"I have been using the SensorTrak system for about a
month now and it is GREAT. It offers great flexibility in that I can position
the sensors anywhere and use them for any imaginable purpose. For instance, I
have mounted them on my robot, gypsy, and I can detect obstacles while turning,
going forwards or even while backing up. The sensors are easily assembled and
are totally modular. I can use anywhere from 1 to 8 sensors at a time (reducing
power requirements). I could also replace my current ultrasonic sensors with
other types (bump sensors, IR) and I am even working on plugging in a line
sensor for a new project. Finally, the service at FUSION Robotics is wonderful. Dave is a
real professional and if you happen to find an issue, he'll help you fix it
'right up'. He has been very responsive to my questions and always gives me
great answers and ideas. I give SensorTrak 5 stars."
Joe Spears - Robot Enthusiast, programmer, inventor.
* * *
"The best demonstration of third party software
extensibility for the ER1 that I have seen to date is Strabo Pathfinder. Strabo
is the latest product of Dave Evartt of FUSION Robotics, "davee" to forum
readers. Known for his SensorTrak board and broad array of supported sensors,
Dave has significantly enhanced Wehali's product line with the release of this
software gem. Strabo Pathfinder is a fully-realized marriage of accurate map
creation features, sophisticated route-generation algorithms, and
industry-standard server technologies that provide remote access to map and
route data, all in a compact, robot-independent GUI package. You provide the
"glue" between Strabo and the ER1 through code you craft in VB, Python, or any
language of your choice, commanding and guiding the ER1 with accurate routing
information provided by the Strabo web server. This is an extremely
sophisticated piece of software, virtually impossible to find elsewhere,
especially at the incredible sub-$100 price point at which it's sold. Strabo
will dramatically enhance any ER1 experience, and given its robot-independence,
will easily grow beyond the ER1. Besides, Dave is just a good guy, quick to
answer questions and prompt to correct any problems you may experience. If you
program your own robot, you owe it to yourself to take a look at Strabo Pathfinder."
Kevin Lincoln
* * *
It's
apps like this that will make a huge difference in the way we think about
robots, I have been wondering what the next big thing will be and I think that
"intelligent" robotics will be a big part of that.
Having recently purchased my ER-1 and playing with
its current features, there were areas that, once the novelty had wore off, were
missing to make a"complete" robot. That piece being the ability to move around
within an environment in an intelligent way. This is where "Strabo Pathfinder"
enters the picture. Having used the trial version for a day or so, it
became immediately apparent that there was huge potential here, giving me
the ability to make my robot move around in an environment in an intelligent
manner. The GUI interface is extremely simple to use, the web interface >makes
retrieving data from Strabo very easy. After only a day, and with a
minimal amount of programming experience, I was able to get data from Strabo and
have my robot navigate around. Regardless of the robotics platform, Strabo can
make any robot "better" and "smarter". This software would be a good buy at
twice the price.
Rick Howarth