R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember this?  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       



All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Unusual R/C >> R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember this?
Page: [1]

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember this? - 10/2/2004 11:59:28 PM   
the_pixelator


 

Posts: 23
Joined: 2/17/2004
From: san rafael, CA, USA
Status: offline 		A local toy store that carried a lot of hobby stuff (like Tamiya) back in the late 70's and early 80's --- had this... Ball. Or sphere, whatever they called it. It was about a foot or maybe more in diameter and had multiple 'shells' that attached together (halves) over the central mechanism that was suspended somehow between the halves. One shell was clear, one was glow-in-dark, I do believe.

Anyone remember this? It had a real, hobby-quality radio and the antenna was internal, I think. And if you think about it, it must've been quite the engineering feat back then! I think the main motivation came from a gear that meshed with teeth along the inside of the two halves. It wasn't cheap, either - I think it was over $350.

I'd LOVE to find out more about this, or even pick one up, if anyone knows what I'm talking about.

< Message edited by the_pixelator -- 10/3/2004 12:00:46 AM >
       Post #: 1

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember this? - 10/6/2004 8:37:20 PM   
Overalnd


 

Posts: 310
Joined: 2/4/2004
From: , PA, USA
Status: offline 		Hmmm, I remember my friend had one in like 2nd grade :P. I think it was made by Nikko, and I saw it once at ToysRUs for like $20. I guess we are not talking about the same thing are we.

(in reply to the_pixelator)
       Post #: 2

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember this? - 4/11/2005 12:13:17 AM   
coaxial-gyro


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 6/21/2004
From: Bridport, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Yes I had one from my step uncle , Key board player of the band ' LEVEL 42 ' ( 80'S POP MUSIC ) After a tour supporting Maddona , It had gone very badly so they wasted time buying odd items to pass the time .
My ball I think I remember was made buy NIKKO , a proportional system . It took AA battery's , alot of them ,.. I gave it up for an old hippy .
One of the most wizard RC items to my memories , and I hope your too !

(in reply to the_pixelator)
       Post #: 3

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember this? - 2/25/2006 12:37:31 AM   
build light


 

Posts: 1458
Joined: 11/30/2005
From: Crete, NE, USA
Status: offline 		I remember this thing.Indeedc it was made by Nikko. it was a trip to watch on tv in the advertisment there. I never had one because it was so expensive. $350 sounds a bit high, but it was indeed pricey. I actually held one and got to see how it worked basically it drove like a tank. There was a left wheel and right wheel. Each of these wheels was a half_sphere. push both joysticks forward it went forward in a straight line. turn leftyou easd the right stick forward a little more than the left one etc. It would go pretty fast but it did not handle well at higher speeds... It was more fun and mysterious to move it around slowly. Like sneek up on the pets while they are sleepng kind of thing. Or playing with the family cat or dog. there was a long video of this I watched @ toysareus ( I don't know how to make a BACKWARDS "R" which was near their radio control stuff.
The way it was designed, you were not supposed to easily see the gap between the 2 halves. it was a very close fit.

Robert

_____________________________

Roll! Tide! Roll!
Go Crimson Tide!!!

(in reply to the_pixelator)
       Post #: 4

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember t... - 5/23/2007 3:13:47 PM   
coaxial-gyro


 

Posts: 16
Joined: 6/21/2004
From: Bridport, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		My 'Ball' had a batterie pack that acted as a 'pendulam weight' to actuate the steering. If you swang the steering in such a way the ball would lose CG and and run berzerk (tee-hee) that reminds me, my DAD took it to work ,stashed it in a cupboard,wound it up outer CG and made ladys lift there skirts in shear fear !. Now married to his boss girly(3rd marridge ,..Yawn!, both demoted)

(in reply to build light)
       Post #: 5

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember t... - 6/28/2007 5:48:39 PM   
i live for 3D



Posts: 529
Joined: 5/8/2005
From: miami, FL, USA
Status: offline 		they have RC golf balls

_____________________________

TONY

(in reply to coaxial-gyro)
       Post #: 6

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember t... - 12/8/2007 4:46:54 AM   
MCSEVZ


 

Posts: 23
Joined: 7/29/2006
From: Plymouth, WI, USA
Status: offline 		Hey, you guys might appreciate Google'ing "Rotundus". It is a wireless sphere made for lunar exploration, but its still in its first stages here on earth It looks pretty sweet although not cheap, and not exactly "Hobby" type, its more of a security robot. I was thinking about attempting to make my own this coming spring, i have some spare cash and would love to set one up! especially if you could get a camera in it .

_____________________________

-Matt- Proud owner of a Walkera 5#10

(in reply to i live for 3D)
       Post #: 7

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember t... - 5/25/2008 2:47:41 PM   
ms0083


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 3/16/2004
From: Kuala Lumour, MALAYSIA
Status: offline 		I couldn't find anything on this ball/sphere made by Nikko, even tried contacting them but no reply so far. Could you be referring to this robot kit by Movit,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaPTQMg71SI

seems to work along the same principles described except for the lack of glowing lights. There's a updated version using IR by a Japanese company called Elekit at

http://www.elekit.co.jp/product/4d522d39373832

Finally found a gigantic version which was at some exposition called Yuri's Night Bay Area 2008,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AX74OYTRxQ

(in reply to coaxial-gyro)
       Post #: 8

RE: R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember t... - 6/3/2008 4:36:19 AM   
pimptruck



Posts: 197
Joined: 10/24/2006
From: Fawnskin, CA, AMERICAN SAMOA (USA)
Status: offline 		I came up with a design last night in bed.
here it is, as best i could express it in pictures.
the motors and gears allow it to turn 360 degrees in place, but only if the pendulum lowers and mounts with the ball

[image] [/image]

Attachments
Click to see fullsize image.
Click for fullsize


_____________________________

It's ok to hear the voices. Just don't do what they tell you.
My Garage:Emaxx, Mini Lst,

(in reply to ms0083)
       Post #: 9

Page:   [1]
All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Unusual R/C >> R/C "Ball?" or Sphere? Anyone remember this?
Page: [1]





Jump to:


Google 



Search | Marketplace | Event Calendar | Local Clubs | Magazine | Product Ratings | New Products | Discussion Forums

Photo Gallery | Member Video Posts | RCU Video Gallery | Instructor Search | Field|Track|Marina Search

Advertisers | Hobby Vendor Resources | Rate Manufacturers | Sign In/Sign Up

SITE MAP!   : :   FORUM RULES

© 2001 - 2007 24-7 RC, LLC, all rights reserved.

Charities we support that also need your help
Yorkie Rescue | Humane Society | ASPCA | Crohn's-Colitis America

Kaango.com Classifieds

0.518RCU2