mikegotis - Now that Manatron humanoid robot is completed, it will be interesting to run more experiments on the humanoid language core. Though there are memory constrains, it's still quite possible to expand the speech capabilities using a programmable matrix. It would be nice to have a light cube of known refractory index to hold the speech buffer and develop a lightspeed holo version. That kind of light compression allows multiple channels and much greater language capacity (multi-languages). When you shoot through language rays, you truly feel like a pilot of a lightspeed galaxy class star ship! Using monochromatic single sourced laser light allows trail and density viewings by ocular inspection. To let you know how serious I've become about HLC, I recently purchased 40 monochromatic lasers to substantially increase the number of three dimensional light channels. Currently that gives more power than I can use at the moment. Although these paths are currently micrometrically positioned, I can envision a computerized system with ms timing, automatically positioned.

It's interesting to note Alta Vista translators and similar have steadily increased the number of languges that can be translated bidirectionally. The method of translation is to translate each word and then its left up to the listener or reader to decipher the meanings, brute force if you will. In the humanoid language core however, we can choose the modus operandi, and specify the constraints. We therefore have greater language controls. Mike Otis

more on manatron!!!

MANaTRON built by Mike G. Otis - mikegotis@yahoo.com

MANaTRON humanoid is an autonomous biped robot that accomplishes a lot with only 6 servos - walk, talk, see, balance, dance, and Tai Chi Martial Arts. Its success is due to a handful of networked Basic Stamp computers and an innovative light weight aluminum exoskeleton.

Taking two years to build from 2002 to 2004, he?TM]s the latest ?enumber five†in a family of robots, and the first biped humanoid in this series. There were ten variations of MANaTRON named ?ePrimary Tertiary Adjunct (1 to 10) of ten†as a tribute to Seven of Nine in Star Trek.

A programmable robotic voice, based on the popular GI- SPO256 speech synthesizer chip and a custom language core, forms speech in 6 languages.

MANaTRON has motion controlled feet, legs, arms, torso, and head, using hobby servos and tiny computer networks. Multiple miniature robotic computers are task dedicated for specific functions and have their own operating systems.

While these tiny computers serve as a higher ordered brain, talking back and forth, they have modular and core programming to facilitate added programming, routines, or more brain core.

Rechargeable 9-volt and AA Batteries distributed throughout the body maintain center of gravity. The low number of servos combined with extra powerful Nickel Metal Hydride cells is a great combination for maximizing LBC (life between charges).

Parts are taken from various sources inclusive of kitchen tin cans, materials from the Republic of China, and a Toddler robot kit. Four added motions are accomplished with a mechanical mobility core. A miniature mercury inclinometer improves walking on inclined surfaces.

PBASIC Programming software is uploaded to BS2s with a portable Apple Macintosh iBook computer running OSX and MACBS2. The humanoid has its own unique OS for extended capability.

The development brain during "grow up, teach, and test" phases, consisted of tiny OEM computers, solderless breadboard, matrix keyboard, 64K RAM, LCD, controller, speech board, and LEDs. To formulate the range of motion, upper body mechanics were mounted on a large Chinese Cola bottle. Legs were treated as a module. Then, calculated motions were programmed, everything was assembled, and finally, the contents of one brain was transferred to the other.

Seeing the humanoid move slowly, executing Tai Chi Martial Arts with robo-precision, or dance the motions to a heartfelt love song is enough to make lasting impressions on those who see it for the first time! It would be exciting to take MANaTRON across the USA, Germany, Russia, China, Japan, and Indian Reservations, because he speaks the language!

Specs:

Tilt Inclinometer Controller I/O Computer Network Infrared Vision 6 DOF Servos Speech Synthesizer LEDs (LCD for development) Weight: One Pound About $500 in parts to duplicate

MANaTRON http://hometown.aol.com/mikegotis/myhomepage/photo.html http://www.geocities.com/mikegotis/manatron.html http://www.androidworld.com/prod10.htm http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1& amp;q= manatron+humanoid

Zylatron http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/zylatron.html http://robots.net/robomenu/1007157821.html

Son of Zylatron (SOZ) http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/soz.html http://robots.net/robomenu/1025188599.html

Automatron http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/automatron.html

BUGaTRON (da Chong) http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/bugatron.html http://robots.net/robomenu/1031079661.html

My free Inclinometer Plans - posted in the pictures section http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toddler_robot/

email: mikegotis@yahoo.com

MANaTRON Humanoid Robot now speaks in six languages. I recently completed a second "MANaTron" Humanoid Robot web page at

http://hometown.aol.com/mikegotis/myhomepage/ photo.html

This one contains information about how the humanoid was built, the SPO256 electronic allophone speech chip, construction, and links. The photo is also much larger and more detailed than the first. This shows the exoskeleton and other aspects.

Work on a new project is proceeding nicely, called the Humanoid language Core (HLC), primarily software based at this time, it gathers information to speak in six languages. A working proto is installed inside MANaTRON.

I posted several pictures of my completed humanoid MANaTRON, at the photos section in the Yahoo Toddler Robot group...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/toddler_robot/

Look for the Mike G. Otis folder and HUMANOID. There are five pictures and a text image.

