TetherBot
Built 1999
TetherBot was my platform for experimenting with genetic algorithms. Connected to a Windows NT machine via a 25-foot RJ-45 tether, it could learn behaviors like escaping its playpen through evolutionary computation.
Specifications
| Chassis | Radio Shack 6"x4" Project Box |
|---|---|
| Power | Tethered to PC power supply via unused wires in RJ-45 cable (+5VDC and ground) |
| Movement | 2 hacked Futaba 3003 servos with voltage divider mod (2x 2.2k resistors) |
| Sensors | 2 Hi-Output IR LEDs and 1 Sharp 40 kHz IR Receiver Module |
| CPU / OS | Windows NT, Visual Basic 5.0/6.0 with DriverLINX for I/O access |
Notes
Connected via 25' RJ-45 cable to PC parallel port. Used for genetic algorithm testing - teaching the robot to escape its playpen and repeat what it learned.