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C00002 00002		Future Arm Development Ideas
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	Future Arm Development Ideas
		By Vic Scheinman
		   January 20,1974

	What follows are some thoughts on the furture development and progress of
the small M.I.T. model arm.  

	Presently the arm is supplied with a simple driver and control
system.  The standard package consists of a power supply, a linear power amplifier
for each joint, a manual control unit, a brake driver for each joint, and
FET switches to switch from manual to computer modes.  This is sufficient electronics
for one who has a computer and interface already.  The purchaser must also have some servo programs and
a suitable control routine before the arm can be used.

	The follow on version of electronics should include an interface package to allow the arm to
be interfaced to the customer's own computer.  This would include an A/D and a DAC 
plus all the necessary cables, pluds, power supplies, etc. to allow the arm to
be hooked to the customer's computer.  This appears better than selling the arm
with a computer, as most of the initial customers will already have their pet
computers.