Mark Hinkle

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Mark Hinkle

Hi there! Welcome to my robot design page.

Sometimes I am not myself: Mark Hinkle. I demanded remuneration for use of my name by asking for a lecture or some software. I think TRG would be well served by a lecture on the use of Linux in robots. Software is also nice. Too bad I'll miss it if my doppleganger ever ponies up.

About me

Recenty, I moved from Sierra Vista, AZ (about a 980 mile drive from Austin, TX) to Tucson and having fun at my new company. My new job is as a senior electrical engineer once again. When I was out at Ft. Huachuca, AZ, I was doing experimentation with UAV systems and working with tactical radios. Flying robots! Wireless comms! Whoopee! You can see some pictures at my Yahoo Photos site. The great thing about that job was that if I did it really well, our troops will get to come home to their family... alive. That is a good feeling. But now I am in Tucson and have found another robot club to join. (Join a robot club! Collect the whole set!)

In the meantime, I am still a dues-paid member of The Robot Group and still, when I can (usually when the kids are asleep), work on robots. You can also check out my blog on LiveJournal. Sometimes technical, sometimes mundane, sometimes political, and always politically incorrect.

About my projects

1. Jumping Jack
   1. scarecrow with jack-o-lantern head.
   2. sits in a chair.
   3. motion detector.
   4. speaks, then leaps and screams.
   5. uses pneumatics due to speed requirements
2. Mobile Coaster
   1. purpose is to follow the user around.
   2. you can set tools or a drink in the holder.
3. Centipede
   1. insect-like behavior.
   2. mulitple segments.
   3. add and remove segments to make any length.
   4. each segment has own power and controller.
   5. each segment has two wheels
4. Tree Climbing Centipede
   1. similar to Centipede.
   2. uses claws and not wheels.
   3. designed to climb.
5. Baby Monitor
   1. wheeled computer base.
   2. streaming video and audio.
   3. full duplex audio.
   4. uses VPN or SSH.
   5. web based control.
   6. general purpose manipulator arm.
6. Cat Shooer
   1. stationary.
   2. compressed air gun or water pistol.
      1. uses non-toxic foam or soft projectiles.
      2. water used where no damage might occur.
   3. motion sensor.
   4. image sensors.
      1. since we want to shoo the pets off the counters and not the dishes, bottles or plants.
7. Leaf Sucker
   1. similar to existing robomower.
   2. for collecting and mulching leaves and very small twigs.
   3. bags yard waste in 30gal "lawn and leaf" bags.
8. Bartender Bot
   1. makes mixed drinks.
   2. voice controlled.
   3. senses fluid volume.
   4. uses 750ml bottles.
   5. uses peristaltic pumps.
   6. debating on making mobile.
      1. if mobile need collision avoidance.
      2. stop until drink mix finshes and beverage is received.
      3. need to be able to locate source of request for service.
   7. what about multiple simultaneous requests? Conflicting.
9. Generic Robot Base
   1. a basic platfom for a mobile robot.
   2. uses serial communications to control base.
   3. will be made in stages.
      1. stage one: simple serial control of motors.
      2. stage two: add in motor feedback.
         1. speed.
         2. wheel rotation direction.
      3. stage three: add sensors.
         1. collision avoidance.
         2. motor stall (based on motor current).
         3. wheel slip.
      4. Integrate sensors for serial polling.
      5. Add more sensors
         1. motor temperature
         2. battery temperature
         3. battery charge status
      6. Add intelligence.
         1. integrated sensors can issue asynchronous alerts.
         2. motors controlled by serial commands.
         3. configuration information data fields

1. Campshower
   1. 2gpm flow rate.
   2. 6 gallon propane RV water heater.
   3. uses 12V battery.
      1. deep cycle.
      2. prefer AGM type (absortive glass mat).
2. Fermentation Tank Chiller
   1. cooling jacket for 5gal fermentation tank for homebrew.
   2. uses TEC (thermoelectric cooler).
   3. digital temp sensor inserted into tank.
   4. adjustable temperature.
   5. temperature readout.
3. Personal Network Area Storage

My Library