[MakeLV] Get money from the Navy to start a Hackerspace!

Mon Nov 14 12:55:44 EST 2011

Something like that has been created Ellis. Problem with those systems is
that from a development perspective one must have many of the controls
developed for the helicopter. Many calculations are put into a stable
system which in the end may or may not meet the needs of the pilot. From a
development perspective, you need experienced pilots to work with a
helicopter and to dial those control settings. When developing, a skilled
pilot can recover from a failed "autopilot" which saves a lot of time and
money.

If you could take just any helicopter out the box and put some autopilot
system on it, it wouldn't be difficult. The problem is that helicopters are
naturally unstable in terms of control theory and making a 6 axis +
stability system is a pain to develop. Getting your gain values correct
wouldn't be too difficult. The best system out there right now that
research groups are using is micro-pilot which is EXPENSIVE for what you
get. If you have more questions, you can always consult the guys at
DIYdrones.

-Will

On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 11:41 AM, Ellis Farmer <saxywolf at gmail.com> wrote:

> Lack of skilled pilots?  What about designing helicopter controls that let
> anyone fly?
>
> The controls should tell the computer where the pilot wants the
> helicopter... the computer tells the mechanics what to do.  You could even
> make it know where the pilot is (or his perspective) so that the control to
> move "left/right" is always perpendicular to the line from the pilot to the
> helicopter.  If wind (or other) compensation is becoming a problem, give
> the pilot a warning.
>
> Is there not something already like this?
>
> -Ellis
>
>
>
> On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 10:55 AM, Will <staticphantom at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Dave,
>>
>> I know for a fact that ONR does support helicopter shops because I was in
>> one for a little. The biggest problem with the research with helicopters is
>> that there is a lack skilled pilots and mechanics getting involved with
>> research. Not to mention they would love more research done with IMU based
>> navigation in general for flying platforms. Interesting and fun way to
>> start working with a hot topic in navigation would be Python based OpenCV.
>>
>> -Will
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 10:02 AM, Keith Miller <firehopper at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>>   as for the Legos, I have a big collection, including a rcx and a nxt
>>> 2.0 [image: Smile] but haven't messed with it much lately.
>>>
>>>
>>>  *From:* Will <staticphantom at gmail.com>
>>> *Sent:* Monday, November 14, 2011 9:57 AM
>>> *To:* Build things for fun! <makelehighvalley at makelehighvalley.com>
>>> *Subject:* Re: [MakeLV] Get money from the Navy to start a Hackerspace!
>>>
>>> I have been involved in the past with First Lego League. You're better
>>> off setting that up with Lehigh University for that because they have the
>>> tech demonstrations. Even then, as I remember you really don't see the
>>> funding until you host a regional or state level First competition. I like
>>> idea, but we can't limit ourselves to the constraints of the competition,
>>> and unless proven differently I believe it's hard to become a significant
>>> venue for First.
>>>
>>> AUVSI has some interesting competitions however where we can have a lot
>>> of fun. Either that or host an event in the parking lot like this
>>> http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9016 or host it inside the building to
>>> eliminate use of GPS. Applicants can be as simple as a wall follower robot
>>> to get the kids in or line tracking. When dealing with ONR, the recurring
>>> theme with their projects tend to revolve around navigation. Demonstrations
>>> and work to help get ONR grants could be work with IMU's and basic tracking.
>>>
>>> As far as painting the water tower.... holy crap that is a hard task to
>>> automate. It would be fun but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.
>>>
>>> -Will
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 9:34 AM, Josiah Ritchie <
>>> josiah at josiahritchie.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Could we paint water towers, shipls or bill boards with a helicopter
>>>> platform like that? If we could load a description of the surface and an
>>>> image into software and control the copter to precisely apply spray paint,
>>>> I think we'd have an interesting project.
>>>>
>>>> JSR/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 9:29 AM, Rob Roschewsk <rob at pabut.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> One thing comes to mind FIRST LEGO League (FLL)
>>>>> http://usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll
>>>>>
>>>>> Maybe we could partner with a local school or Davinci ????
>>>>>
>>>>>  On Sun, Nov 13, 2011 at 4:22 PM, Will <staticphantom at gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> We're going to need a concentrated effort on this ONR grant. Right
>>>>>> now I don't see how we can qualify at the hacker space because as a whole