I've also created a MANaTRON web site...

http://www.geocities.com/mikegotis/manatron.html

This humanoid is a proof of concept. It's gone through many stages of development, some more technical, some less. I tried to simplify this version as much as possible, not only in terms of weight but operating technicality. I'd like to make a web site devoted to the complete speech system. It's nice to program the humanoid in other languages such as Chinese and Japanese. You never know when that will come in handy during an international trip.

Project MANaTRON is nearing completion. Here's the preliminary description of this humanoid robot:

Class: Walking Humanoid

Brains: Multiple

Motion: Head, arms, feet, legs, torso

Cost: $500

Servos: 6

Microcontrollers: multiple Basic Stamp 2

Speech: SPO256 Allophone Processor

Exoskeleton: Aluminum tin cans

Walking: Tilt and stride

Languages: Multilingual

Programming: PBASIC

Vision: IR detectors

Backpack: SSC controller

Meet MANaTRON - the most exciting, sophisticated and newest robot in the homebuilt Tron family! (other members include Zylatron, Son of Zylatron, Bugatron, and Automatron)

Built from 2002 to 2004, MANaTRON is the first family humanoid, with six degrees of freedom - enabling motions for arms, legs, feet, head, and torso.

For tilt and stride, this humanoid uses a Basic Stamp computer and parts from a Parallax Toddler kit. The key to its expanded mechanical motions is a miniature upper mobility core, created from four unionized servos mounted orthogonal to each other.

Expansion success is all about "center of gravity" and weight control. MANaTron sports chrome colors in a nearly weightless and highly durable outfit comprised of recycled aluminum sardine cans, nylon nuts & bolts, and phenolic washers.

Programming is with a Macintosh computer and PBASIC - an efficient language designed specifically for microcontroller applications. MANaTRON is completely self sufficient and autonomous.

Additional Basic Stamp 2 computers are distributed throughout the robots tin can exoskeleton, interfaced to a serial servo controller SSC for motion, and add-ons such as SPO256 alophone speech, infrared vision, tilt inclinometer, and expansion pcb's.

Prototyping was accomplished with two Parallax BOEs (Board of Education), and solderless breadboards purchased in Taiwan.

Power is derived from on-board 9-volt and AA batteries, distributed throughout, for weight distribution. A home- built inclinometer fine tunes walking across surfaces that are not level. The robot stands just over 14-inches tall, and would cost about $500 in parts to duplicate.

Bringing MANaTRON to life is a spectacular experience! Primary applications are education, fun, and hobby. He can do simple walk, dance, Chinese Tai Chi, and is multilingual as programmed. For more information:

Zylatron http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/zylatron.html Son of Zylatron (SOZ) http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/soz.html AutomaTron http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/automatron.html BUGaTRON (da-Chong) http://www.robotics.com/robomenu/bugatron.html

email: mikegotis@yahoo.com

Parallax has made it possible for me to continue work more rapidly on the 3D computer by supplying parts for expanding the number of spacial computers. You will remember this project was conceived with just two computers and a hardware interface. The interface design is now purely optical and lensing in nature, and "n" dimensional, and is leading to the addition of numerous computers located in n-space.

N-space makes it possible for all computers to simultaneously contribute to the core as light paths can become infinitely dense. The population density goes to infinity as the optical dimension increases. Over the last 2 years, the phase of the project was primarily mathematical, with work continuing to perfect the ultimate matrix equation.

I recently assembled two more computers and have these working and tested. The primary reason for developing the optical n-dimensional 3D computer is for use as a humanoid brain. (Current networked computers are far too slow for use as advanced robot brains.) I wish to give my personal thanks to Parallax company and Ken Gracey for their support and interest in this project. Their basic stamp computer is ideal for a number of robotic projects. Their web site is at http://www.parallaxinc.com/

Work is commencing on a new robotics lab, one that is expanded to support the vast amount of equipment necessary to create the latest biped humanoid. This new research laboratory will have additional facets such as an astronomical observatory, special storage buildings for cybernetic inventory, multifield parts (such as optics, mechanics, optoelectronics, magnetics, particle dynamics, electrical and electronic, etc.), vehicular garage, communications equipment, multiple security systems, scientific research library, computers and internet, and all the essentials for comfort. I've worked nearly a year on this project!

I finally got my robots.net log in to work again and found all the humanoid parts after returning from my trip. Over the next few weeks, my main project will be assembly of parts.

The Quad Servo Core is built. Now the task at hand is programming it. The dual bearing design and prototype on the Upper Body Torso Mobility Core was a great success. An assembly is now working and in progress. Several movies were made showing the primary unit walking. A static mount was invented to sustain the upper torso assembly during code development.

Humanoido Extensions: Worked progressed on the Upper Body Torso Mobility Core. It's now apparent that the omega plane will need bearings. I believe it's possible to fabricate a three dimensional cylindrical bearing to provide increased support and reduce upper body flexure. The rotation results in an eccentric, therefore cylinder placement requires attention. Tests show that certain plastics have very little friction when placed in plane to plane contact, not unlike a teflon surface bearing. This approach will be incorporated into initial designs.