jbn@GLACIER.STANFORD.EDU.UUCP (03/02/87)
Is anyone running AML-V ("Gold Filling") on an IBM RS-1 (model 7510,
model E CPU)?
AML-V is a robot programming language. The RS-1 and RS-2 are IBM
robots, impressive six-axis machines with force-sensing grippers. If
you have an IBM disk pack, an RS-series robot probably built it. CMU,
and MIT have RS-2 robots; Stanford has an RS-1, which was the pre-production
model. IBM donated quite a number of these machines to various schools;
these robots are more general-purpose than most manufacturing plants
really need, but are excellent research tools.
AML stands for A Manufacturing Language. AML-V is an experimental
version developed at IBM's Yorktown Heights facility. Current work is on
AML-X, which runs on an IBM PC/AT. AML-V was developed around 1985 and
runs on the now-obsolete IBM Series I computers. The people who wrote AML-V
are known to me but no longer have the Series I machines running that
could build me the version I need. But such versions existed at one time,
and if someone out there has one configured for an RS-1, it would be
very valuable to me. The odds are excellent that someone who reads
AILIST has an 8" floppy around that is just what I'm looking for.
I'm working on a new approach to common-sense reasoning, one which
involves the use of solid geometric modelling techniques to provide deep
knowledge about the physical world. This leads naturally to robotic
applications. One distinct advantage to working with robots, incidentally,
is that the hype level is distinctly lower in the robotics community than
in the rest of the AI world. Robotics people tend to shut up until they
can demo.
Is anyone running AML-V ("Gold Filling") on an IBM RS-1 (model 7510,
model E CPU)? This usually runs on an RS-2, model 7565, with an
model F CPU, but I'm trying to get it to run on an RS-1, which is supposedly
possible. Is a different kernel required, or is it sufficient
to put the configuration file on the boot floppy using the programs on the
basic diagnostic diskette?
I presently have the original RS-1 software installed (7505-AAA), but
am upgrading to 7505-AAE ("Silver Lining 2 on 1") next week. 7505-AAA
doesn't seem to recognize the AML-V distribution diskette as a valid
volume. The tools for dealing with such problems are better in 7505-AAE,
(the QVOLS command, for example) and I may be able to solve the problem
then. But any advice from RS-1/RS-2 users would be appreciated.
John Nagle
Center for Design Research, Stanford.
415-856-0767.