-- JukkaRaisamo? - 30 May 2007

Progress: May 23 2007

• Physical implementation of the project is taking it's first steps:
  • I ordered some fairly cheap pancake style vibrating DC motors from Europe so that it wont't be necessary to tear the panaWalk proto into parts. Based on the rough specs available the first model is 12 mm x 4 mm and 2.5-4V @ 70mA, and the other one is 10 mm x 3 mm, 3V @ 70mA.
  • I've been looking for a USB data acquisition card that could be connected straight into my laptop (or any other computer) to drive the actuators. After some discussions and searching, I've selected the one from Measurement Computing that has 8 analog outputs (+-10V) and 8 digital inputs/outputs. More information about the device can be found here.
  • The reason for selecting the analog output card is that it gives possibility to use, e.g., C2 tactors or other more sophisticated actuators. In the future there may be need for analog input channels as well, but I don't want to think about that too much at this point.
  • It seems - or I've been told - that I'd need an amplifier as well. Making one by myself (with Li's friendly consultation) sounds like a nice idea. It mustn't be too hard to come up with an initial prototype with this one.

• They'll have a board meeting for the project at Tampere this Friday 25th (2am PST). I'll be writing some slides about the sleeve for that and publish those also here at some point during Thu 24.
• By next Wed I try to come up with a more detailed research plan with some previous knowledge on sensory saltation and tactile apparent movement.

Comments:

-- Based on last remote meeting, Mark suggested that learning how to use some simple sensors would not be a bad idea.%ENDCOMMENT%

-- Li recommended using Phidgets platform to read the sensor data.%ENDCOMMENT%

-- After having discussed with Li, I ended up to go after another DAQ card, Measurement Computing USB-3112, that has larger output current and better slew rate due to its external power supply.%ENDCOMMENT%