91% showable prototype and test session
Following my project plan, I’m 91% complete which is right on time. It’s nice to be on schedule 
Dr. Spalinger build a “faux” bush by putting a dead branch in a base platform of his own design and construction. He also has a pole mount for the polhemus device that can be pushed into the ground. MHS is starting to feel like a real life field project!
We ran MHS through some rudimentary paces. It was a really challenge working in the rebar re-enforced building because the all the steel will messes with the polhemus. I don’t have the same problem at home in my wood construction house. So, I think it will be fine in the field.
For the most part this prototype is satisfactory. Dr. Spalinger is able to orient the pen to an imaginary 3d point. He was able to follow the bare bones sampling wizard. It seems like the most complicated thing is all the stuff you have to hold: a tablet pc, the polhemus pen, and the calipers. Dr. Mock ordered a ruggedized table pc that has a shoulder sling. And Dr. Spalinger is talking about rigging a fishing vest with velcro to hold the equipment. Then the polhemus controller device will be in a backpack. All that sampling gear reminds me of the “human cameras” called gargoyles in Neil Stephenson’s novel Snowcrash. There’s a list of about 15 items to address in this first round of prototyping. NSo, next meeting we’ll be outside sampling real biomass. Then there is two weeks left to polish and document.
By coincedence, Dr. Mock showed up to the lab to pick something up on his way from the Complex Systems luncheon. It turned into a nice show and tell and photo op. See the pictures below.
