MINDS-i, Tough, Strong, Universal!
October 24, 2007
After I won third place with Mean Puppy in Lego Sumo, I headed over to the neighboring booth, MINDS-i. At first I was skeptical, okay it was not robotics, but like most other booths I stopped by to see what was going on. Mike Marzetta, inventor of MINDS-i, came up to me, and started explaining his ideas for his creation. Something kept me there at the booth; maybe it was his nice personality, maybe the pure coolness of this new invention!
He started by showing me the Buggy:
Then he showed me a rock crawler. At this point it grabbed me: the rock crawler had a Pro-Line body and 2.2 official rock crawling Pro-Line wheels and tires!
I’ve been waiting for a product where you can use other brands parts, and are not controlled by the company!
If you look at the above picture you can see white “loops” for stock 7.2 volt batteries for power, just above the axels! Not only does this let the robot/RC car have a low CG for climbing, you can use the old 7.2 packs that are on the workbench; NO need to buy “MINDS-i” battery packs (if you don’t have any batteries, just buys yours from MINDS-i)!
Look at this picture:
Stock servos, too!
It all did not set in until I handled the 6 wheel base:
(Notice the Futaba plug and the shocks)
It was not heavy, but light, very strong, and had killer looks!
A combat ‘robot’ is even possible to make with the MINDS-i parts!
Take a close look at the interlocking parts:
While at first it may seem to look like specially-made camoflash part(s) outside of this tank. After a closer look these same parts can be used on other creations also.
The wiring of the 6 wheeler:
(a stock motor)
On the flyer it says:
“By adding hobby-industry compatible wheels, motors, servos, radios, shocks and more, MINDS-i enables you to ignite your imagination and maximize your fun. For the highest-quality upgrade components, look no further than MINDS-i.”
Of course like most other products, there are those “I just don’t know…” with this one also. Like how would this hold up against a ‘real’ R/C car? Can you put in a brush-less system? How much weight could a Minds-i creation hold? Does every part work with every other part [I mean this up to a point]?
The MINDS-i products are just begging for a microcontroller and a CMU camera!
I was, and am, amazed! YOU control your robots, NOT the company you buy it from!
Coming Spring 2008!
–Scotty
Entry Filed under: All, Combat Robots, Robot Builders, Robot Events, Robot Products, Robot Videos, Robot Websites, iHobby. Tags: iHobby, mike marzetta, minds-i, mindsi, my minds i, mymindsi, rc, remote control, robot, robotics.
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