Using AI to ressurect old equipment

[Dos_Box]

Just a quick question here, I recall some time back that many were saying they still use old PC's (not network connected) to run things like CNC and other machinery on as the original manufacturers had gone the way of the dodo or stopped support for the kit the school had bought, leaving them to work with no updates or drivers that would allow them to be used on newer operating systems.

Given that AI has proven to be very good at various things code-wise, has anyone tried to have it write newer drivers for your old machinery, or even write a newer version of the (often very) old software you were using for it?

It could be a very good way of harnessing the power of AI to extend the life of old devices and equipment, saving the school money on replacements for perfectly functional kit that would otherwise have been turned into e-waste.

 

Just a thought.

[dhicks]

22 hours ago, Dos_Box said:

Given that AI has proven to be very good at various things code-wise, has anyone tried to have it write newer drivers for your old machinery, or even write a newer version of the (often very) old software you were using for it?

 

I've not yet tried getting a n AI coding assistant to write anything that controls physical hardware, although it sounds like it would make for an interesting exercise. I do currently have a USB DMX interface not being used, which could do with a nice touch-screen user interface for lighting control, that might make a good first project. It might be a good idea to be careful as to exactly what hardware you are hooking up to AI-written code - for some reason I'm picturing a mini PC on a motorised wheeled base with a webcam and a circular saw from a sawbench...

[FN-GM]

It might be do-able. But it doesn't remove the concerns around cyber security.

[msi_school]

To be fair it removes the outdated OS cyber security risk and replaces it with the unsupported, built with unknown tools and almost untested driver cyber security risks instead 

[Dos_Box]

Yes, but you can still use the machine air-gapped, just on a newer supported OS, rather than on older 'puters which, whilst cheap to replace, can be getting quite unreliable.
Yes, there are risks, but you can have AI produce the source code and have that checked.
I think it would be a nice little project for someone to try and post the results up.
There is a technical webinar here that goes through it in depth. Not had chance to watch it all yet, but does have some good points to note in it.

 

 

[Chris_Cook]

I used dosbox to run the software for an old Dos/BBC Micro CNC mini lathe. Never actually connected it to the machine though as the school got rid of it.

 

It would be interesting to try it out, but the drivers are only a part of the issue.

 

for important machines, there should really be manufacturer support in place, and you would need to be careful with anything involving spinning blades or lasers. Not sure if most schools would have the experience to safely ensure that mechanical safeguards + interlocks are in place and the machines aren't pushed beyond their mechanical limits, as well as ensuring calibration and accuracy. Some machines might also use the PC for timing which could also be an issue.

 

Whilst I'm all for keeping things going, if its important to the running of the school, then its important that the school finds the budget to fund its replacement. Anything that doesn't have compatible drivers is probably old enough to warrant replacing. And you then become the permanent tech support for that software until the school finally decides to stop bodging it along.

 

I did engage with Gemini about replacing the control gear in our old GCC laser cutter, but the time estimate it gave was too much for the time I have available. It found some interesting solutions though that I wouldn't have found on my own.