IdeaWazaWiki - User contributions [en]

Sisu

2007-10-04T14:50:44Z

203.200.55.133: /* External link */

{{Otheruses}}
{{wiktionary}}

[[Image:Monument to the Finnish sisu.jpg|thumb|left|280px|"Monument to the Finnish sisu" on a [[fell]] in [[Lapland Province|Lapland]]]]

'''Sisu''' is a [[Finnish language|Finnish]] term that could be roughly translated into [[English language|English]] as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. The equivalent in English is "to have guts", and indeed, the word derives from ''sisus'', which means something inner or interior. However, sisu has a long-term element in it; it is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain the same. To [[anthropology|anthropologists]], it is an appropriate invention for a cold northern land, dotted by thousands of lakes, and long under threat of being overwhelmed, militarily, linguistically and otherwise, by more powerful neighbours. Similar concepts exist among other cold-weather peoples, such as the [[Inuit]] and [[Chukchi people|Chukchi]].

Due to its cultural significance, ''Sisu'' is a common element of [[brand name]]s in [[Finland]]. For example, there are [[Sisu Auto|Sisu brand cars]] (and [[Sisu Pasi| Sisu armored vehicles]]), [[icebreaker]] MS Sisu, a brand of strong-tasting candy manufactured by [http://www.leaf.fi Leaf], and a Finnish nationalist organisation [[Suomen Sisu]]. [[Mount Sisu]] is the name of a mountain first ascended by mountain climber [[Veikka Gustafsson]] in the Antarctic.

The term is commonly used in everyday speech to describe stoic toughness. It is widely understood in the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]] of [[Michigan]], which is home to a large concentration of Finnish-Americans. For instance: ''Even after cutting his hand open and getting 12 stitches, he didn't shed a tear. Wow! He's got sisu!'' This has extended to include a popular bumper sticker saying simply "Sisu". By analogy, the term has picked up new meanings. Depending on context, "sisu" can refer to spunk, attitude, self-confidence, and so on. However, sisu is not [[bravery]], nor strength, and needs to be distinguished from [[courage]], especially when talking about the military. In contrast, sisu is an ability to finish the task and get things done, as defined by [[Roman Schatz]] in his book ''[[From Finland with Love]]'' (2005) and decisiveness. Usually sisu means the will and decisiveness to get things done against impossible odds, or to succeed when given the [[chinaman's chance]].

Sisu can be either good or bad, but the usual meaning is good. Bad sisu (Finnish ''paha sisu'') means malice combined with ruthlessness and implacability: it means relentless strive for mischief, persecution and vengeance (compare [[chutzpah]]). It is in a sense the mirror image of good sisu. Finnish expression ''pahansisuinen'' implies "audacious", "implacable", "full of affrontery", "malevolent" etc with aggressive overtones. The verb ''sisuuntua'' refers to getting angry, but with an element of determination and even being unforgiving. The idiom ''meni sisu kaulaan'' ("the sisu went to the throat [or neck]") returns to the original meaning, "innards"; "get a lump in one's throat", as in become too intimidated to act.

==External link==
*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/22/AR2006032201943.html Washington Post: The Finnish Line], about Finnish fortitude and resilience
[[Category:Finnish culture]]
[[Category:Upper Peninsula of Michigan]]

Sisu

2007-10-04T14:50:19Z

203.200.55.133: /* External link */

Unmanned aerial systems

2007-08-06T16:49:50Z

203.200.95.130: /* Specifications */

== Introduction ==
[[Image:MicroAirVehicle.jpg|thumb|[[w:Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake|Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake]], California - A Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) flies over a simulated combat area during an operational test flight. The MAV is in the operational test phase with military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to evaluate its short-range reconnaissance capabilities.]]

This is the "Autonomous Modular Wireless Aerial Devices" (AMWADS) project.

== News ==
* '''December 18, 2006''' - Project started.

== Collaborators ==
* ...
* ...
* ...

==Goals==
=== Scope of this project ===
This project will attempt to assess whether or not the state of the art is currently conducive to this sort of technology, and if it is, how best to implement the technology.

Specific questions that will be explored:
* Can systems be made that can remain airborne a long period of time?
** Are solar cells currently advanced enough to allow this?
** Do other technologies exist that could allow this?
** Can this be done relatively inexpensively?
* Can software be developed to allow:
** Communication between these devices
** The devices to remain autonomous and safe
** Communication between the ground
** The devices to remain autonomous for long periods
* Can this be done to look attractive and sleek?
** Can a twin blade design keep a vehicle aloft in an enclosure or in some hidden manner or other configuration?
* Is the technology marketable and useful?

== What are AMWADS? ==
AMWADS are just what the name implies. They are devices that fly around, know what function they are supposed to perform, and then perform it. Possible uses for this technology include: wireless mesh network clouds, speaker systems, lighting systems, video monitoring systems, cleaning and sanitation, shipping, reconnaissance aerial photography systems. Many other uses could probably be thought up.

This technology is different than other technologies such as "smart dust" because AMWADS are comparably HUGE. AMWADS have an estimated size of about 6cm to several meters.

This devices are unique to other autonomous aerial technologies because they are low cost and meant for more general and practical uses.

Other unique properties of AMWADS include that they run much longer than conventional aerial vehicles. Technologies such as light weight solar cells are integrated into the system so that are able to run independently for long periods.

Anecdotally it seems that many of todays devices achieve commercial success because: they are highly functional and useful, fun, and sexy. AMWADS if they are viable, should be all these things.

