🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <794723127snz@stellar.demon.co.uk>
           joe@stellar.demon.co.uk "Joseph Michael" writes:
                         ANNOUNCEMENT
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I have uploaded file pm6.zip to ftp.demon.co.uk in directory
/pub/ibmpc/graphics/pm. Its prototype software that allows you to get an
idea of what it takes to control shape changing robots.

The program renders robotic cubes in 3D and allows you to
move them around in 3D with collision detection.
There are fixed animations you could replay such as that
of a walking machine. (The commands for saving animations is not
documented properly and is deliberately vague because the user interface
is very poor and needs to be redesigned.)

The numbers synthesised are stored in an Microsoft Access database which
can be replayed back to real shape changing robot at some time in the
future to control a real robot. Also the numbers in the database can be used to
sythesise program fragments which can be incorporated into application
software.

Although collision detection is implemented, dynamic stability,
controlled detachment, stress calculations, pressure and gravity are
not taken into account. These will be introduced at some time in the
future.

One point worth noting is that the software does not at present
go into physical dimensions. The movements and the resulting
numbers synthesised are applicable whether the robotic cubes
are several metres, millimetres or nano metres in dimensions. As such
you could be programming up an application now to download to
nano machines at some time in the future - something which
nano technologists can only dream about.. :-)

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|  Joseph Michael              |    E.C.C. Ltd                       |
|  joe@stellar.demon.co.uk     |    23 Portland Rise, London N4 2PT  |
|  Tel 0836 703945             |    Tel/Fax 0181-800 9914            |
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