Paul & R2-D2 appear in the Bangor Daily News

On December 15th, the Bangor Daily News posted the video interview we did.  The following day. our complete interview appeared in the print version!

Here's the link to the article plus video (LINK)

R2-D2's Appearance on The Nite Show with Danny Cashman

Last Wednesday, December 9th, R2-D2 and I were invited to a taping on The Nite Show with Danny Cashman.

The program airs on Saturday nights at 11:30 locally.  It's a local comedy show that is similar in format to The Late Show and The Tonight Show.  

A few weeks back, Dan's sidekick, Joe Kennedy had inquired about using R2-D2 for a skit prior to the release of the new Star Wars:  The Force Awakens release.  It sounded like something fun to do, so I said 'Sure'!

R2-D2 has had a quiet couple weeks, so asides charging the computer and batteries, we were set to go!

The show is filmed at Husson Unveristy's Gracie Theatre, a beautiful facility that opened in 2009.  They were filming three episodes this evening so we got there early.  With the help of staff and a few NESCOM (New England School of Communications) students, we had R2-D2 and support equipment unloaded and in the theater.

Microphone setup underway.

One of the funny moments was getting R2-D2 setup with a microphone.  My R2 has a very powerful amplifier and speaker setup.  I typically have R2's sound level at 1.5 (out of 100) and any higher is blaring loud.  I warned the sound people that R2 is quite loud, so they might want to adjust the microphone accordingly.  I don't think they believed me but once that test beep went out, and hands went on ears....they understood!  

Upon reviewing the script, we had to figure out where I could stand and safely drive R2 around the stage while being out of audience/camera view.  The stage manager, whose name I can not recall, was superb.  He held the script for me while my hands were busy with the controls and after a few test runs, we were ready to go.

And then the wireless microphone batteries died on our first roll out.  R2 beeped but not loud enough for the production equipment to hear it.  There's one for the blooper roll!  The staff quickly did a battery swap out and we returned to our start positions for another try.

Waiting for the show doors to slide open and make our appearance!

And here's a YouTube clip of our skit...(crank your volume)

After we made our appearance, we hung out backstage for pictures with the crew.  Again, the NESCOM students were fantastic and were kind enough to help me load R2-D2 back into the van.

A few photos...

R2-D2 on the set

Paul and R2-D2

Portland Sea Dogs STAR WARS Night 2015

Saturday, August 15th was the annual STAR WARS Night with the Portland Sea Dogs!

Asides R2-D2, we were joined by Stormtroopers from the 501st Legion and the Mercs from the Wampa Clan.

Pre- event:

Prior to heading down, there were two things I had been working on.  One was completing my Stormtrooper suit and the other was repairing R2's rear panel.  

With a great deal of help from my friend, Pete, the suit was ready to go, complete with helmet fans to cope with the heat/lens fogging.  

The rear panel was proving a bigger problem.  I had used tabs to hold the panel flush with the skins.  I had used adhesive foam tape but over the years, the foam has started to separate.  As a result, the top of the panel was sagging and not flush with the rest of R2's body.

I cleaned up the adhesive residue and tried using silicone.  That wound up not setting up well, due to the high humidity.  I'd have to go with Plan B.  White electrical tape!  (It works remarkably well!)  The ultimate fix may be to re-do the entire back panel.  After years of operating R2, some areas of that panel are bent and the epoxy is coming apart.  Poor R2 is need of an overhaul again!

The Main Event!

R2-D2 and I left very early so that we could skip any traffic delays on the way to Portland.  There were a few, thankfully minor ones!  

The van was especially comfortable since I used one of those air conditioning recharge kits (AC Pro).  It didn't completely fill the system, but I had cold air coming out of the air conditioner again!  (The van is 13 years old and has multiple issues.  But for now, it's doing the job of getting R2-D2 and I out and about!)

The 501st guys and the Mercs weren't far behind me and soon it was time to get R2-D2 all prepped.  

And...once R2-D2 was ready to go, it was time for me to try on my Stormtrooper armor for the first time.

To say the other Stormtroopers make it look easy is an understatement!  The armor goes on in a very specific order and it will certainly take me a while to nail it down.  After some awkward adjusting, snapping armor to the straps...I was a Stormtrooper!

I put on the helmet and knew I had a minor problem.  Visibility.  I couldn't see below my neck wearing the helmet.  But...with R2-D2 about 10 feet ahead of me, I could control him and operate safely.  

