Outdoor Self-Sufficient Experimental Rover (OSSER)
MacGeek117
Posts: 747
in Robotics
Well, I have definitely bitten off more than I can chew this time......
Got this idea from the book 'Build Your Own Robot!' by Karl Lunt.
Excellent read, highly recommend it, even though it was published in 2000.
One of the chapters (all based on Nuts & Volts articles the author wrote) details a 'bot called 'BYRD' (Back Yard Research Drone), made out of a wheeled cooler.
Based on that chapter, I've had a bit of a (decade-long) dream to build something similar.
So..... Decided this past weekend to pull the trigger and start building this bad boy....
This thread will be ongoing, as OSSER will take quite a while to complete due to both time and finances.
Moderators: if I've dropped this in the wrong category, please put it where it belongs, and thank you!
Project Details: (sparse right now, will be updated as I learn and figure out more) [all part numbers listed are for Parallax products]
Chassis will be a large-ish cooler (~30" long, ~20" wide), with locomotion provided by #28962 motor and wheel kit and #28961 caster kit.
SLA(s?) for a power source, possibly 2 12v in parallel
12v solar panel mounted on top, at minimum will allow the robot to recharge batteries when drained, I'm hoping the the current supplied by the panel will be enough to power the 'bot. If anyone has suggestions or knows of a better panel, please let me know. I value any advice and feedback you guys have!
DHB-10 for driving the motors, may be writing my own firmware for that to add a complete shutdown command (Plans are to have the robot almost completely shut down to recharge the batteries)
At least 2 Propellers for brains, may use 3 (one will be devoted to sensor data aggregation, and possibly navigation (although that may be relegated to a third Prop...), one will be a high-level 'directives' controller, intergacing with a GPS unit (#28510) and an XBee for a datalink)
Object sensors include (but not limited to!) 6 #28997 and 6 #28999 Sharp IR distance sensors and possibly a few PING)))s
Sensirion SHT-11 (#28018) for datalogging and other as yet undefined purposes
LM34 (#604-00011) for monitoring the internal temperature of the cooler and electronics, might install a servo or linear actuator to pop open the lid if things get too toasty inside...
SD card for datalogging
Like I said, bitten off a lot more than I can chew, but this will no doubt be a HUGE learning experience and hopefully tons of fun!
Cheers,
Pete
Got this idea from the book 'Build Your Own Robot!' by Karl Lunt.
Excellent read, highly recommend it, even though it was published in 2000.
One of the chapters (all based on Nuts & Volts articles the author wrote) details a 'bot called 'BYRD' (Back Yard Research Drone), made out of a wheeled cooler.
Based on that chapter, I've had a bit of a (decade-long) dream to build something similar.
So..... Decided this past weekend to pull the trigger and start building this bad boy....
This thread will be ongoing, as OSSER will take quite a while to complete due to both time and finances.
Moderators: if I've dropped this in the wrong category, please put it where it belongs, and thank you!
Project Details: (sparse right now, will be updated as I learn and figure out more) [all part numbers listed are for Parallax products]
Chassis will be a large-ish cooler (~30" long, ~20" wide), with locomotion provided by #28962 motor and wheel kit and #28961 caster kit.
SLA(s?) for a power source, possibly 2 12v in parallel
12v solar panel mounted on top, at minimum will allow the robot to recharge batteries when drained, I'm hoping the the current supplied by the panel will be enough to power the 'bot. If anyone has suggestions or knows of a better panel, please let me know. I value any advice and feedback you guys have!
DHB-10 for driving the motors, may be writing my own firmware for that to add a complete shutdown command (Plans are to have the robot almost completely shut down to recharge the batteries)
At least 2 Propellers for brains, may use 3 (one will be devoted to sensor data aggregation, and possibly navigation (although that may be relegated to a third Prop...), one will be a high-level 'directives' controller, intergacing with a GPS unit (#28510) and an XBee for a datalink)
Object sensors include (but not limited to!) 6 #28997 and 6 #28999 Sharp IR distance sensors and possibly a few PING)))s
Sensirion SHT-11 (#28018) for datalogging and other as yet undefined purposes
LM34 (#604-00011) for monitoring the internal temperature of the cooler and electronics, might install a servo or linear actuator to pop open the lid if things get too toasty inside...
SD card for datalogging
Like I said, bitten off a lot more than I can chew, but this will no doubt be a HUGE learning experience and hopefully tons of fun!
Cheers,
Pete
Comments
Capricorn or Scorpio?
I'll have some pics of the cooler towards the end of the month
Although.... I could block off a section and install a Peltier junction to cool it.....
Any thoughts for a specific sensor?
BTW, here's the chassis:
Good call, rosco-pc! Thanks, I completely missed that amazing thread.
Really awesome project there!
My sketching skills are horrible, but attached is a rough idea of what the 'bot may look like.
Tail-dragger like CoolerBot, but 'slightly' smaller wheels
So, this will lay dormant for a while, working on another project in the meantime, will start a thread for that soon.
I presume you're still committed to keeping a few cold ones in the cooler, even though your project is in stasis?
That is the way almost every project gets built! Work on piece independently - later they can be combined for the end result.
Example, - a small drive platform, a power system, a sensor system - then later you integrate them!
You can still have fun and learn tons along the way!
Keep at it - Don't let erco raid the fridge too much!