BEAMdef.txt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 26 Sep 94 11:25:26 -0500 To: Richard Steven Walz <rstevew@armory.com> From: Matt Foerschler <p00608@psilink.com> The first time I heard about BEAM robotics was in AK Dewdney's now defunct magazine _Algorithm_. BEAM stands for (if I remember correctly) Biology, Electronics, Art and Mechanics -- which were the original concepts behind BEAM. Draw from biology into electronics and mechanics and make it artful. Tilden originally (and still does) advocated using the parts from discarded electronics items-- Walkmans, disk drives, etc. -- to make machines that moved. He avoids the use of computers/microcontrollers in his machines. The original SolarRunner consisted of parts from a Walkman, a solar cell from a solar calculator, some brass tubing, part of a printer roller, a couple of transistors, a zener diode, a capacitor and a resistor. All (or essentially all) of Tilden's machines that I have seen are solar powered and totally autonomous. If I can, I'll send you a copy of the _Algorithm_ BEAM article. I know I can FAX a copy to you, but I'm not sure the state or condition of my full page scanner to scan it into electronic form for districution. A couple of other people have expressed an interest in the article, so I'll need to do something. If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to drop me an e-mail or you can call me 9-5CDT at (913)339-5137. Keep in touch! * Instinet Internet: P00608@PSILINK.COM * * 11900 College Blvd. CIS: 71742,700 * * Suite 200 FAX: 913-469-5971 * * Overland Park, KS. 66210 VOICE: 913-339-5101 *
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