Juggler

This application reads 3D geometry parameters from an XML file, then generates and displays a Java3D model. The program provides the user with a set of Swing-based GUI controllers to manipulate the movable parts and animate them. The controllers give the user the ability to control all aspects of the movements and behaviors.

Individually the program parts are a generic solid modeler, and a set of controllers and analyzers.

Collectively, however, it is a simulator of a robot entertainer with a horn instead of a mouth, and a wheel instead of legs. It doodles around a stage while balls are queued into a hopper, then one at a time they are launched out over the stage, where it catches them and adds them to its juggling pattern. It if gets too many balls, or it just gets bored, it will toss balls back into the hopper.

Check out some screen-shots and more details.

I'd actually like to build a working robot that juggles - well, just the arms and eyes anyway - that can see balls coming within reach and catch and juggle them.