352 |
to retain their position. |
to retain their position. |
353 |
|
|
354 |
We must stress that |
We must stress that |
355 |
this constoller is still very much work in progress; |
this controller is still very much work in progress; |
356 |
we are constantly experimenting with |
we are constantly experimenting with |
357 |
more advanced controllers for this application. |
more advanced controllers for this application. |
358 |
The results |
The results |
469 |
With some more effort, ergonomic handles of any imaginable shape |
With some more effort, ergonomic handles of any imaginable shape |
470 |
can also be created by covering |
can also be created by covering |
471 |
LEGO bricks with air-hardening |
LEGO bricks with air-hardening |
472 |
modelling paste, as in [ref-figpaste1]_. |
modelling paste, as in Fig. [ref-figpaste1]_. |
473 |
|
|
474 |
.. figure:: paste1.jpg |
.. figure:: paste1.jpg |
475 |
:width: 7.5cm |
:width: 7.5cm |
485 |
Conclusion |
Conclusion |
486 |
========== |
========== |
487 |
|
|
488 |
The most important contribution of this article is |
The most important contribution of this article is the simple |
489 |
|
interface between LEGO bricks and an optomechanical computer mouse, |
490 |
|
which alters the economics of creating custom controllers. |
491 |
|
|
492 |
|
There are several positive attributes to our approach: |
493 |
|
prototyping new controllers is cheap, in the region of $30-$100 |
494 |
|
per controller. Controllers are easy to build and the parts |
495 |
|
are reusable. |
496 |
|
When using USB mice, it is possible to attach as many controllers |
497 |
|
as desired to a single computer and the controllers are easy |
498 |
|
to use programmatically e.g. in Linux. |
499 |
|
Additionally, this approach is able to tap a hidden resource: |
500 |
|
a considerable fraction of scientists and students actually *do* |
501 |
|
have previous experience with LEGO bricks. And of course, |
502 |
|
building controllers is both fun and motivating. |
503 |
|
|
504 |
|
|
|
Pros: |
|
|
|
|
|
- cheap |
|
|
- easy to build |
|
|
- reusable parts |
|
|
- USB -> can attach as many as we want, simple to use |
|
|
programmatically e.g. in Linux |
|
|
- taps to several scientists' hidden background in LEGO building. |
|
|
- fun, motivating |
|
|
|
|
505 |
Cons: |
Cons: |
506 |
|
|
507 |
- weak (legos may break apart) |
- weak (legos may break apart) |