Operating R2-D2 while in full Stormtrooper armor!

We were at the main gate when the event opened and instantly had a huge queue of fans looking for photos with R2-D2 and the gang!

The one thing we weren't expecting....a huge thunderstorm.  The skies had looked threatening all day but soon the staff was advising everyone to stay inside.  

The storm caused a one hour delay and lasted about 45 minutes.  Soon, we had clearing skies and a rainbow to go with it

The weather went back to being hot and muggy but the festivities resumed!

R2 was all around the concourse section as the heavy rains made driving on the clay infield area a bad idea.  Last year we drove on the clay with ease, even doing the character parade around the field.  But I didn't want to take any chances and gum up the foot drive system in the mud.

Where ever R2 was, a long line formed.  We stopped for pictures and made sure we weren't blocking the flow of traffic to the concession areas.

I also opted to go without my Stormtrooper helmet so I could have better visibility while operating R2-D2.  

Here's some photos...

Post Event:

The sudden thunderstorm had one minor issue;  a large sign was knocked over and crashed into the side of my van.  It should be easy enough to repair.

As the game was winding down, we all headed back to the dressing room to change up.  The Mercs, who wear many layers of bounty-hunter style armor, were quite warm in their costumes.  Myself and the troopers were equally drenched in sweat!  Thankfully our hosts provided us with vast quantities of cold bottled water to stay hydrated.

As we all parted ways, the staff was kind enough to help load R2-D2 into the van for me.  (Everyone then comments how heavy R2 is!)  Since the game started late, we didn't leave the stadium until 10 pm.  After a detour for some coffee, I managed to get home just after midnight.  

A very busy day!

May The Fourth Be With You - PenBay Pilot

May The Fourth Be With You - PenBay Pilot

Bangor Comic & Toy Convention!

This past weekend was the Bangor Comic & Toy Convention (BCTC), the first big Comic Con event for this area!  

The event ran from Friday thru Sunday and featured several famous folks that appeal to all ages!  They had Billy Dee Williams ("Lando Calrissian" from Star Wars), Deep Roy (the new Star Trek movies, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory), Gigi Edgley (Farscape), Doug Jones (Pan's Labyrinth, HellBoy movies), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters), Mark Ryan (voice of Bumblebee in "Transformers") and many more!  BCTC also had wrestler "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (Red, Black, Blue and Yellow).

And for the Star Wars book readers out there, they had Timothy Zahn!

(Last fall, there was an Comic Con type event called "Bang Pop" but it didn't have much to offer.  They had one of the supporting stars from Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead and some comic artists.  I attended it for the cosplay contest and didn't stay long...there just wasn't much there.)

BCTC really had something for every walk of Science Fiction.

R2-D2 were invited to be a part of the 3-Day event and given a booth.  We would have a chance to meet the public and have people take photos with R2.

Show Prep

Before I could get R2-D2 to the show, I had to deal with the weather and my quirky, 13-year old Honda Odyssey.

After a very long winter with record snow fall, I was concerned my front yard would be too soft and muddy to drive onto.  I can only get R2-D2 out the front door!  While the snow had all melted off, a week of rain had be concerned.  I was afraid driving my van on the lawn would be like an X-Wing landing on Dagobah!

I also hadn't driven the van since November, so it had sat for months.  As luck would have have the battery was dead.  And...I noticed the inspection and registration had expired.  Nuts!  

I had my friend bring over his jumper cables and we were able to get my van to run.  After a night on a battery charger, we're back in business.

The lawn was extremely soft the morning of the event.  I left some deep impressions on the lawn from driving on it...but hoping those will flatten out!

The event was held at the Cross Insurance Center, which opened in 2013, replacing the old Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center.  Its a fantastic facility and draws in some excellent acts our previous facility could not support.  While the BCTC event is going on, a Monster Truck Show is going on as well!  

Getting unloaded and setup took some time, with many vendors and there as well as the Monster Trucks next door taking up a lot of room.  One of the Monster Truck teams was quite impressed to see R2-D2 come out of the van.  Meanwhile, I was completely impressed with their HUGE truck.  We chatted for a while, then I was able to wiggle R2-D2 into the building.

Once situated in my booth, I had R2 setup with plenty of time before the event started.  I had a chance to meet my "neighbors", some vendors from southern Maine and Timothy Zahn, a well-known author of many Star Wars books.  We had a chance to chat about many things, including the latest Star Wars 7 trailer.

