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Small swarm

While I work up to my more ambitious project (http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/164862/outdoor-self-sufficient-experimental-rover-osser), decided to start a smaller project to keep my motivation up.

Ordered 3 of these: https://www.servocity.com/whippersnapper and will be assembling a small robot swarm.

Eventually each will have an XBee and an IR beacon for finding and communicating with each other.

Hopefully will receive the chassis by this weekend, so pictures will be incoming soon!
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Comments

  • Had quite a bit of fun shopping at Pololu, they're having a Halloween sale with some pretty good prices: https://www.pololu.com/category/153/polo-boo-halloween-sale
    Picked up motor driver modules for only $3.90 a piece, kinda feel like erco now!

    The motors on each side will be connected in parallel, max current in that configuration is 500mA, so well within the limits of the drivers I'll be using: https://www.pololu.com/product/2135

    https://www.pololu.com/product/2474 For object detection, first time I've ever used these.

    Now comes the most difficult part of the process: waiting for the toys to arrive...
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    edited 2016-10-12 02:25
    Nice swarm project and a good-looking chassis. Are you supposed to screw or glue it together? The construction video just said "snap". From the 140 RPM spec, I'm guessing those are the 1:48 gearmotors. Undergeared and too fast IMO for the 2WD bots you see everywhere, but since the Runt Rover is 4WD it might work out just right. Have fun building and keep up posted!
  • From what I'm seeing, I just have to snap it together, but after I get everything laid out I'll glue the joints just to be safe

    The motor math keeps working out to 18" per second no load, I'm guessing half that once batteries are installed

    5 AA's for the power source

    And this will be featured in your figure-8 challenge!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    MacGeek117 wrote: »
    And this will be featured in your figure-8 challenge!

    That's so boss, Boss!

  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    I may have a swarm of my own... I just bought a few of these small 2WD chasses direct from Feetech China. Neat little robots, but my favorite part is that let you choose which gear ratio, 48:1, 120:1 or 256:1.

    https://www.amazon.com/ROBOT-2WD-KIT2-FT-DC-002-Build-Bot-Crumblebot-Mindsets/dp/B01L3QAR7A

  • Crumblebot....
    I love it!

    I'm pretty sure I'd be able to switch out the motors if I need, just will require testing.

    Shipping info says most of the parts should be here by this weekend
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    WRT F8C (the Figure 8 Challenge), I don't recall seeing multiple bots (a swarm) doing an 8 at the same time. THAT would be a great first. Might need collision avoidance to prevent a demo derby though...

  • Oh Yea! Figure 8 with two S3' with collision avoidance with PING:)) on servo.

    Whit, make use proud! (I don't have the hardware to do this).

  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    Publison wrote: »
    Oh Yea! Figure 8 with two S3' with collision avoidance with PING:)) on servo.

    I see a smackdown between a Scribbler, an S2 and an S3 duking it out around a Figure 8 course.

    "Three bot enter, one bot leave".



    Better yet, the Parallax "Gang of Three" takes on the diminutive "Gang of Five"...

    Gangnum Style! http://mrmercury.webs.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=3990619

    Gang%20of%20five%20mini%20set.JPG




  • erco wrote: »
    WRT F8C (the Figure 8 Challenge), I don't recall seeing multiple bots (a swarm) doing an 8 at the same time. THAT would be a great first. Might need collision avoidance to prevent a demo derby though...

    Challenge accepted!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    MacGeek117 wrote: »
    Challenge accepted!

    Oooooooooohhh, the race to do the first swarm figure 8 is on! Minimum 3 robots to call a swarm. Crashing/overlapping/avoidance a plus but not required.

    FYI: If I make the figure 8 big enough, I've got a huge jump on you: http://forums.parallax.com/discussion/139118/scribbler-follow-the-leader



  • Avoidance may not happen right away, still waiting on some parts, but bear in mind that this will be accomplished without encoders
  • MacGeek117MacGeek117 Posts: 747
    edited 2016-10-13 21:07
    Chassis and brains arrived today in typical fashion, about 15 minutes before I had to leave for work... going to drill holes for the battery packs today, will post pictures tonight.

    Still waiting on packages from pololu and mouser; sensors, motor drivers, ADCs, and 2.1mm barrel connectors
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    This swarm of five Scribblers was relisted... http://www.ebay.com/itm/371764614857
  • Too bad these do no qualify for the BSA Robotics Merit Badge. Would have been a good score for a Troop.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    Maybe if they were badly broken in shipping and needed debug and repair. Give USPS a chance!
  • Publison wrote: »
    Too bad these do no qualify for the BSA Robotics Merit Badge. Would have been a good score for a Troop.

    I wish that merit badge had been in existence when I was a Scout, would have been all over that like white on rice...

    Pololu parts should arrive today, all that's left is the ADCs from mouser...
  • Here are the images i have so far: https://www.flickr.com/gp/145916570@N04/j8518B
  • lol the same junky radioshack soldering iron I've been using for over a decade.

    What do you think of that robot chassis so far?
  • I like the look and feel so far, haven't had much of a chance to do anything with them yet.
    Just received the motor drivers, sensors, and ADCs right before I left for work. (Now doesn't that just make you want to spend 10h away from home...)

    Motors have a nice sound, rather quiet compared to what I expected.

    Not terribly torque-y, but should be more than enough for the size. I can easily switch them out if needed.

    I do have a favor to ask from all of you because I'm terrible at this part:

    What would you recommend for names?
  • Huey, Dewey and Louie

    Enjoy!

    Mike
  • I knew that was coming :)
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    Those cute "Silent Running" drones were the inspiration behind my...

  • Oh my
    That is awesome!
  • IR sensor bracket blanks:
    https://flic.kr/p/Njcxpa
  • IT LIVES!!! Kindof, anyway...
    Got the motor driver installed on the first 'bot, powered it up and suddenly had to run to catch the darn thing.

    Math says the motors should run at 18" per second at 4.5V, running these at 7.5.

    First video here:
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    Pretty quick! Obviously you can PWM the speed down without too much trouble in a straight line. The acid test is how controllably it can turn with 4 wheels scrubbing.

    Barely related but fun IMO: For the drifting set, scrubbing is used to advantage.



  • MacGeek117MacGeek117 Posts: 747
    edited 2016-10-18 20:51
    Won't be able to do any real testing until tomorrow morning, one of the joys of working nights

    The motor drivers have 2 modes, going to test both tomorrow

    May get the sensors mounted tonight
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,244
    @MacGeek117: See http://www.ebay.com/itm/360812723413 if you want some slower/torquier gearmotors. Hurry, he only has 2 pairs left, enough for one of your 4WD rovers.

    I buy from this US seller regularly and I know he's one of very few guys selling 120:1 gearboxes instead of the more common 48:1, which is what your rovers have. Best price, too, at $7/pair with free ship. Wheels included.

    He'll stock up again, so you can buy more later if you like them. And you will.

  • I might just get those...

    So far the motors provided have more than enough torque for running around, and I don't have much weight on them besides the batteries.

    I'll post some more videos of motor tests tomorrow, life said no to testing today.

    Hopefully by this weekend I'll have the sensors mounted and functioning, and might be able to order parts to build the IR beacons!
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