Wiedemann@RADC-MULTICS.ARPA (11/16/84)
A friend of mine recently returned from COMDEX. He was very excited
about what he said was the hit of the show.
The device is a robot plotter/digitizer. It consists of an interface
box, connected to the computer via RS-232C, and a robot "mouse"
(gerbil??) connected to this interface box via lightweight ribbon
cable. The unit accepts three HP pens and standard HP-GL plot commands.
Once activated, the "mouse" exits from its "parking" place in the
interface box, performs the plot functions as commanded, on a surface
size limited only bi the length of its ribbon tether, and returns to the
"garage".!
To top things off, the "mouse" can also act as a digitizer input device!
The entire unit is designed to retail for $399.00.
If there is anyone with more detail ("PR" material from the manufacturer
would help) on this unit, tell the rest of the world. I simply MUST
have one!!
Wolf Wiedemann RADC-MULTICSkeithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle) (11/20/84)
>A friend of mine recently returned from COMDEX. He was very excited >about what he said was the hit of the show. >The device is a robot plotter/digitizer. It consists of an interface >box, connected to the computer via RS-232C, and a robot "mouse" >(gerbil??) connected to this interface box via lightweight ribbon >cable. The unit accepts three HP pens and standard HP-GL plot commands. >Once activated, the "mouse" exits from its "parking" place in the >interface box, performs the plot functions as commanded, on a surface >size limited only bi the length of its ribbon tether, and returns to the >"garage".! O.K., I'll bite, how long is the tether? Can it produce really LARGE graphics (billboard size etc.)? What about accuracy? Keith Doyle {ucbvax,ihnp4,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!keithd "You'll PAY to know what you REALLY think!"