Show time!

On Friday the show ran from 2pm to 6pm.  Pretty much from the start of the show to closing time, I had a steady line of visitors asking to take a picture with R2-D2, asking questions about how I built it, the R2 Builders Club and where they heard about R2 and I.  I was impressed to meet so many people that have followed our charitable efforts from news and print stories.  

Timothy Zahn, R2 and I

More show pictures from Days 1, 2 and 3.

Billy Dee Williams ("Lando") in the background!

Deep Roy

The show was a fantastic success and as I reflect on it a few days later...

1)  Have a partner to help out!  I missed all the discussion panels since I always had a line wanting to see R2-D2.  Bathroom breaks weren't too difficult, I could always ask one of the 501st troopers to guard R2!  But for a 3 day event, you need to give yourself a break here and there.  I need to do that next time!

2)  Always recharge the batteries each night.  One night I forgot to let the electronics battery recharge.  Thankfully a quick charge got me through the day but 8 hours of beeping noises and lights will eventually drain a battery!

3)  Have signs that say "No charge for photos".  The celebrities charged for autographed photos or pictures.  Of course, I do not...but was asked repeatedly.   It also wouldn't hurt to have some cards that link to my blog of Facebook Page for R2.

Part Two: Setting up the random HP movement for R2

First, I owe everyone an apology for two things!

1.  For forgetting to write the Part Two segment (Part One is here )

2.  How technical this entry will read.  

Last time I spoke about the random holoprojector (HP) movement, I detailed the hardware setup.  Figuring out how to make two servos link up to the HP on a stable mount was quite the task.  

Now how to make it all work.

The software for the random movement was made by an Astromech member by the name of Micke Askernas  Using an Arduino microcontroller, you copy and paste his program into the compiler, adjust the settings as detailed in the commented out sections, compile and upload the sketch to the Arduino microcontroller.

Here's the program, cut and paste into a new Sketch with the Arduino software.

/*
* SARLACC For Holo Projectors v 0.3a
*
* - Simple
* - Arduino
* - Random Holoprojector
* - Location for
* - AstroMech Builders
* - Club
* - Control
*
* Micke Askernäs, 2012
*
*/

#include

/*
* User defined constants
* change these for finetuning your servos
* *NOTE* These values are set for my servos.
* In order to get your system running smooth, you need to
* set your own values. See test code at the bottom of code.
*/

const int Min1X = 45; // Min value for X1 
const int Max1X = 150; // Max value for X1
const int Min1Y = 0; // Min value for Y1
const int Max1Y = 130; // Max value for Y1

const int Min2X = 20; // Min value for X2
const int Max2X = 150; // Max value for X2
const int Min2Y = 45; // Min value for Y2
const int Max2Y = 160; // Max value for Y2

const int Min3X = 0; // Min value for X3
const int Max3X = 180; // Max value for X3
const int Min3Y = 40; // Min value for Y3
const int Max3Y = 170; // Max value for Y3

const int MinTime = 1000; // Minimum time to wait before another servo movement.
const int MaxTime = 6000; // Maximum time to wait before another servo movement.

/*
* Arduino Pin Configuration
* Change these if needed
*/

const int servo1Xpin = 8; // PIN on Arduino used for Servo1X
const int servo1Ypin = 9; // PIN on Arduino used for Servo1Y
const int servo2Xpin = 10; // PIN on Arduino used for Servo2X
const int servo2Ypin = 11; // PIN on Arduino used for Servo2Y
const int servo3Xpin = 12; // PIN on Arduino used for Servo3X
const int servo3Ypin = 13; // PIN on Arduino used for Servo3Y

/*
* End Arduino Pin Configuration
*/

/*
* End constants
*/


/* No more changes should be needed below this line. */ 

Servo servo1X; // Define X-Servo 1 (Front)
Servo servo1Y; // Define Y-Servo 1 (Front) 
Servo servo2X; // Define X-Servo 2 (Top)
Servo servo2Y; // Define Y-Servo 2 (Top)
Servo servo3X; // Define X-Servo 3 (Back)
Servo servo3Y; // Define Y-Servo 3 (Back)
unsigned long currentTime;
unsigned long loopTime;

void setup()
{
servo1X.attach(servo1Xpin); // Attaching servo to defined pin.
servo1Y.attach(servo1Ypin); // Attaching servo to defined pin.
servo2X.attach(servo2Xpin); // Attaching servo to defined pin.
servo2Y.attach(servo2Ypin); // Attaching servo to defined pin.
servo3X.attach(servo3Xpin); // Attaching servo to defined pin.
servo3Y.attach(servo3Ypin); // Attaching servo to defined pin.

