Pitsco TETRIX Gear Pack (40, 80, and 120-tooth)
Have computer science, Title, Perkins, or other funds? YES! Pitsco solutions qualify. Learn more (/pages/experience-pitsco-grants-and-funding) Updated 5/29/24 When Pitsco introduced TETRIX ® MAX in 2008, we knew it would eventually expand and be used for more than its original purpose as a metal building system geared toward robust classroom education and robotics competitions. And you, our wonderful TETRIX followers, didn ’ t disappoint! We ’ ve had Mr. Robot hackers, girl robots created to empower young women, and much more. But I’m not sure even we could have predicted that TETRIX would one day be used to create a prototype for an innovative new wheelchair concept. When Australian retired computer systems engineer Doug Livingstone first contacted Pitsco regarding parts for his RoboChair project, we were immediately intrigued and excited. We knew this was a story we had to follow. And that story goes beyond mere nuts, bolts, and robotics parts. It goes straight to the heart of a common human interest – helping others. Doug’s reason for the creation of the RoboChair stemmed from a promise he made to his late wife, Kathy, who passed away in 2012 after a battle with MND: motor neuron disease (ALS in the US). They met in 1994 when they were working on a project together. “I found Kathy to be intelligent, feisty, and attractive,” he recalled. “The rest is history; we fell in love.” Kathy’s death “devastated me,” recalled Doug. She quickly lost the use of her limbs, as well as her voice, making it a struggle to communicate. Doug began “ researching everything as an obsessed and driven partner to find assistive aids and equipment to help Kathy. ” Frustrated with the lack of available resources, he leaned heavily on his technology background to develop his own aids. He now continues his work in her name, because “ there are many other people with soulmates suffering, and if we can do anything to make their journey a little easier, then we are doing the right thing.” For Doug, doing the right thing meant fulfilling his promise to create a program that would allow those with severe physical disabilities to communicate and control devices such as a wheelchair. To do that, he needed to first create a prototype. “Seeing a model helps people visualize the functionality,” he explained. “Your MAX and PRIME kits are a perfect medium for building prototypes.” Around version 11, his wheelchair prototype included a seat that could be raised, lowered, turned left or right, and tilted to many angles to accommodate sitting, standing, and laying positions. His RoboChair is planned to be autonomous, navigating itself around a home/care facility with a simple instruction. Medical professionals took notice from the start. His BodyPointer communications program already garnered a mention in the Disabled communities finding quality of life improvements with beacons blog by a technology company specializing in indoor positioning system beacons. And several doctors and health care technology organizations follow his progress with great interest. “Although it has been a few years, I have influenced a number of companies to modify products or take up my ideas,” he said. “I have pushed the boundaries of trying to integrate technologies in ways that hadn’t been envisaged.” For our part, doing the right thing meant helping Doug get what he needed, whether that was making sure parts got shipped or helping brainstorm solutions to coding issues. This involved several key Pitsco players, including R&D Manager Paul Uttley. And we ’ re honored to have helped Doug. We greatly enjoy hearing from you and sharing your stories of success and ingenuity. What great things are you doing with TETRIX and other Pitsco products? Comment – we ’ d love to know more! MORE RESOURCES: Have computer science, Title, Perkins, or other funds? YES! Pitsco solutions qualify. Learn more (/pages/experience-pitsco-grants-and-funding) Updated 5/15/24 In Pittsburg, Kansas, this time of year means some stormy weather, the start of summer break, family vacations, and outdoor activities. Speaking of which, one popular summer activity is found on the fairway, the tee box, and the green. This inspired me to design and construct a simple robot that could help my game on the putting green, plus celebrate National Golf Month (May), Women’s Golf Month (June), and summer in general. Not being an avid golfer, I need all the help I can get on the golf course, so I was inspired to find some assistance! It was difficult to create a robot that could drive the ball 300 yards straight down the fairway (if you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them!), so I decided the goal should be to make a robot that could accurately putt from a shorter distance. The TETRIX ® Max R/C Robotics Set and some extra parts were my materials. The R/C Builder's Guide includes three build options, and the RangerMAX Bot seemed to be the best foundation to meet the putting goal. That’s the beauty of using the TETRIX building system to learn to build robots. Initially, you can develop your skills by following the instructions. After you’ve got the basics down, you can create your own builds and challenge yourself with different activities; the possibilities are endless! And, if you’ll pardon the golf pun, robotics also allows for lots of mulligans. Hands-on learning with robotics totally encourages failing forward. One chief modification was made to the RangerMAX Bot with the thought it would help me reach my goal. An arm was added to the front of the bot that mimicks the shape of a putter. The forward and back swing was accomplished using servo motors. Check out my modified bot sinking this putt. If the bot looks backward in the video, I’m left-handed, so I had to make the robot left-handed too. Associating bots with current events and holidays, the traditional and nontraditional, is a fun way to tie to STEM activities. What can you and your students come up with? I’ve teed up to the challenge for you. Can you and your students create and hold your own golf bot scramble? Or you could swing further and select your own celebration-inspired mission and build a bot or two to accomplish the goal. You might even be want to utilize our Competition in a Box ! Can’t wait to see what you all come up with, so share in the comments. ( Thanks to Four Oaks Golf Course in Pittsburg, KS, for letting us take photos at their facilities! )