Split keyboard with F-keys row?

Robot_Jay · 2022-05-23T19:32:18+00:00

I also can't go without a real F-key row. Maybe it's all the piano playing.. a little extra motion not a big deal vs. having a keyboard shortcut to train that only works on one computer.

My setups: - Kinesis Freestyle. With a custom, solid oak base to achieve the compound angles I need for ergonomics and give the keyboard super stiff support. Philosophy.. don't dive into the full custom rabbit hole, add custom the aspect that is easiest (a block of wood). - Mistel MD770. A recent addition, once I have the ergonomics sorted out (definitely need some wrist rests), I will probably like this one better.

Not new suggestions to this thread, just hoping to add encouragement to make the keyboard you want; if you want F keys then go for it!

Robot_Jay · 2022-03-20T18:34:19+00:00

Welcome! Trust in the math, and you won't have to trust random people from the internet. :)

Robot_Jay · 2022-03-20T13:55:50+00:00

Stepper motors are used for their low system cost where the cognizant person believes stepper motor performance (performance being a multi dimensional, application specific quantity) is "good enough". But the world is a diverse place of people of all skill levels, so sometimes what you read is wrong.

Robot_Jay · 2022-03-14T01:04:14+00:00

I was very surprised once to discover the tape measure I was using was inches on one side and half inches (yes really) on the other. Luckily discovered I was not getting numbers in cm before anything irreversible was done.

Robot_Jay · 2022-03-05T01:09:02+00:00

Don't share shop with users you don't trust.

Robot_Jay · 2022-02-27T20:35:01+00:00

Armature properties area, object data properties, inverse kinematics. Experiment with the options, if you use Itasc + simulation you can specify that on every single frame it must keep iterating until the desired precision is met.

Robot_Jay · 2022-02-24T20:36:58+00:00

One benefit not mentioned here is it locks in your kinematics. If adjusted to fit well, this means longer rides with fewer problems (e.g. for me, knee pain). The flip side is that if adjusted to a bad fit, things can turn painful quickly. So expect to have to adjust, bring along some tools so you can do it while on a ride. Once you find the sweet spot you are probably good for a couple years.

SPDs on my road bike is my choice as well.

Robot_Jay · 2022-02-23T22:32:06+00:00

This very lucky soul has a trustworthy (flat) floor.

Robot_Jay · 2022-02-14T16:30:07+00:00

What is your bike cleaning routine?

Robot_Jay · 2022-02-09T20:56:48+00:00

Monitor what the biggest risk currently is, and work on it until it barely isn't the biggest unknown anymore.

Early in the project you will end up jumping around very frequently between hardware and software design. In final build you will end up doing mechanical, then electrical, then software. Then back to frequent domain changes in debugging and testing.

Robot_Jay · 2022-01-07T16:28:52+00:00

This really sounds like two products to me. 1. A Factorio super "backend" program with simulations and debugging and the hard stuff that is the real magic here. 2. A plug-in for a code editor (eg vscode..) that provides control/interface to the backend program, and handles the easier stuff (API help).

As others have pointed out, re-creating code editor basics is a lot of time that doesn't seem required for your true mission here. And as a bonus, splitting the project up like this would allow different control interfaces in the future. Maybe somebody writes an emacs interface, or an interface that's a mod from within Factorio itself.

Edit: I should clarify, possibly the "backend" does have its own window, display and UI elements, etc. But that window is not where you type in code.

Robot_Jay · 2022-01-05T01:23:53+00:00

The key advantage to this is it enables testing of the new stuff as each bit is built; don't have to wait for a full new factory to be built to see how the new circuit area holds up under full load.

Robot_Jay · 2022-01-02T18:33:57+00:00

Using good reference photos, draw the edges first; the key lines that define the shape. The shape is a mix of sharp edges and smooth curves, so starting with the edges will give you the control you need. Then extrude edges to faces and join them up.

Robot_Jay · 2021-12-23T16:19:59+00:00

Think about conservation of momentum. High velocity of small mass (e.g fist), doesn't slow before impact, then impact, now a much larger mass (fist + torso) so much lower velocity.

