Specs:
Design and build an apparatus for monitoring the stance positions, as a function of time, of the eight legs of a tarantula, during locomotion. Capture a series of images of the tarantula's feet (leg pads), at 0.1 sec intervals, that can be uploaded to a computer. The computer will be able analyze the images, perhaps using the Matlab Image Processing Toolbox. The softwae will be able to save and plot the pad array data as a function of time and position.

The apparatus will encourage the spider to locomote toward a distant IR heat source during the image capture. It will be able to capture images through at least 3 complete cycles of locomotion.

Manual analysis of the captured images will confirm that the software resolves the centers of the pads to within 4mm of center.

The digital camera to be incorporated in the design will cost less than 2000$. Its shutter will be controllable by the computer, perhaps through a LabVIEW program.

Until the Specs are met, the guaranteed appearance time for weekly meeting of Brian & Abe with Prof. Daniels will be Thurs at 4pm.