3D Robotics Controller Field Trials

[samworthington]

For the last few years we have been developing the http://www.worthingtonsharpe.com3D computer input device and one of the applications we are keen to explore is robotics control.

You can see from the attached photograph that the device looks a bit like a computer mouse. However, the upper part pitches, rolls, and moves vertically, and there is yaw control through the bar slung underneath. This offer 4-axis joystick features for manual control. The lower part contains a high-end mouse sensor to allow precision pointer control.

We expect to have a small batch ready for field trials in the next few months, and are looking for people to loan the device in order to test it with their UAV system. If you think you can help then I'd love to hear from you.
There are more details on the Worthington Sharpe website (http://www.worthingtonsharpe.com), and a Youtube animation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j-6cAzrrso) explaining the features.

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need further details.

[jwatte]

How is this different from a Sixense Cyberman or Puck type control?

[samworthington]

All the way through the development we wanted to make sure we didn't loose the advantages that make the standard mouse the best pointing device for many applications.

The Logitech Cyberman is probably based on similar ideas, but use a fixed base with potentiometers for the X-Y movements.

Puck-style devices are good for some functions, but you don't get the precision linear mapping of the movement to the pointer, like you do with a mouse or our Wing device.

Sixense devices have their own benefits but holding a device in the air is not ideal for long periods of use.

Our device has benefits where you want the combination of mouse-like precision, and full 3D joystick control. I think there is some potential here for use with some robotic applications, but I want to hear from experts in the field, but I want to see what the experts think.