Kilian's Robot Shop of Horrors - 06/17/2001

Bob and Nancy's Strawberry Farm

Some of us went up to Bob's to see his farm, his robot projects and pick strawberries.

Bob's Robot Projects

Bob's electric golf cart he bought used.	He had to put all new batteries in it.	The motor. It is coupled to an automotive type differential with three parallel V-belts.	He got a spare motor and some spare control circuitry.
This is what the motor plate says.	The spare control circuitry.	Another view of the spare control circuitry.	I (Jeff) took it for a spin.
Bob got his alternators all bolted down.	These are the parts for his Strawberry Robot.	That is a full size car tire. He is bolting on a big sprocket from a manure spreader.	Another view of the wheel/sprocket.
A #40 spocket welded to a 'machinery chain' sprocket.	An axle and hub for the Strawberry Robot.	Bob explaining the original Cucumber Picker thing. Two people layed on it and picked cucumbers. It had a gas engine.

Dr. Dolittle

Ron showed up with his family.	Bob has these giant sheep. Kinda like Frankensheep.	Bob wrestled one of the little ones to the ground so the kids could pet it. It just about got the best of him.	Petting the subdued animal. (Maybe Bob could get a job wrestling animals at a petting zoo.)
And they have horses.	And they have rabbits.	And Bob showed us his 'big' robot project. He wants his tractor to drive around by itself. So here is Bob explaining his big robot to Ron who makes micro robots.

Strawberries

These are the rows of strawberries that Bob wants his robots to tend.	This is his irrigation system. This field will be planted next year.	Here is a view from corner to corner so you can see how big it is.	And it turns out that strawberries DON'T grow in super markets.
Closeup of strawberries. And I see I had water on my lens.	Everybody picking strawberries. Except me. I was taking pictures and stuffing strawberries in my mouth.	He is growing 'Frankenstrawberries' too. None of those sissy bite-size strawberries.