QUESTION: What are the PC Requirements for programming my robot or controller?

ANSWER: You can program Mekatronix^TM Robots with any PC that has a serial port and that can run DOS. If you have a Windows or Windows 95 PC, you can use the Windows software instead of the DOS software.

With a little more effort, you can use a Macintosh computer instead of a DOS computer.

QUESTION: Does the robot stay connected to the Computer?

ANSWER: NO. You download the complete program to the robotís on-board computer (MSCC11E2 or other). When finished the robot moves about on its own.

Having an on-board computer is much better than having a PC beaming signals directly to the robot, since the robot could get out of range or confuse other signals or interference with its instructions. A tether is out of the questions since that limits the robot's freedom as well as create a tripping danger. Also, you can have groups of people share one computer for many robots as opposed to using one computer per robot.

QUESTION: What level of education are the TJ^TM robot kits suited for?

ANSWER: The TJ is suited for the middle school level through the post graduate university level. The robot teaches more and more as the user learns and grows.

Here are some suggested levels:

Novice: Pre-assembled & tested TJ robot w/ accessories. Behavior Software modules. Pre-installed software program.

Basic: Pre-assembled & tested TJ robot w/ accessories. Behavior Software modules. Basic Programming Language.

Intermediate: Partially-assembled & tested TJ robot w/ accessories. Behavior Software modules. Programming Languages: Basic, IC

Semi-Advanced: Unassembled TJ robot w/ accessories. Behavior Software modules. Programming Languages: Basic, C, Assembly

Advanced: Unassembled TJ robot w/ accessories. Programming Languages: Basic, C, Assembly

Expert: Unassembled TJ robot w/ unassembled accessories. Extra Sensors & memory expansion. Programming Languages: Basic, C, Assembly, Forth

QUESTION: What level of education are the TALRIK^TM robot kits suited for?

The Talrik^TM is suited for the high-school level through post graduate university level and also the industry research level.

Expert: Unassembled Talrik^TM robot w/ unassembled accessories. Extra Sensors, microcontrollers, memory expansion, Robot arm additions, etc. Programming Languages: Basic, C, Assembly, Forth

QUESTION: What is Projective Reality^TM or Projection Reality^TM?

Answer: Projection Reality refers to the live virtual feeling one gets when one mounts a "live" video or CCD camera on a robot, airplane, or other device. One's reality and senses are projected on to the device.