This is the start of what should be a long term RnD project experiment. The object of this project is to design a low cost robotic platform that we can use to experiment (see our application section) with. To start with, we are going to development a autonomous robot capable of taking inputs from various external sensors including an on-board camera module. The robot will have a WIFI module which could potential be used to interact with its siblings, provide feedback to a master node or even a mean to re-program the robot via a bootloader. It will have a driver system that will allow it to move around its environment. It will also have on board battery which will allow it run untethered.

At a glance, this robot offer no new advancement with regard to the hardware. However, the main purpose of this robot is to provide a low cost platform with enough computing power to allow anyone to experiment with various software technique in a interactive environment. That said, we understand that their are alternative, cheaper solution that most people would be better off using. However, for the purpose of this project and our requirements, it makes more sense for us to develop our own platform that we have full control over.

Application we going to explore

• Swarm interaction
• interactive learning – (neural networks)
• Alternative Image techniques (Inversion)

The Designs

We are planning on releasing video which talks about the design of the robot. this video will talk about the modules that we have selected so far and what we are planning on doing next.

Updates

09 November 2015 – First Project update

• As of today, we have a have tested the robot chassis and motor drive system. We have also uploaded a youtube video of the chassis been 3D printed which also includes a quick motor test at the end.
• We are still in the process of uploading the design files to out github repository.
• We are also waiting for a replacement extruder head for our new 3D printer
• We have the WIFI and camera Modules. We still need to create the KiCad design parts
• We have the initial designs for processing board

Todo

• We need to create the KiCad design parts for the WIFI and camera modules.
• We need pick the battery and design the battery charger for it.

Project Links

Repository: https://github.com/HashDefineElectronics/HDEC-000745
Hackaday.io project page: https://hackaday.io/project/15830-micro-robot-development-platform-hdec-000745

Project Video

Time lapse of chassis been 3D printed

Project Images

Camera modules, Wifi modules, motors and Prototype board

Motor tear down

Robot 3D printed chassis (ABS)

Robot assembled chassis

Are you looking for help?

If you are having issues with your project or are looking for some advice to get your next project started then feel free to contact us. We can provide a bespoke services that suite your needs.

Alternatively, if you are new to electronics and are interesting in learning more about developing your own embedded software and hardware then Contextual electronics is the perfect place to go to. its a pay service that I am part of that provides an apprenticeship style of teaching. You can work at your own pace and have access to any of the instructors for help you may need for your projects.