TARS version 1.0
What is TARS, where did it get from?
"TARS is one of four former U.S. Marine Corps tactical robots along with PLEX, CASE and KIPP featured in the Interstellar universe. He is one of the crew members of Endurance along with Cooper, Brand, Doyle, Romilly, and CASE. TARS' personality can be characterized as witty, sarcastic, and humorous, traits programmed into him to make him a better suited companion. TARS also appears to be somewhat more versatile than CASE, being suited for tasks ranging from piloting to data collection."
The idea of my project has deep roots. I'm a member of University of Oulu SPIE Student Chapter. We are often organizing events, where we are teaching school children about Optics, Photonics and Physics. TARS is supposed to help me in presentations with kids. It would be kind of interactive toy, which would make kids think about phenomena beside it. I have a little successes in this field as my basic optical toys were given to students as prizes.
Besides, I had a little side project in the past. It was a kind of rainbow generator or rainbow lamp. It was a present for my girlfriend's birthday. I remember that I ordered professional Bragg grating for this purpose. A professional one! It took two weeks just for shipping. Nevertheless, lamp's output power was not high enough (sad face). Let's see if my Engineering skills improved. Yet, this is another motivation for me :)
Final project features
I'm hoping to include following abilities/features:
- LCD screen
- Rainbow generator (based on scattering)
- Dark Sky map (I wish a real one)
- Microphone (jack) input
- Sound modulator
- Speaker output (jack)
- Photoresistor(s)
- Thermistor(s)
- Buttons (LCD screen interactions)
Sketch of the project
Since you stayed that long
TARS : I have a cue light I can use to show you when I'm joking, if you like.Cooper : That might help.
TARS : Yeah, you can use it to find your way back to the ship after I blow you out the airlock.