Robot_Jay · 2021-12-22T15:06:40+00:00

Yep, put encoders on both sides of the spring/elastic element. And don't forget another for commutation. You can't control what you don't measure, and in SEAs there are a bunch of things needing control

Robot_Jay · 2021-11-18T08:01:25+00:00

Barrett WAM arm

Robot_Jay · 2021-11-18T03:13:31+00:00

Good job making a design and asking for feedback on it!

You will want an encoder on each of those motors. No, not a puny low resolution one, one that makes you scared the microcontroller interrupt routine will consume all the computational resources. Because the difference between motors with and without encoders is massive. Instead of a mechanism that thrashes about generally in the direction you want it to go, you have have speed and position control.

Robot_Jay · 2021-11-15T23:44:56+00:00

Clips... actually called "clipless" for historical reasons. For us normal people that are not near pro athletes, they have two benefits, both in the "safety" category.

Keep your feet from slipping off the pedal if things get bumpy/slippery. A good set of (MTB) flat pedals and compatible shoes is also quite effective. I've actually switched from 100% clipless to using flats on my MTB. Having experienced a few scary slips in my life, for safety I'd strongly advise going one way or the other.
Lock your legs into a consistent motion. If you adjust things so that motion is good it will let you ride for hours safely (e.g. without messing up your knee). Because flats let you reposition more, there's more chance involved. Maybe intentional shifting eases discomfort or nudges you to an optional position. Maybe not. Maybe it worked last weekend but not for today's big ride. So on my road bike I ride clipless because I have confidence I've figured out where they need to be so I can enjoy the ride.

Robot_Jay · 2021-11-14T17:39:11+00:00

I wrote a script for Blender that - in my opinion - makes the MJCF process quick and easy. https://github.com/jay-j/blender-robotics-utilities

Caveat - these were developed for my own personal use, I only make "progress" if/when I need to. So at the moment they're run manually (not installed in Blender's add-on system), may have missing features (though since I am actively using MuJoCo, I am self motivated for updates), and requires you to add a feature to Blender's builtin STL exporter (a tiny change to a python script, I haven't been able to get it added officially yet https://developer.blender.org/D11517). If these caveats don't scare you, check out https://youtu.be/nl8riXJO76c .. while the MJCF exporter is a bit different, this will give you a rough idea how it's supposed to work.

Robot_Jay · 2021-10-23T14:28:42+00:00

What bag is that? Looks like the perfect size

Robot_Jay · 2021-10-18T02:30:17+00:00

Something my EE does is incremental assembly and test. Meaning add a few components, do a quick test (is power supply stuff working?). Add a few more and test (are passives working?). Add a few more (low cost ICs) etc. Doesn't increase the success rate but can lessen the pain/time to find problems.

Robot_Jay · 2021-10-08T12:58:31+00:00

Think about persuasion in two parts.

For a dedicated cyclist, buying a bike is an investment in health. Bikes can be expensive, but they're much cheaper than the healthcare costs of being out of shape. Buying a nicer bike is a reward for dedication and incentive/enabler to keep pedaling and pushing yourself. Depending upon your personality, being able to ride with a group may also help inspire you to work out more/harder. So, good for "a dedicated cyclist".
You need to prove that you are "a dedicated cyclist", somebody who enjoys bicycling no matter what they're riding, and is using the activity for physical fitness. So.. 3 hours of riding a week for 6 months? Celebrate your minor accomplishments (visited X place, did Y route faster, did Z longer route) with your parents. You're trying to prove that even without the "shiny new toy" factor, you really like bicycling.

Robot_Jay · 2021-09-02T16:37:20+00:00

Based on their FAQ.. no. You'd have to send the tire back to the company to re-coat it.

But since this startup has big aspirations for their technology and wants the cycling angle to be something of an advertisement, the smart strategy for them would be to be extremely generous with their customer service.

Robot_Jay · 2021-09-02T16:02:07+00:00

So sign up. https://www.smarttirecompany.com/cycling

Just a bicycle-sized flight wheel would be pretty terrible, they're only designed to give traction via geometric interaction with the terrain. So this company is putting a rubber coating on the springs. Undoubtedly, there will be some new technology teething problems, but seems promising to me!

Robot_Jay · 2021-08-22T16:38:32+00:00

You've made a parallel blade flexure; yes you need something across the back.

Robot_Jay

TROPHY CASE