4 ms·

Seven Robots Every Geeky 80s Kid Wanted (2015)

11 points by adrian_mrd 3y ago

neilv 3y ago
I remember all of those except the Arctec Gemini. There were also some noteworthy lower-end toy robots, like: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Trak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Trak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armatron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armatron Less-known were electronics parts mail-order catalogs with sections of assemble-it-yourself small robot kits (not much more than a PCB, components to solder, and some motors), like: light-seeking robots, line-following robots, Logo-style turtle graphics pen robots. And occasionally a magazine would have an article a homebrew robot that some teen had built. To kids with access to scrap wood, garage sale appliances to strip for parts, and the occasional Radio Shack or mail-order component purchase, these homebrew robots seemed more accessible than ones costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- derwiki 3y ago
  Armatron! Wow I had one of those and totally forgot about it.
Juraph 3y ago
Not in the same decade, but I attribute a non-zero part of my robotics obsession to a friend's cybot (http://lpilsley.co.uk/cybot/ http://lpilsley.co.uk/cybot/). I remember being amazed at it following a line, and always wanted the magazines. Tragically, it was long discontinued by the time I discovered it. Every now and then I think about trying to get my hands on a collection and following along. I'd love to find out if there is anything in there that I haven't yet learned, despite working with robots professionally...
AstroJetson 3y ago
I had a Topo from Androbot. The prior owner didn't understand how to program it, so I got it at a discount. I kept the motor drivers, etc and replaced the brain with a CP/M machine that I could move programs on a floppy to it. It was a struggle, but it was fun to work on. Or maybe not, we were giving a party and someone asked about the robot and asked if it had a name. My young son piped up "I know it's name, it's called "F*cking Robot". The poster above me mentioned the Armatron. A few days ago I pulled one out of the "Closet of Doom". It still works! It went back into the closet with a disapproving spouse look.

11 points by adrian_mrd 3y ago

I remember all of those except the Arctec Gemini. There were also some noteworthy lower-end toy robots, like: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Trak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Trak https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armatron https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armatron Less-known were electronics parts mail-order catalogs with sections of assemble-it-yourself small robot kits (not much more than a PCB, components to solder, and some motors), like: light-seeking robots, line-following robots, Logo-style turtle graphics pen robots. And occasionally a magazine would have an article a homebrew robot that some teen had built. To kids with access to scrap wood, garage sale appliances to strip for parts, and the occasional Radio Shack or mail-order component purchase, these homebrew robots seemed more accessible than ones costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.

derwiki 3y ago
Armatron! Wow I had one of those and totally forgot about it.

Juraph 3y ago

Not in the same decade, but I attribute a non-zero part of my robotics obsession to a friend's cybot (http://lpilsley.co.uk/cybot/ http://lpilsley.co.uk/cybot/). I remember being amazed at it following a line, and always wanted the magazines. Tragically, it was long discontinued by the time I discovered it. Every now and then I think about trying to get my hands on a collection and following along. I'd love to find out if there is anything in there that I haven't yet learned, despite working with robots professionally...

AstroJetson 3y ago

I had a Topo from Androbot. The prior owner didn't understand how to program it, so I got it at a discount. I kept the motor drivers, etc and replaced the brain with a CP/M machine that I could move programs on a floppy to it. It was a struggle, but it was fun to work on. Or maybe not, we were giving a party and someone asked about the robot and asked if it had a name. My young son piped up "I know it's name, it's called "F*cking Robot". The poster above me mentioned the Armatron. A few days ago I pulled one out of the "Closet of Doom". It still works! It went back into the closet with a disapproving spouse look.