7.09.15

Thesis

I am still working on my results chapter, I am finding it one of the most interesting elements of the project as its great to actually see everything pulled together so to speak. I hope that this work is as interesting to me as it is to others. I am also considering keeping the same internal referencing structure for this chapter as the previous, I think its a nice simple way to find your way around the thesis rather then just vaguely referring to something I said over 200 pages ago.  

Model

I have fitted the head with its own power pack, this is only temporary so it is fixed with sticky velcro tape. I eventually want to head to be attached to a body of some description so I will need to think about weight ratios and the battery packs weigh a considerable amount so it best the I make them removable at this stage. That said it is easier having a portable power supply on the head at this current stage of the build. I have also finished the new control system and inserted two relays into the top of the chassis, it fits really well and the lights look kinda cool. I will record a video of the new control system working when I am next at uni as the light is better in the studio and you can see all the bits more clearly.  

I am getting used to the external covering of the robot now and it has sort of grown on me a bit. I added some decal and purchased some nice black flat head hex bolts to connect it to the aluminium framework and it has made it look more aesthetically pleasing. I also watched chappie for the first time today and I could sort of bits of my robot reflected in some of the special effects in that film so it was kind of interesting to see the dynamics of the vfx and fx in the film. It also made me think that I need to name the robot, it is something that people continuously ask me and I have not even thought about it yet. The E.M.S 30-02 was simply a sort of bar code name I cam up with using my daughter name Edith Margo Strathearn and I was 30 when I made it and she was 2...anyway I am going to start thinking about a name for the model. 

Feelings: I feel happy at the moment, I think the projects are starting to come into their own and I can see the end in sight. There is still lots of work to be down yet but I am up for the challenge and will continue to keep pushing until I have reached above and beyond my original goals.

Evaluation: The new control system is really working well and its nice to see the robot going through its different stages. I have currently just made the jaw the primary target for this system as it was stated in some of my interviews that lip sync is one of the most difficult elements to get right and I think with refinements to my audio trigger in conjunction with the new controller may eventually present a pretty accurate voice tracking system. 

Analysis: The current situation of the project makes sense but I am becoming increasing away of time frame. There is still lots to be done on both elements of the project and I really need to start focusing on getting over these hurdles one step at a time to keep this project on track. 

Conclusion: I conclusion this session has been a very good and informative one, the new control system works a charm and the robot is starting to look very much like a robot so all good.

Action Plan: I need to get a video of the new control system recorded next time I am in uni and I am going to watch some more robot films as it was quiet inspiring to see how other create robots for film.