🚀 go-pugleaf

On Mon, 5 Dec 1994, martin vazquez wrote:

> Hello basement tinkers and computer buffs,
> 
>         Our high school computer club has decided to build a robot.
> 
>         We're looking for a few good interfaces - from an MS-DOS computer to 
> control relays and electric motors.  We found a reference in '99 Inexpensive
> robot projects', by Glen __?__, TAB books, where the author describes a 
> construction using the parallel printer port.  A BASIC program then used 
> the OUT (LPT1 address) command to trigger a semiconductor switch.  While
> feasable-looking in the book, the wiring intracacies give us pause.
> 
>         Does anyone know of a commercial kit or simple method of turning
> on and off motors from a BASIC program?
> 
>         While I'm asking, how about getting sensor input _into_ the computer?
> 
> If you've built a robot with students before (I'm the computer studies/
> moderator), we'd be interested to hear.
> 
> Thanks, 
>         Martin


I don't know of a book for using DOS clones, but I've had plenty of kids 
do such projects using old 8086's and 286's by adapting directions from 
one of the following books, all available from Vernier Software, 2920 SW 
89th Street, Portland, OR 97225

David L. Vernier, How to Build a Better Mousetrap and 13 Other Science 
		  Projects Using the Apple II

John N. Fox, Exploring Science With a Computer

David L. Vernier (Editor), Chaos in the Laboratory and 13 Other Science 
	          Projects Using the Apple II

Have fun.  If you find comparable books with directions for tinkering 
with MS-DOS machines, or even Macs or C-64's or whatever, let me know by 
E-mail to blamb@oes.edu