>>>>>> we haven't completed or have undertaken any projects relevant to the
>>>>>> proposal and we haven't held any classes or events geared towards the k-10
>>>>>> crowd. Does anyone know of any projects we could do or at lease work on in
>>>>>> pieces for this grant?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I know from my experience helicopters and quad copters were amazing.
>>>>>> My project did end up getting taken to another university for an ONR grant.
>>>>>> That platform that I showed in the youtube video the last time I was at the
>>>>>> space was to be used for a river following flying platform. While ambitions
>>>>>> for that project are grand, we can build small components for a project
>>>>>> like this http://iarc.angel-strike.com/. I ran a group of undergrads
>>>>>> working on that project before I left. We had a flying platform at least
>>>>>> but it didn't complete it. I'm all ears for any ideas so we can 1) start
>>>>>> working and 2) start writing this grant.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -Will
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, Nov 10, 2011 at 5:50 PM, Matthew Tuerk <
>>>>>> mtuerk at allentownedc.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Extra fun tonight! IndieMade craft market crafting night
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Matthew Tuerk
>>>>>>> mtuerk at allentownedc.com
>>>>>>> 610 653-3064 <610%20653-3064>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Nov 10, 2011, at 5:42 PM, Rob Roschewsk <rob at pabut.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>   Don't wait for me :(
>>>>>>> I'm still in Middletown, NJ .... 90 Miles away .... Not looking
>>>>>>> good for tonight ....
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --> Rob
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Nov 10, 2011, at 13:23, Matthew Tuerk <mtuerk at allentownedc.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Let's discuss tonight.
>>>>>>>   Matthew Tuerk
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Assistant Director
>>>>>>> Allentown Economic Development Corporation
>>>>>>> (610) 435-8890 (w)
>>>>>>> (610) 653-3064 (c)
>>>>>>>  <mtuerk at allentownedc.com>mtuerk at allentownedc.com
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> facebook.com/AllentownEDC
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> twitter.com/AllentownEDC
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>>>>>>> only the individual or organization named above. If you are not the
>>>>>>> intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  On Nov 10, 2011, at 1:11 PM, David Smith wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I will take a look at this.  Most grants will need a non-profit
>>>>>>> fiscal agent.  Da Vinci Science Center might be the logical agent on this,
>>>>>>> depending on what the RFP says, and what my boss says ;-)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Dave
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Wed, Nov 9, 2011 at 1:00 PM, Rob Roschewsk <rob at pabut.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2011/11/09/get-money-from-the-navy-to-start-a-hackerspace/
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So ... I think there are a few grant writers out there .... ????
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ONR is seeking proposals in support of education programs in STEM.
>>>>>>>> The ONR mission of STEM is to foster an interest in, knowledge of, and
>>>>>>>> study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics nationwide to
>>>>>>>> ensure an educated and well-prepared naval and national STEM workforce. In
>>>>>>>> support of this mission, the following four investment priorities have been
>>>>>>>> identified:
>>>>>>>> ● Inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
>>>>>>>> [Programs that fall mostly within Grades K-10]
>>>>>>>> ● Engage students in STEM-related hands-on learning activities with
>>>>>>>> Naval relevance. [Programs that fall mostly within Grades 3-12]
>>>>>>>> ● Educate students to be well prepared for STEM employment in the
>>>>>>>> Navy and Marine Corps as well as supporting academic institutions and/or
>>>>>>>> the Naval contractor community. [Programs that fall mostly within Higher
>>>>>>>> Education]
>>>>>>>> ● Employ, retain and develop Naval STEM professionals. [Programs
>>>>>>>> that fall mostly within Higher Education and Professional Development]
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> Makelehighvalley mailing list
>>>>>>>> Makelehighvalley at makelehighvalley.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> http://makelehighvalley.com/mailman/listinfo/makelehighvalley_makelehighvalley.com
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>> David L. Smith, Ph.D.
>>>>>>> Director, Teacher Professional Development
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 3145 Hamilton Blvd Bypass
>>>>>>> Allentown, PA 18103-3686
>>>>>>> 484-664-1002 x111
>>>>>>> david at davincisciencecenter.org
>>>>>>> http://www.davincisciencecenter.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> http://about.me/josiah
>>>>
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