randomSeed(analogRead(0)); // Feed unhooked analog input as seed for randomizer. Can be set to static number.
// randomSeed(3141592653); // Static number random Seed (for explanantion only)

currentTime = millis();
loopTime = currentTime;
}

void loop()
{
currentTime = millis();

/* Loop 1 for Servo1 */
if (currentTime >= (loopTime + random(MinTime,MaxTime))) {
servo1X.write(random(Min1X,Max1X)); // Turn X-Servo to random X value (0-180)
servo1Y.write(random(Min1Y,Max1Y)); // Turn Y-Servo to random X value (0-180)
loopTime = currentTime; 
}

/* Loop 2 for Servo2 */
if (currentTime >= (loopTime + random(MinTime,MaxTime))) {
servo2X.write(random(Min2X,Max2X)); // Turn X-Servo to random X value (0-180)
servo2Y.write(random(Min2Y,Max2Y)); // Turn Y-Servo to random X value (0-180)
loopTime = currentTime; 
}

/* Loop 3 for Servo3 */
if (currentTime >= (loopTime + random(MinTime,MaxTime))) {
servo3X.write(random(Min3X,Max3X)); // Turn X-Servo to random X value (0-180)
servo3Y.write(random(Min3Y,Max3Y)); // Turn Y-Servo to random X value (0-180)
loopTime = currentTime; 
}

/* 
* Loop for testing max and min values - Comment this out or remove for working program
* Recommended to take one servo at the time and test out the min/max values on X first, then Y
* and then move on to next servo.
*/

// servo1X.write(Min1X); // Turn Servo 1 to Min X value
// servo2X.write(Min2X); // Turn Servo 2 to Min X value
// servo3X.write(Min3X); // Turn Servo 3 to Min X value
//
// servo1Y.write(Min1Y); // Turn Servo 1 to Min Y value
// servo2Y.write(Min2Y); // Turn Servo 2 to Min Y value 
// servo3Y.write(Min3Y); // Turn Servo 3 to Min Y value
//
// delay (1000);
//
// servo1.write(Max1X); // Turn Servo 1 to Max X value
// servo1.write(Max2X); // Turn Servo 2 to Max X value
// servo1.write(Max3X); // Turn Servo 3 to Max X value
//
// servo1Y.write(Max1Y); // Turn Servo 1 to Max Y value
// servo2Y.write(Max2Y); // Turn Servo 2 to Max Y value 
// servo3Y.write(Max3Y); // Turn Servo 3 to Max Y value
//
// delay (1000);
}

If you have no idea what any of this means, let me break it down a little.  The comments are behind the // in most of the lines.  As you go thru, it will start to make sense, such as which pin controls which servo.

What is a little more difficult is the section that sets the min and max positions for the X and Y axis for each servo.  

(The bottom of his code has loop testing, which I didn't try out, simply because I found something else that I found interesting.)

You see, the hard part is "knowing" what position the servo is in.  You can easily remove the servo horn and put it on again in a different spot.  Much like you can remove the hands of clock from showing 6:00 and put them in the noon position.  Where does the servo think it is?

The Sketch I found allows a message box to pop open, you enter the position and the servo moves to it.  Essentially, from 0 to 180, you can use this to determine the servo limit values in your setup

#include  

Servo myservo;  // create servo object to control a servo 

void setup() {

  Serial.begin(9600);

  myservo.writeMicroseconds(1500); //set initial servo position if desired

  myservo.attach(7);  //the pin for the servo control 

  Serial.println("servo-test-22-dual-input"); // so I can keep track of what is loaded

}

void loop() {

  while (Serial.available()) {

    char c = Serial.read();  //gets one byte from serial buffer

    readString += c; //makes the string readString

    delay(2);  //slow looping to allow buffer to fill with next character

  }

  if (readString.length() >0) {

    Serial.println(readString);  //so you can see the captured string 

    int n = readString.toInt();  //convert readString into a number

    // auto select appropriate value, copied from someone elses code.

    if(n >= 500)

    {

      Serial.print("writing Microseconds: ");

      Serial.println(n);

      myservo.writeMicroseconds(n);

    }

    else

    {   

      Serial.print("writing Angle: ");

      Serial.println(n);

      myservo.write(n);

    }

    readString=""; //empty for next input

  } 

}

 (Sorry if the code sections do not publish properly...Blogspot is a bit limiting)

The reason the ranges are so important is the shape of the shroud around the HP.  Depending on which HP you have, you may have more horizontal movement than vertical.  Or the reverse, depending on how you install it.

