So here is some update on Stanley- Last fall Jim gave me a little tutorial on Pro tools, and I have worked with it in my studio, so I can now record new tracks for Stanley as needed.  I used it to have Stanley sing Happy Birthday for a friend.  Stanley rode on his bike through a restaurant to the table and sang the song..Unfortunately I was hoping that it would also allow me to record Stanley's movements separately, but that is not possible as is.

I recently have been concentrating on making him more independent. I bought an FM transmitter, so that I could control Stanley from a distance with the ipod.  But FM transmission does not keep the signal from the L/R channels completely separate, and the loud servo motor control track sound bleeds over Stanley's voice.  So I decided to split the signal at the Ipod.  I had a broken set of wireless headphones- I gutted it and repackaged the receiver into a small box. I made a custom Y-cable that feeds out of the ipod and splits the signal to the FM transmitter (voice), and the wireless transmitter (servo control).  SO now Stanley could be across the room with a radio in his belly and I could play Ipod tracks without touching him.  

My over all plan is to actually build a Car type vehicle for him.  It will be remote controlled from a suitcase.  A wireless video camera attached to the vehicle will allow me to be out of view when controlling him.  I can then also operate the ipod from the suitcase so he can say a variety of pre-recorded tracks, as well as sing songs.  "It's not easy being Green."  My plan also would include being able to switch to direct control of Stanley AND switch to a microphone, so he could actually talk to people and respond ad lib style.  I picture a Kid walking up to him and Stanley asking his name, then being able to talk to him using his name...

I believe I have all the technical details worked out, it is just a matter of time and design issues.  If I can figure out how to upload pics I will scan some drawings and add them to this blog...

OK cheers,

Joe