Of Robots, Electronics and Software
I consider myself fortunate. I have a room that's my own, full of computers, electronic junk and tools. I spend far too much time in this room (just ask my wife), but its my retreat from my alternate existence as a project engineer in the oil business. What started out as a diversion to get me through the long, dark winter has turned into a passion. I love to make things that do something. Robots and microcontrollers became the vehicles that make it all work.
The laboratory.
Robots have always been the core of this work, but, in fact, I am constantly diverted into associated tasks that take on lives of their own. I have spent far too much time getting RF communications operational - but now its working. I spent way too much time getting Lithium batteries operational - now they power my bot. I have built a home power monitor, Xmas light controllers, a Quick Draw target timer, bar code reader, wireless RF compost heap temperature transmitter, a microcontroller development board, a balancing robot, etc, etc. I woke up one night with the Serial RAM idea and developed my Mailbox uC communication system. I can generally have an operational design with a weeks hard part time effort. I enjoy writing articles about these projects as each one is it's own adventure. I had played around with electronics a a kid and have been working on, and programming, computers since the Radio Shack Model I days. Most of what I know, however, I have picked up on my own over the last 6 years by doing.
Robotics is an excellent hobby. I would highly recommend it to anyone, but especially to kids of high school age who could turn it into a career (yes, we will all have a robot someday!).
Tips and Techniques (Under Development)
Controlled chaos!