I have a functioning proto of Namco's Mappy MicroMouse.  This product is
marketed by Namco in Japan as a hobbyist kit (ala Heathkit) for building
and programming your own MicroMouse Maze contestant.  The original MicroMouse
Maze contests originated in the U.S. several years ago. Though the level of
popularity and interest in it has faded recently in the U.S., the contest
concept has received enthusuastic support and an avid following in Japan by
both hobbyists and corporations.  Mr. Nakamura, as president of Namco, is
one of the major corporate supporters of this movement in Japan, and serves
on the Executive Committee that is trying to organize and sponsor both
national and international contests thru-out Japan and the world. I suspect
it is this pet project interest of Mr. Nakamura that led to Namco's develop-
ment and marketing of the Mappy MicroMouse.  Anyway.....
   We now have a mechanically functioning prototype with reasonable mechanical
capabilities but no smarts.  Other than a simple selftest program and a couple
simple motion algorithms (i.e. left-hand rule), the kit comes basically
"unprogrammed".  Soooo, if anybody out there has an interest in AI or just
plain thinks they're clever or just wants to goof around, you're welcome and
encouraged to borrow the rodent and see what you can make it do.  Some English
instructions, batteries, and any required Eproms included. And if you can
guarantee a successful maze completion in less than 30 seconds, we'll consider
sending you to Japan this summer to compete in the international contest
being held at the Tskuba Expo 85 Science Exhibit.  (The most recent contest
winner had a best time of 30.13 seconds. See article in IEEE "The Insitute"
June, 1985.)
                                                              Dan Van