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The Terminator — Parallax Forums

The Terminator

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2013-08-31 20:07 in Robotics
First test of the Terminator, my entry into the Coasterbot contest, a multi-sensor robot using a CD as a chassis. On-board laser targeting system locates small reflective stickers on cans and blasts them with rubber bands. BS2 controlled, the sensors include a Hamamatsu S6986, a PING rangefinder and the distinctive tick-tick-tick of my mechanical 4 PPR wheel encoder on the tricycle drive wheel, driven by a DC gearmotor. Standard servo steering and another 9g continuous rotation servo on the rubber band fire control system! More to come, speech & IR control, but I thought this first test was encouraging enough to share.

Comments

  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2013-08-13 03:49
    Brilliant!!! Educational! Big "Fun Factor"!!

    Put a laser reflective tag on a pressure switch on its butt and when 2 or more get together, they can play tag!

    I'd buy a kit or try and build. I could see it being a hit with my 4-h kids or a robotics club!

    Well played, Master Erco, well played!!
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2013-08-13 04:06
    Pretty neato erco!

    I'm sure you sent Phil his royalty check. :)

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/139293-S2-Marauder-12-shot-Semi-automatic-...
  • Martin_HMartin_H Posts: 4,051
    edited 2013-08-13 06:36
    That is awesome.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-13 15:49
    Publison wrote: »
    I'm sure you sent Phil his royalty check. :)

    Yes, I was heavily inspired by PhiPi's magnificent Marauder. As Pablo Picasso said, “Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal”. :)
    Phil's shooter is far slicker than mine, mine is sinfully simple. Details in a while. Swamped right now...so much time and so little to do!

    "Wait...Strike that... Reverse it"... Willie Wonka
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2013-08-13 15:56
    We bow to the VIP;

    master of plywood. and relays. :)
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-13 22:21
    mindrobots wrote: »
    I'd buy a kit or try and build.

    I like your enthusiam, soldier! The sad part is that the Hamamatsu sensor (which makes it work so doggone well with a cheap laser pointer) is obsolete and nearly impossible to find. Junun was the last US source; their site says backordered, but they are out permanently. I've asked. They are available across the pond, though: http://www.active-robots.com/hamamatsu-proximity-detector.html . Otherwise, Junun has lots of good info at http://www.junun.org/MarkIII/Info.jsp?item=79 check all the links on that page. I love Philo.

    I may have to try these other sensors, but they work with IR LEDs, not lasers. Won't be nearly as directional. http://www.junun.org/MarkIII/Info.jsp?item=46
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-16 20:05
    Testing my new camera. Some bot shots, with Parallax gear visible on the business end of the shooter: a PING up front and a pretty red BS2E in that transparent dollar solderless breadboard from Ebay. I practice what I preach!

    That rubber band gun "escapement" is as simple as it gets. Slow to load, but deadly accurate. It's never missed a can in two dozen demos.
    12s.jpg
    922 x 692 - 626K
    21s.jpg
    692 x 922 - 615K
    11s.jpg
    922 x 692 - 651K
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-19 10:57
    I have a long way to go. My rubber band gun just ain't cuttin' in in the real world.
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2013-08-19 13:32
    I like how they refer to them as "puppets" give you a warm, fuzzy feeling! :smile:

    Hey, erco, a little MAP gas out a stainless steel tube could turn the tables on your Terminator!
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2013-08-19 13:42
    That's spectacular erco! Not kidding! :-)

    I especially like how you simulated plastic by shaving down that hunk of plywood, and gave it a nice coat of silver paint to make it look like a real CD!
    -MattG
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-19 17:17
    Matt Gilliland wrote: »
    I especially like how you simulated plastic by shaving down that hunk of plywood, and gave it a nice coat of silver paint to make it look like a real CD!
    -MattG

    Then you'll be friggin' blown away by how I shaved & painted a Propeller to look & act like a BS2E!
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,451
    edited 2013-08-19 17:59
    AND SO IT BEGINS. Going to start hoarding food and hide in my cellar.

    OMG I live in Louisiana and don't have a cellar because it would flood. I am so screwed.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-19 18:46
    No worries, localroger. Just remember, when the robot uprising begins, GO UPSTAIRS. And just to be safe, do not wear reflective socks.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASoCJTYgYB0&feature=player_detailpage&t=52
  • Mike CookMike Cook Posts: 829
    edited 2013-08-22 06:05
    erco,

    When you have time can you post a picture of your ‘Terminator’, looking down the ‘rubber band barrel’? I would like to see how you have the S6809 mounted in relation to the laser pointer.

    Thanks,
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-22 07:11
    Butt to nuts close. You can see a top view at http://forums.parallax.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=103390&d=1376708680. Laser is on the right, sensor is right under it. You can see four pins extending left into a socket. Will share a full frontal (?) pic soon.
  • Mike CookMike Cook Posts: 829
    edited 2013-08-22 07:15
    So I’m assuming you did not use a lens on the laser sensor. What’s the detection range? A meter or less?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-22 07:16
    8-10 feet, no lens with the best reflector. Not bad!

    With a lens, I'm guessing 20-30 feet.
  • Mike CookMike Cook Posts: 829
    edited 2013-08-22 07:27
    WOW! I'll stop looking for plastic Lenses!


    Looks pretty simple to build and operate.


    Once you get it figured out (who gets what; Laser Sensor, line encoder) send me a bill!
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-08-22 08:23
    Very cool project erco!

    You convinced me to try a couple of those sensors.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-24 19:38
    Laser-tracking to a reflector: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EVBZaRF80o

    Actively steering toward the right edge of the reflector.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-08-24 21:35
    erco wrote: »
    Laser-tracking to a reflector:

    Actively steering toward the right edge of the reflector.

    I don't think I'm going to be able to withstand the temptation to follow in your footsteps once again.

    I have lots of lasers and I have yet to add on to a robot (how embarrassing). Either a robot or a shark will soon have one of my lasers mounted on it.

    Very, very cool project erco!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-24 21:56
    Naturally, three reflectors allow running a triangular course. Easy peezy, DD! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beoNr5vsbGw
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-08-31 20:07
    My official robot video for Jameco's contest. Rushed and imperfect, but it shows the potential. This bot has a mechanical 4 PPR wheel encoder, which I haven't even used yet. There is a figure 8 in this bot's future.
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