Spybotics

[xenologer]

Hello

Spybotics are a bit old and outdated

but I am curious about a few points since it sounds like they may have used some interesting construction tricks.

my understanding is, each one has two motors. Thus they attach left/right wheels onto each one to get skid steering.

However, it would seem they also have special features like? grabbing claws for example?

Take Technojaw 3809 for example, it has a gripper on the nose.

So the question is, if there are only 2 motors, and they are being used by the drive train. Then what does that leave for activating the gripper claw?

you can see in the picture, theres some kind of link arm connecting the nose with the claw to some hidden stuff near the wheels and motors.

Someone did something clever, I'm really curious exactly how that works...

Peeron and Lego Cache dont list instructions....

thanks

Edited June 23, 2008 by xenologer

[Inertia]

There's a button at the front of the Spybot's 'brain' brick which the claws on the Snaptrax and the Gigamesh use as a touch sensor. The claws are operated by a simple beartrap like system, you push down on a brick in the middle and the claws spring shut.

At the the back there are two connection ports for fibre optic cables, one being a light sensor, the other being a red 'Laser'.

Hope this helps...

Edited June 23, 2008 by Inertia

[xenologer]

Thanks,

That probably describes the function for SnapTrax.

But eleswhere (online sample chapter of some spybotics hint book) they mention that the gripper on Technojaw (and on ShadowStrike) actually opens up when driving forward, then closes on its own when you stop moving.

My big questions is, How they managed to do that.

I suspect some kind of ratchet/clutch mechanism where the drive motors force the claws open but then slip so you can continue driving once fully open. But inventory shows no clutch gear pieces so its something else.

Perhaps some very carefully balanced friction system? Whatever it is, its something clever.... I really want to know.

EDIT

Well, looking very intently at this guy's brickshelf photo; I'm going on the assumption:

The drive wheels are mounted on a little pivoting armature, when being driven they cause this armature to pivot due to the momentum of the robot's body being 'left behind' by the accelerating wheels. This then gets transferred via the link arms to make the front gripper claws pull open. when not in motion gravity drops everything back into position

I could be wrong, but thats the only thing that makes sense...

Edited June 23, 2008 by xenologer

[hawkyboy4]

I have taken my Technojaw apart, and am now stuck. I was going to turn it into a tank, now I'm not so sure. Any ideas?

[Silcantar]

Well, looking very intently at this guy's brickshelf photo; I'm going on the assumption:

The drive wheels are mounted on a little pivoting armature, when being driven they cause this armature to pivot due to the momentum of the robot's body being 'left behind' by the accelerating wheels. This then gets transferred via the link arms to make the front gripper claws pull open. when not in motion gravity drops everything back into position

I could be wrong, but thats the only thing that makes sense...

I own a Technojaw, and that's exactly how it works, except that the claws stay in position when the robot is stationary. When it is driving backwards, the claws close, which makes them actually pretty useful, as you can put the claws around an object while driving forward, and then drag it with you while driving backward. It gets a little complicated while turning, as one claw opens, and the other closes. I believe Shadowstrike works the same way. My brother owns Snaptrax, and the claws are purely for decoration. They have rubber bands that hold them open, but there is nothing to make them close.

[Jan]

Peeron and Lego Cache dont list instructions....

brickfactory does! <- click link an search on setnumber

hope this helps a little

[DLuders]

Here are the four Spybotics set numbers to aid in searching for the Building Instructions on BrickFactory :

Gigamesh G60 = Set 3806 (the BLUE set below)

Snaptrax S45 = Set 3807 (the RED set below)

Shadowstrike S70 = Set 3808 (the PURPLE set below)

Technojaw T55 = Set 3809 (the GREEN set below)

[DLuders]

You could download an eManual (PDF file of this book: http://www.apress.com/book/view/9781590590911 :

"LEGO Spybotics Secret Agent Training Manual"

"LEGO Spybotics Secret Agent Training Manual provides complete coverage of the ultimate LEGO Spybotics system. Author Ralph Hempel begins with a Spybotics overview and then delves into the nitty-gritty of Spybotics, including systems training, construction and care, agent communications, mission selection, and even advanced topics, such as how to customize your missions.

"LEGO Spybotics Secret Agent Training Manual is designed to help secret agents get the most out of their LEGO Spybot. Agents will benefit from Hempel's detailed mission summaries, tips on deciphering common problems, and instructions on how to program the Spybot to run top-secret missions by itself. Hempel puts all of the mission-critical information right at your fingertips. Enjoy it even when youre not running covert missions with your Spybot! Are you ready?"

[Burf2000]

You know, I got a few of these and not even turned them on

[D3K]

Sorry to revive this very old topic, but I recently stumbled upon someone selling all four of these for a pretty decent price (~50 Euro for all), so I just wondered; is it worth it? I went through the parts lists on rebrickable, and for one, there aren't that many parts, and secondly, none of the parts really stand out (guess the most desirable parts are the black axlepins with friction... Sooo, any thoughts?

[skppo]

Well I don't own these, but the blue one has some not-so-common gears in it. Some nice three-way thin liftarms as well.

Don't really care for the models themselves. Even the electronics are kinda useless.

Edited December 8, 2013 by skppo

[D3K]

Yeah I thought so.. It just seems so cheap, at 1/4 of the price to buy all four separately on Bricklink...

[LegoPanda]

totally worth it i would pay almost double for one of them

[D3K]

totally worth it i would pay almost double for one of them

Why? I know the Spybotics bricks are concidered somewhat "rare", as they only ever appeared in these four sets, but do they have any practical uses today? Do you need the software to operate the models, and does it even run on modern computers (serial cable, not USB) ? What exactly is it that makes you willing to pay that much for them?

Just curious, not meant as an "attack" on you or anything, if it came out that way

[Junpei]

I played around with one once, you can program them with software, but you can also just drive them around with the remote, and you can customize them with anything. Plus, the six 36t DB gears, black 12t SB gears, metallic silver 9L links, and fiber optics are pretty awesome. In any case, I doubt you'll ever find a better deal!

[Kumbbl]

anybody out there who has tried running the Spybotics CD/Software with a current PC/Laptop with Windows 7 using

- an USB-Serial RS 232-Adapter

- the Windows XP mode for Windows 7

?

[le60head]

i think it should work fine :)

If u have trouble, i'll try to see for sure if it is compatible with win7

[Blakbird]

I owned a couple of them briefly and then later sold them because I wasn't interested. They are kind of fun, but are very basic compared with any Mindstorms stuff, and of course the software is virtually impossible to use with a modern computer. You can't even build the models without the software because there are no printed building instructions. There are a few parts in unique colors though. For example, a few thin liftarms, links, and suspension parts come in pearl here and only here. RoscoPC uses some of them for his F1 cars.