Bit about my time in London (long), and some good news :)

[bsodmike]

Awesome

But what does Marv actually do?

If you checked the vids, all I did there was to test if I got the inverse kinematics right, i.e. the process by which the wheel velocities are obtained from its cartesian pose. Of course, a local frame of reference exists and a 'real' world frame of reference exists as well. This is all that is demonstrated in the video, where I command it to travel along each wheel shaft...and it does, without any on-board closed loop feedback.

Had I more time to work on it (and didn't fall ill etc), plans were in place to implement PI control over the motors and link-in my 'funky' means for navigation that is ideally suited for an omni-directional robot. The mini-ITX mobo, and kit was also ready to sit on top running Linux; easy way to develop the high-level control software.

The problem I am facing at the moment with my paper is in writing up the section on results, as the robot is back at the department. I am looking at simulations to provide the data I need now.

[bsodmike]

Watch out Hexus bsodmike will be buying £10 watches and pens bsodmike think happy nice watches lol Also congrats!!!!

Never!!... LOL. Thanks for the kind words AledJ.

Funny isn't it? I'd go all out on my pens, watches, and other collecting fetishes but go well stingy on a bench PSU. I guess it all depends on how one justifies things.

[Salazaar]

Mike, your robot seems to be missing some bits...





Congrats!

[schmunk]

The doctors confirmed that I had contracted 'Labrynthitis' and I think the worst thing I did was to peruse WebMD when I started to feel a bit better. After about a week, I could just about look at a chair that was 3-4 ft away - anything more and my head felt like it would explode.

I am sorry to read about your debilitating illness, but unfortunately cannot shake the following from my head...:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjoYzLBp34o

[unreal]

Wow congratulations, inspiring to hear! Well deserved chap

[bsodmike]

Since making quite a bit of progress on the journal paper (draft, for now) based on my thesis, I've posted a 'pruned' version (64 pages) of my MSc dissertation on Scribd. As per the requirements, the bound report included exactly 150 pages with appendices.

7CEMM721 Final MSc (Dist) Thesis Report (Michael M. Wijetunge de Silva) ~ Distribution Version

"This research describes the design and development of a fully scalable electronic architecture, implementing a control system for an Omni-directional drive system to autonomously regulate its position, heading, and velocity based on feedback from on-board sensors whilst operating in conjunction with a navigation system, incorporating a novel application of CAD/CAM tools so as to allow the robot to exhibit autonomous behaviour to a degree of sophistication."

Hope someone finds this of some interest

[bsodmike]

Thought I'd just mention that I received my degree certificate little over a week back. It's got a funky KCL hologram sticker on it. Hoping to find sometime from my gunpla modelling to take it for framing.

Finally managed to shrink my 2-page CV down to a single page as well

[no_numb]

Congratulations

I kind of know what its like to have to wait ages as I was ill and I had to wait till the next year to do an exam. So now am in the year behind all my friends.

[menthel]

Mike, you have been busy! Recieving the certificate is always nice, it really does finalise thing!

[narz]

Nicee, was just scrolling through your paper on the website... totally mind boggling formulas on there!

[bsodmike]

Mike, you have been busy! Receiving the certificate is always nice, it really does finalise thing!

Thanks Jim; am positively looking towards a first 'proper' job now

@no_numb: Cheers mate. BTW, I replied your comment in this thread. Even if at first you feel out of sorts, especially since most of your mates are a level above you, don't let it get to you too much. Sadly, this stuff happens and you can only look forward; just remind yourself why you *are* there in the first place.

Also make sure you submit the required mitigating circumstances forms for any illness, as the departments only take you seriously if the Uni doctors sign off on any medical forms, and can help you obtain any extensions if needed.

[bsodmike]

Nicee, was just scrolling through your paper on the website... totally mind boggling formulas on there!

The 'distribution version' is only 50% of the content of the full report; and as such is missing all the interesting mind boggling formulas. Now if only I can cease procrastinating, aka modelling gundam + World of Warcraft, and bring my paper to a conclusion.

[no_numb]

Thanks Jim; am positively looking towards a first 'proper' job now

@no_numb: Cheers mate. BTW, I replied your comment in this thread. Even if at first you feel out of sorts, especially since most of your mates are a level above you, don't let it get to you too much. Sadly, this stuff happens and you can only look forward; just remind yourself why you *are* there in the first place.

Also make sure you submit the required mitigating circumstances forms for any illness, as the departments only take you seriously if the Uni doctors sign off on any medical forms, and can help you obtain any extensions if needed.

Cheers I've had a pretty tough year but I have now done the exam and I start back in a week and a half. It is tough as you're kind of in limbo. It is annoying with mates all ahead of me but at least they have done the work and I can get help if i need it. Luckily I was only ill for a couple of months but it has impacted on over a year.

Again well done on your degree you must be thrilled after a such a long time to finally have closure on it.

[bsodmike]

Luckily I was only ill for a couple of months but it has impacted on over a year.

It is quite frustrating how the consequences tend to be counted in multiples of years though. At least it sounds like you're back on track now and all the best with your studies.

Of course, I am thankful that my bout of illness did not affect me during the examination periods of my course, only towards 'dissertation time'. It would have been far far worse if I had fallen ill earlier. One can at least 'work' on a dissertation whilst in bed - exams, not so much

[London]

Congrats from me too