Then I saw the light: mechatronics engineering.
In fact, if I were to do mobile IP connected autonomous robotic systems, I could combine the best of my telecommunications engineering and the absolute best of mechatronics engineering.
Of course, I am working on a Selective Laser Reactive 3D printer - a RepRap alike robot to print 3D objects from UV curing resin. But this is a static, sits on your desk, looks cool, does stuff, practical kind of robot.
What about some fun?
Enter stage left, Turnigy's "Heavy Aerial Lift" (HAL) platform. Jason got this as a "cool toy." I admit, it is a cool toy. But its also something else to me - a research project. Andrew did a Software Defined Radio UHF repeater for his engineering report for his electrical engineering bachelors degree. He used an Ettus USRP. Oh, but I have plans...
Theres a shot of the HAL on Jasons kitchen bench. As you can see, average Turnigy quadcopter. Jason tells me those are 7 inch plastic rotors, 1,000kV motors, an ESC on each strut (one with power for the computer), a HobbyKing Arduino based computer and 2.4GHz R/C system, and not much else.
Theres some big plans - stay tuned. But these plans won't be happening fast, in fact, it'll be rather slow. Some of the hardware is just now becoming available, and the software is nowhere near developed enough to use. But keep with me, I want to fly this sucker, under complete mobile IP control...!
