Tux should look cool. But Bob has to get wider !
Yesterday I sliced Bobs tank track base in half and made the track base double the width. It was like something out of that TV show Monster Garage. Total success thanks to my hot glue gun and some screws. Today I'm widening his frame and adjusting it to accommodate a 10 inch notebook running windows. I think Bob on Bob (Brains on Board) - Bob - robotics is a natural evolution and we are so lucky to be where we are with computers (size, capacity and weight). The netbook will only add another 1 kilo to his payload which is no problem (he can take another 4).
I absolutely love David Shinsels creations, as Moviemaker said - made from stuff around the house. Ive put in his web site to inspire other roboteers out there. It truly is a wonderful world
Davids Amazing Creations
using part of the software of his,using a netbook as brains has he did
on DAVE he belongs to many clubs in the calif area,i email him alot for help or codes
netbooks not always great for robots,size,weight,and then battery,plus speed and much more
with ITX board you can get any size speed to match your design,second on netbook must dont use a SSD DRIVE,also on ITX board can add more memory on most,and the list get longer of what a ITX board can do,cost isabout the same,and with the new PICO board can be used in small robots
now on using a netbook there is LCD ,but can easy add a screen to ITX board fairly easy,some have direct connection ,some need a simple VGA to video output and LCD are very cheap under $50 for 7 inch AND 10 inch about $70
never had one go bad ,i used many in my robot projects,netbook is not sealed also it need the same ,air to cool it off
also if needed simple to put a top cover on top ith a fan
but never seen the need for it
ANOTHER ITEM ABOUT USING A NETBOOK IT TAKES UP MUCH MUCH MORE ROOM
i have the ACER aspire one ,its used in my SEEKER robot.i also keep my netbook with my robot design if i use one,i have a better laptop for on the go,or on my work trips
ITX computers super simple to make and put together
I've looked at the ITX option and it is very seductive and no doubt the superior option. I'm a bit like Moviemaker, I'd probably end up dropping something on it that would short it out or spilling wine on it or plugging something in the wrong way or doing something silly like that. I'm a plug and play guy and short on time and patience.
if you robot falls or bumps into something,then the drive will go bad,on SSD IT WONT GO BAD
plus you get more speed from a SSD DRIVE
Now on the hunt for SSD Netbook..
Looked at all the options. RobotMaker - the Aspire one d270 series has a hack option of replacing the hard drive with a SSD. The store owner assured me a $69 SSD fits perfectly into replace the HDD if required. Of all the netbooks this model fits the bill,Windows 7, light weight, wifi, blue tooth, SSD adaptable for $284 Aust. The other option was a SSD dedicated netbook and they are few and quites expensive with low memory. So now the new fun begins - can somebody stop that Robot .. Bob come back here now !
IF you look at every robot made by the big companies on the new and old robot designs NONE use WINDOWS 7 all use WINDOWS XP PRO ,so ask you self why,its not money,or they never heard of windows 7
Dave Schulpius
Presently Robot "Bob" is a great companion in the kitchen. He acts as a voice controlled DJ - playing music as I wash the dishes, plays tracks as I call them and makes a nervous chirp sound if I bang a plate or make a loud noise dropping cutlery. He tells me a joke or two and gives me a verbal update on the weather. His arms are handy for holding t-towels and sponges then passing them to me when I ask for them. At present I'm trying to get a voice activated radar weather map display via a website command on his chest (the netbook display screen). If I yell at him he comes back at me with a dozen or so clever comebacks I gave him.