But ultimately, the goal of this is to have the data to feed into the Random Movement program.  This allowed me to test the minimal and maximum ranges for each axis.  By default, I was going beyond where the HP moved, causing strain on the motor that would eventually cause it to fail.

With the right values in place, Verify and Upload to the Arduino controller, then watch the HP move around.  

Having the HP movement really makes you wonder what R2 is thinking.  Of all the gadgets I have installed and made for R2, the random HP movement is the least expensive yet most convincing.  The caveat is that it quickly becomes a target of young hands grabbing it. However,  when you see R2 there, HP moving around, you really add some personality to the droid.  People think R2 is actively engaged in what's going on in the room and the HP moving around is similar to humans blinking their eyes...it's just natural and automatic.

I hope this wasn't too hard to follow along!

Dover Mini Maker Faire

On Saturday, August 23, R2 and I attended the Mini Maker Faire in Dover, NH.  I was joined by fellow R2 Builder Paul Murphy and his R2-D2.  

Dover, New Hampshire is almost 3 hours away from me and with an 8:30 arrival and unload time, I had to plan ahead.  

The night before I got R2-D2 all loaded up into the Honda Odyssey and prepped for the trip.  One thing that frustrated me initially was the Maker Faire site didn't have any obvious links for directions to the event.  After some digging, I had what I needed and set my alarm clock for 4 AM. (Oh that hurt.)

Now if you have never heard of a Maker Faire and are wondering they are, a Maker Faire is an event created by Make magazine to "celebrate arts, crafts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset". 

Or as I would better describe it as a science fair on steroids!

The 10 year old Garmin GPS found the location with ease and the volunteer staff was really great.  A burly gent helped unload R2-D2 with me and we quickly found our booth, just across from the 501st New England Garrison.  Paul Murphy arrived the night before and his droid, along with the R2 Builders Club banner, were all set up.

Left, Paul Murphy's droid, Right, Paul J. Bussiere's droid.

Since we had a booth, I was content being parked while Paul Murphy took his droid around the exhibit.  It was really tight quarters walking around the site and my radio was acting quirky at one point.  (It turns out the stick had some debris jammed in it, as R2 walked away slowly for a few feet before I shut down the motors.  I couldn't get the stick back into the center/neutral position, which explains why he crept away slowly.)

With two droids, one parked static and another wandering, I had a lot of time to answer questions about how R2 was built, the materials and how it operates.  People are always expecting R2 to be smaller than it is in person.  

The Maker Faire had booths for many interesting things for all ages.  The Quad-Copter on display looked pretty sharp, even sporting a GoPro camera.  There were 3D printers in action, underwater robots working outside in a make-shift pool and much, much more.  

Quad Copter

3D Printing

The 501st guys had troopers roaming the area and the folks in the booth were giving step by step tutorials on how they make their armor.  They had a function heat station with vacuum chamber setup, making miniature Stormtrooper head forms.  To keep things fresh, every hour they would display the next step in how they make their armor.  Seeing how they mold and form the helmets was impressive, plus the work they do with Smooth-On for casting.

Zoombie Trooper

TIE Fighter Pilot and a very, very tall stormtrooper that towers over R2

Since I was facing another 3 hours of driving, I opted to leave at 3 pm, as things were starting to slow down.  I would've liked to have stayed later and gone to dinner with my fellow builder....but I also wanted to get home while it was still daylight and get everything unloaded.  Six hours of driving in one day, plus all day on my feet makes for a tired me!

I had a good time and hope an event like this makes it's way closer to me!  

My only grief would be the usual thing all builders have that display their droids...people who beat on your droid.  The kids were behaved pretty well, overall.  But there's also those hand-full that insist on hitting, tugging on, pushing in on the lights and so on.  Most frustrating is that this occurs while the parent stands there, amused and thinking this is hilarious.  I seem to spend a lot of time saying "Please don't touch" over and over again, which I hate.  

I don't mind the kids touching the droid, respectfully...its the yanking and hitting that's over the top.  If you know a solution that doesn't involve barbed wire or 50,000 volts of electricity, please let me know!