Looks like Electric Hydraulics in Canada for under $1000 an actuator is a tail-chasing adventure. There are a few on EBay from time to time, but matching them and getting them to work together is more of a pain than it is worth.
I have since chosen to actuate using P.A.M. (Pneumatic Artificial Muscles). The beauty of this solution is the ease of construction and the way they mirror their bio-engineered counterparts. I can actually build these inexpensively, however, the difficult part will be the valve system that acts as a 1 – 0 Boolean switching system. As pointed out to me, pneumatic spool valves might be the answer... and also using the exhaust from one to move the other. More to follow...
For instance, we will need a biceps – triceps inverse contraction relationship. Only one can contract at any given time, never both. Using this type of valve system, it may be possible to hold a contraction at any point of a lift phase. How does this figure in? Well, this sort of contraction – relax relationship is how we are able to maintain our standing up straight stance.
This system could be powered by anything from a pair of SCUBA tanks to a small on board air compressor. Ideally I want this to be a variable-pressure power assist system, not unlike a SCUBA diver’s regulator that gives more air depending on demand, or power steering on a car.
As far as the Operating System goes, the leading contenders are:
-Redhat Linux
-Ubuntu Linux
- Windows XP (There, I said it )
Some if the integrated features will be:
-USB System Temperature Sensors
-Load Cell status indicator (Via custom Widget)
-GPS Positioning (Via custom Widget)
-Laser Rangefinder (Will be building this from an instructable)
-System fault indicator (Via custom Widget)
-Secure Wireless connectivity (802.11g WPA-2)
-VOX command system (Currently testing Smart Butler)
-Emergency system shutdown
-etc
This will all be condensed into readouts and widgets on the 800 x 600 pixel display on the (still in development) HUD.
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