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I'm working on an impossible robot — Parallax Forums

I'm working on an impossible robot

robot mogulrobot mogul Posts: 32
edited 2010-11-20 09:17 in Robotics
I have been building robots for a year and now I want to make an impossible robot. It would have almost all the possible features onboard, packed into a titanium frame with a one point led system and a propeller in the main frame. I have a few blueprints, skimatics, even a model, but I need some help finishing them, if you could leave any suggestions, it would be a real help.

Comments

  • Daniel HarrisDaniel Harris Posts: 207
    edited 2010-11-19 16:54
    Is there any way that you could post what you have so far? This way we all can take a look and offer any suggestions.

    Pics, schematics, and good written descriptions of what exactly it is that you want to accomplish are all welcome :).
  • Ken GraceyKen Gracey Posts: 7,392
    edited 2010-11-19 17:14
    Yes, as Daniel pointed out - share what you're doing and the forum will provide feedback. Keep in mind that a robotics project has many disciplines and parts: electrical, mechanical, function, electro-mech integration, etc. You could ask very specific questions like "hey, is this 8020 extruded aluminum the way to go" or "how do I work with titanium". Or, ask about how to cleanly run wires - things get messy on a robot really quickly. There's a lot to talk about with robotics, so feel free to start sharing.

    Ken Gracey
    Parallax Inc.
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2010-11-20 08:07
    Regarding your last two questions ... It's impossible to answer them without more information from you about what you want from your robot and what you're already planning. It would also help for you to talk about your budget. What do you have already?
  • robot mogulrobot mogul Posts: 32
    edited 2010-11-20 08:18
    I am going to use a propeller chip (8 cogs), A Castor, A Parallax (Futaba) Continuous Rotation Servo, A propeller servo controller (USB), A 7.2 vdc Wheel, Bracket, and Motor. I will also use a Motor Mind B Enhanced, a Sound Impact Sensor with a Piezo speaker. For audio I am using an LCD Terminal AppMod. My Budget is now 300 dollars and can be altered by 125 dollars (less) or (more). The intention of building the robot is having it being technalogically advanced and for the robot to be able to display images, sense sounds, the robot should be mobile and extremely productive. It should have a large amount of artificial intelligence and be able to relate to social communities by being able to say trained phrases. I should have a half inch thick titanium frame for strength to hold up the structure of the robot. It is to be on wheels like the Stingray, it should have wheels three inches in diameter. I would prefer using an engine similar to the oversized boe bot (designed by Ken Gracey) along with the backup 7.2 vdc motor. There is no feedback to the controller on wheel position or speed. The frame should be approximately 15 inches in diameter. It would be preferable if the robot could carry loads with a minimum load capacity of 10 pounds and a maximum load capacity of 20 pounds. I expect the robot to be able to move through Tundra.I am planning to use a sound impact sensor in the robot. I was thinking of using a CMUcam1 but if you know please leave an explanation why the one youre referring to is more powerful. I would preferably use a subtotal cheaper than the Stingray.
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2010-11-20 09:17
    What's missing from your information is the "why"s, the intention. There's also a lot of foundational information missing, like what kind of frame and why. What kind of motive power are you using? If this is to be on wheels like the Stingray, what kind of wheels? What kind of motors? Is there feedback to the controller on wheel position and speed? What size frame? How heavy and what sort of size objects do you want to carry? What kind of surfaces and what kind of environments do you expect this robot to move through? Are we talking about hard floors and indoor environments like one floor of a house? What kind of sensors are you planning to use and why? A CMUcam1 is fairly limited in what it can do. Why are you picking that? What do you hope to accomplish with it? A Basic Stamp 1 is very limited in capability. If you're thinking of using that as a 2nd choice, you may not understand what it can do.

    Without more information about what you're trying to accomplish with your robot, it's impossible to advise you about functionality.

    Look at the details of the Stingray and the Scribbler 2. The Stingray sells for about $300 while the Scribbler 2 sells for 1/3 of that. Both use a Propeller as their controller. Both have two wheels and a castor. The Scribbler comes with minimal sensors and the Stingray comes with none. How does what you want compare with the two Parallax robots?

    Parallax robots are very well priced. It's difficult to duplicate the functionality for less. Given that you have a limited budget, what are your priorities?
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