http://idealmechanism.com/projects Ideal Mechanism Projects Wed, 30 Jan 2008 10:18:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Audi was the first to market with an all LED Headlight system in the A8. When Audi and the Volkswagen of America Electronics Research Laboratory needed help to develop a prototype next generation system using even more ground breaking technology, they turned to Ideal Mechanism for mechanical, thermal, and ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=3 SWARM is an art project consisting of 6 autonomous spherical robots, which are guided by GPS and inertial sensors to create motion evocative of swarming behavior in nature. SWARM was originated by Ideal Mechanism principal Michael Prados, who did the majority of the mechanical design and control systems design. ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=11 While developing a new category-defining mobile device for large diversified company, Ecco Design needed to research and prototype new input, feedback, and illumination devices. Ideal Mechanism built a functional prototype using Ecco's aesthetic models, allowing the client to experience and compare first hand the impact of ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=4 Ben Cohen, cofounder of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, founded True Majority in order to promote making issues like education, the environment, and health care bigger spending priorities for the federal government. In order to draw attention to these causes, True Majority and its companion organization, Business Leaders for ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=9 The Paxscan 4336 is a portable digital radiography panel being developed by Varian Medical Systems in conjunction with Sparkfactor Design. In order to assure that this valuable device can withstand the rigors of the hospital environment, Ideal Mechanism designed shock absorption to meet challenging packaging requirements and conducted drop ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=8 Calling upon years of expertise with advanced touch screen functionality, Ideal Mechanism prepared a technical report on the state-of-the-art in touch screen technology as a guide to future research at the Volkswagen ERL. http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=16 In order to improve the functionality of the Volkswagen Electronics Research Laboratories state of the art vehicle simulator cockpit, Ideal Mechanism designed an electronic and mechanical interface to integrate an OEM-style shifter and steering wheel. http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=17 LED Wheels is developing a wheel based display to allow drivers to personalize their vehicles with active content and to enable mobile advertising. Ideal Mechanism developed a wheel-based power system for the display which avoids costly modifications to the vehicle electrical system, and designed a persistence-of-vision based display system ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=15 The model makers at Gemmiti Model Art are experts at their craft, but sometimes scale architectural models require special illumination and electronics. The model of the Northern Terrace housing development for Meritage Homes required 1,000 L.E.D.s, which had to be controlled in different sectors from an attractive and intuitive ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=5 The Serpent Mother is a large scale kinetic fire sculpture built by the Flaming Lotus Girls, a San Francisco based art group. Ideal Mechanism principal Michael Prados was primarily responsible for the 5 degree of freedom, hydraulically actuated head and neck, and for the geometry of the 160 foot ... http://idealmechanism.com/projects/?p=18