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

Mon Nov 14 14:19:31 EST 2011

Isn't the stability issue why people are going with QUAD COPTERS these days
???? Are they easier to navigate??

Maybe there's another design that's easier to control .... I dunno ... I
saw a remote controlled blimp once that looked really cool .... granted the
slightest breeze becomes a challenge ....

On Mon, Nov 14, 2011 at 5:55 PM, Will <staticphantom at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>>>>>>>> *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE The information in this email may be
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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
>>>>>>>> recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination or
>>>>>>>> copying of this email and its attachments, if any, or the information
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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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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> http://about.me/josiah
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>
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