[sandman300]

Sorry about last month. I got busy with other projects and I sortof forgot to post in the final thred. Its ok, I only have myself to blame. Anyway, it was the push I needed to learn UV mapping.

On to this challange...

I was contemplating what to do for this comp. (I like doing things a little different than the norm), I remembered an idea (althow I cant remember where it is from... poss Azmov's Robots of Dawn) a flying insect controle robot. In other words a robot that hunts down and kills designated flying insects. Im basing the design on a hummingbird... the pic below is what Im drawing my refrence from. I have a basic idea in my head about the look but Im going to need to build it to work out the mechanical functionality.

[zostix]

IOnteresting idea, cant wait to see some work

[Zeeman]

that's pretty unique!

[sandman300]

The concept that I have in mind would use currently available technology. Im working out the design, and Im trying to decide what way to go as far as the bug killing device. Im stuck between two options, either a laser or a nedle like that would impale the bug and the to make sure the bug is 86ed a electric charge (low volt, high amp) fries the sucker. the nedle would be retractable. Im trying to figure out which option would be less power consuming.

[sandman300]

Some progress that Ive made.

[sandman300]

Well, Ive finally gotten some progress done. The big challange for me is to leave the inner workings exposed. Ive been working over different ideas for the structures that drive the workings of the robot. I would like to think that given the propper power source, and programing; this robot is possible. Well, back to work.

[sandman300]

progress.

[sandman300]

detail.

[colto]

Looks pretty good. Interesting design!

[Funky Bunnies]

You've got by far, I think, one of my favorite concepts in this competition. The detail you've put inside the body and with the pistons is very nice- though the colors are a bit too vibrant for me to really distinguish the detail and shadows etc…making it difficult to critique to any level. The main thing I don't like about this, though, is how you went about the wings. It is mechanical, yes, but not very creative and it doesn’t completely reflect the anatomy of the hummingbird the way I would personally like (all of this is simply IMHO, of course). I would create your hinges in respect to the true anatomy of this animal. I would model them more after this. I would also set up a more complex rig for those wings, it just overall looks too basic- perhaps it is just the colors, though.

I really like this concept I just think you need to rethink your wings, I could see you doing much better things for them. If nothing else, I think adding some wires and/or pistons, hydraulics, etc. around the wings in some way. I just don’t see precisely how the wings would function. Good luck on this, I think you’ll do a bang-up job if you make those wings a bit more interesting to the eyes. I look forward to seeing it progress.

[edit: I don't know how I missed your progress earlier...]

[sandman300]

First, thanks for the crits. I wanted to make something that was completely different. The nature of the beast (pun intended) made it necessary to include the small details. At the same time I'm working to keep the concept simple and clean.

Funky Bunnies,
The colors were only because I was board. Oh, and to help me distinguish the continuous parts. Once I've got it completely modeled I'll go back and texture it. For you I will make it grey.

The wings, I designed with functionality in mind. I thought about making the wings more like the real birds (and I still may if I can put together a design thats functional). After working on the landing gear (legs), Ive been rethinking the wings. I'll see what I come up with.

All the smaller details ( wires, ect), are going to be modeled last. It will make it easier for routing and tiedowns.

The legs, I plan to be retractable.

PS: Next up the feet. :p

[sandman300]

I spent a couple of hours modeling and watching TLC.

[sandman300]

Close up detail, cable driven articulation.

[sandman300]

On the bottom of the foot joints, I modeled rubber pads with gold electronic contacts for recharge and software update.

It is starting to come together. more to come.

[Pony]

very cool feet. and nice uses of the gold..

not sure if this makes any sence but I see little wires going in to the side of the box that the contacts are atached to.. but on the next one in line I don't see the wires continuing through.. know what I meen ?