[chbot] Robotics Group meeting, 5 Idris Rd, 630pm, Monday 21 Aug 2023 report

[Mark Atherton]

Hello everyone,

Good turnout with 22 attendees, and lots of huddles-of tech-talk. $23 + 
change (in gold, and flat-money) collected and transferred into the 
robotics loose-change jar (for later banking).

All sales from the trading table should go into the brown box on the 
wall, and are directly for the benefit of our host club, Christchurch 
Amateur Radio Club, NZART Branch 05.

Equipment donations are welcome for the trading table, but no CRT based 
product, printers, toner or items that are likely to be a disposal burden.

With thanks on behalf of the group,

Mark Atherton

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Several months ago David Closey donated a whole pile of goodies to the 
Robotics Group; these have been auctioned for just over $160 by the 
Radio club. $140 has been given to Hanno Sander as a contribution 
towards his continued registration of kiwibots.org. The remaining $20 
can be used for new whiteboard marker pens and associated consumables. 
Thank you David for allowing this to happen.

Mark started the evening by talking about a large home-made four-digit, 
7 segment display inspired by previous work done by William. Each 
segment is illuminated using a single SK9822 RGB smart LED. These 
devices are controlled using a clock and a data line, and are 
considerably easier to communicate with than the single-wire, self 
clocking WS2812 devices. A 30mm high light guide was laser-cut from high 
density EVA foam. Diffuser is made from tracing paper, and presentation 
surface from black-painted 3mm MDF. Also lots of help from Graham.

Mark also mentioned a couple of interesting pieces on YouTube including 
an interview with Mark Himelstein from RISC-V International by the 
Computer History Museum. Also, a comprehensive collection of videos 
about the WWII V2/A4 rocket were noted from 'V2 Rocket History.com'

Andy G updated the group with his adventures in his Electric Vehicle 
world. He is (safely) working his way around a recently acquired 
written-off Tesla, including battery.

Charlie talked about the art of cave-surveying, and a solution he 
crafted in software that may be applicable to allow visualisation of 
acquired data.

William talked about his home-made Narrow Band TV monitor using a 1” 
CRT. Design is based on an NBTV.com design and still needs a little work

Bevin talked about some if the intricacies associated with one of his 
mechanical calculator mechanisms.

Michael talked about his new AR glasses, and associated software 
allowing a true stereo heads up display while riding his unicycle. What 
could possibly go wrong ? :)