3D Printed 2-wheel robot with Propeller board
This is something I've been meaning to play with for a long time...
It's something like a bigger version of BOE-bot made with 3D printer and
a Propeller board called "Manta" that I've been working on for a long time...
The body was printed as one piece. The wheels printed separately.
For the wheels, I've made them so that the servo hubs I have mate cleanly and embed in the wheel.
Using buna O-rings that fit in grooves in the wheels to make good contact with floor.
This version is meant to be a line follower.
It has a camera on the bottom of the board that looks down to the floor under the robot.
There are white LEDs that give light for the camera (actually, these need to be moved to the sides
because they give some glare on the screen where they are on top).
The view area is about the same as the LCD size, so it worked out to be a nearly 1:1 ratio on the screen.
Right now, I'm using a Wii wireless Nunchuck to drive the bot around for testing.
My kids were having a lot of fun with that until one sat on the robot (now it needs fixing...).
Instead of a wheel or ball for the 3rd wheel, I'm using a magic slider disk that is embedded into a curved foot.
Seems to work nicely...
Anyway, just wanted to share info on this project, here are some pics:
It's something like a bigger version of BOE-bot made with 3D printer and
a Propeller board called "Manta" that I've been working on for a long time...
The body was printed as one piece. The wheels printed separately.
For the wheels, I've made them so that the servo hubs I have mate cleanly and embed in the wheel.
Using buna O-rings that fit in grooves in the wheels to make good contact with floor.
This version is meant to be a line follower.
It has a camera on the bottom of the board that looks down to the floor under the robot.
There are white LEDs that give light for the camera (actually, these need to be moved to the sides
because they give some glare on the screen where they are on top).
The view area is about the same as the LCD size, so it worked out to be a nearly 1:1 ratio on the screen.
Right now, I'm using a Wii wireless Nunchuck to drive the bot around for testing.
My kids were having a lot of fun with that until one sat on the robot (now it needs fixing...).
Instead of a wheel or ball for the 3rd wheel, I'm using a magic slider disk that is embedded into a curved foot.
Seems to work nicely...
Anyway, just wanted to share info on this project, here are some pics:
Comments
Love the Manta! Is there more info about that project somewhere on the Forums?
Here's some info on it:
http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Manta/Manta_ProductBrief.pdf
Adding servo motor support was an afterthought.
Requires running jumper wires from right side to left side of the board.
Glad I did it though...
I have many software examples, but some things still need a lot of work.
Still need to be able to go to and from jpg compression and save to full size SD card.
There are other drivers that could use improvement too...
Also, although I have test programs to test all the components separately, I don't yet have a good demo program that
shows all the capabilities...
But, I've started to use these boards for some of my personal projects and it's working out nicely...
One project is connection to FLIR Lepton infrared camera. Lets me show high quality preview on LCD and save to SD when button pushed.
I've got another one doing home automation, working the X10 compatible lighting by connecting to a hacked wireless Firecracker module.
That one is working nicely too, but could use code improvements when I get time.