== Specifications ==
AMWADS always include:
* An on board computer with:
** Memory
** Wireless communication capabilities
** A GPS unit
* Brushless motor
* Thin solar cells
* Twin rotors
* Lipo batteries
* Requisite wiring

AMWADS might include:
* Accelerometers (if needed)
* Video cameras
* Microphones
* Speakers
* Cameras
* Payload storage
* Para-shoot
* Lights
* Robotic components (e.g. arms/manipulators/tools)

AMWADS should be:
* Lightweight
* Sleek & Attractive
* Functional
* Useful
* Easy to use

==External links==
=== Wikipedia articles ===
* [[w:Miniature_UAVs|Miniature UAVs]]
* [[w:Micro_air_vehicle|Micro Air Vehicle]]
* [[w:Aeroelasticity|Aeroelasticity]]
* [[w:Unmanned_aerial_vehicle|Unmanned ariel vehicle]]
* [[w:International_Aerial_Robotics_Competition|International Aerial Robotics Competition]]
* [[w:History_of_unmanned_aerial_vehicles|History of UAV's]]
* [[w:Unmanned_Ground_Vehicle|Unmanned Ground Vehicle]]
* [[w:Coanda_Effect|Coanda Effect]]

===Wikibooks===
* [[b:Robotics:_Design_Basics:_Design_software|Robotics Design Software]]

=== Components ===
====Accelerometers====
* [http://www.analog.com/en/prod/0,2877,ADXL202,00.html An Accelerometer]
* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php?cPath=23_80 Accelerometers]

====Carbon fiber====
* [http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mid/mid5720.htm?source=froogle .125" 24" Tube]
* [http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mid/mid5704.htm?source=froogle .060" 24" Rod]
* [http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mid/mid5743.htm?source=froogle .070" x .437" 24" Strip]
* [http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mid/mid5740.htm?source=froogle .019" x .118 24" Strip]
* [http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/217925.asp .5" 5' Reinforcing Strip]
* [http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2011293&TID=100&TID=100&productId=2011293&catalogId=10101 Carbon Fiber Sheet 24" x 8"]

====Gyros====
* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php?cPath=23_85 Gyros]

====Computers====
* [http://www.gumstix.org Gumstixs]
** [http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=155 Mother Board]
** [http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=171 WiFi Stick]
** [http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=157 GPS Stick]
* [http://www.picotux.com/techdatae.html picotux]

====Wireless====
* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=148 Bluetooth Chip]
* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=150 Bluetooth USB]

====Solar Cells====
* [http://www.solar-world.com/PowerFilm.htm Powerfilm]
* [http://www.flexcell.com/oem-integrated-solution.php?langue=en Flexcell]

====Blades====
* [http://www.readytoflyfun.com/hepropeller.html 6x4 Heli Props]

====Motors====
* [http://www.tedani.com/tower-pro-bm241009-1100kv-outrunner-brushless-motor-p-556.html?osCsid=b2ba72e8f71da324617fec3ba5696333 55g Brushless]
* [http://www.nitroplanes.com/24oubrmo.html Another 55g Brushless]
* [http://www.aero-fever.com/product_info.php?currency=USD&products_id=48 62g Brushless]

====GPS====
* [http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/18/epson-cranks-out-worlds-smallest-gps-module/ World's Smallest GPS Module]
* [http://gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=157 GPS Gumstix]
* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=7951 Chip]

====Cameras====
* [http://www.spygadgets.com/spy-cameras/micro-cameras.html Micro Cameras]

====Other sites of interest====
* [http://cswww.essex.ac.uk/staff/owen/research.htm#The%20Flying%20Gridswarm,%20and%20the%20UltraSwarm Microheli Gumstix Swarms]
* [http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=7906# Cellphone Camera]
* [http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorial/BlueTooth/bluetooth_primer.htm Bluetooth Primer]
* [http://www.uavp.de/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=40 OpenSourceQuadrocopter]

====Software====
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/wireless/ CUWiN Community Wireless Network] - Mesh networks for everyone.
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/ivt/ Integrating Vision Toolkit]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/aibo/ Cognitive Vision]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/reactivision/ reacTIVision]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/javavision/ Java Vision Toolkit] - Java toolkit to process 2D and 3D Images]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/stllcv/ STL like OpenCV wrapper] - Computer vision and machine learning]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/povclipse/ PovClipse]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/vxl/ The VXL Project] - C++ Libs for computer vision and understanding.]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/fpga-vision/ High Speed Vision System] - Uses FPGA chips.
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/yarp0/ Yet Another Robot Platform]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/estereo/ EStereo] - C++ Computer vision.
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/gandalf-library/ Gandalf vision and numerical library]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/servo-trim/ Servo-Trim]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/lmh-calculator/ LMH Rechner]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/usbservoctrl/ ACS USB servo controller device driver]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/servodriver/ RC-servo driver]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/rcfs/ OpenSource RC Flight Simulator]
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/mrsuite/ MRSuite] - Modular robotics simulator.
* [http://sourceforge.net/projects/servo/ SAM (Servo Actuation Manipulator)] - Controls servo motors via serial port.

=== News articles ===
* [http://www.h2daily.com/news/nuvera-to-supply-fuel-cells-for-toro-vehicles-20070405-216-50.html Nuvera to supply fuel cells for vehicles.]
* [http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/technology/technology.html?in_article_id=447317 Army invests in saucer technology...]

{{sfoot|Engineering}}

[[Category:Artificial intelligence]]
[[Category:Electrical engineering]]
[[Category:Research]]