I had the idea to use the TSL230R as a clock signal. It converts light intensity into a digital frequency. The more light the faster the signal. Here is the datasheet. It has a neat feature that lets you adjust the sensitivity and scale the output down. I drew up a schematic in my note book that uses jumpers to set the scaling pins high or low to allow me to possibly adjust a robots behavior.

My idea is to use this as a way to give the robot an actual need for more light other than using solar power. The robot will be able to move around more when it’s bright out. This could also be used on a photophobe making it speed up and get away from light even faster. I’m not using these to replace the normal light sensors. I’m going to use them to locate light while the TSL230R will be either on top or in front of the bot.

This one is a classic. This is one of the most complex BEAM robots out there. I really want to make one of these or at least some variation of it. Chances are most people have seen or read about this bot but for completeness I’m going to post it here.

Welcome to the new and improved Skitters website!
I actually had forgotten about this site and when I looked at it today I was kind of disappointed in both my wording and lack of knowledge of electronics. At one point a made a robot I called fotovore and in my description I said, “Fotovore is a very simple fotovore.” Yah... that was sad.. I can’t believe I put that.

So I’m making this new site. The site will have a scrapbook of random ideas and trust me I have some random ideas. I’m going to post links to robots completed by other people that I think are cool. I’ll also post some of my robots and schematics. I might even post random cool stuff. I’m a biology major and fascinated by life in general and in robotics we should draw inspiration from what nature gives us.