Hi all, I'm quite new to the Arduino world, but I've been dying to dive in for a while. I saw something online, and I want to replicate it with some modifications. I'm more concerned with the hardware over the coding right now. Below is a picture of what I am trying to replicate, but with the following features:
I want all four wheels to drive it
I want to have it follow me around using either GPS or RFID
I want to be able to avoid obstacles
I want to attach a camera in one of the "eyes" that can transmit and/or record
I (possibly?) want it to "bark" when it hears a certain command or sound (like a clap)
I would like the eyes to have a very subtle glow to them, and possibly have IR for the camera in very low light.
I know it's very ambitious, but easy is for the feint of heart. As far as the physical design, I have that under control. I am using scraps that I have lying around, spray painted to look rusty. But the hardware and controller, that's where I have my questions.
I was thinking of an Arduino Uno board, but what about other parts? What kind of servos would you recommend? And a GPS or RFID? And for the camera?
Size isn't a major concern, since I am using a large coffee can container as the body, with plenty of room to fit and conceal hardware in it.
I'm also looking to not break the bank, or my wife might break me.
So if I could get any advice, either on what I should use, or the feasibility of what I am trying to do (is it possible? Am I trying to get it to do too much?) I would really appreciate it.
Look for "follow me robot" to get an idea on why you don't see these toys on the market. It's hands down the hardest part of your project, and for that reason you should leave that for last. First try to get everything else going, including remote control.
GPS is useless: too low resolution, doesn't work indoors/under bridges/under trees/etc.
RFID is even more useless: too little range, no idea on direction/distance.
The Uno is a good starting point. You may later need a Mega or so, too early to tell whether the Uno has enough I/O for you.
Arduinos can not handle video. Your video eyes will have to work independently - look into webcams/security cameras that are designed to connect to and stream video over WiFi.
Using video to recognise you and avoid obstacles is not going to work, the Arduino is not up to it.
The Arduino could though control another device which could take pictures and send video.
You could perhaps achieve the effect of the dog following you by wearing a bright IR source and having the dog move towards that. You would need to avoid obstructions blocking the dog's line-of-sight of the IR source. To an observer though it might look as if the dog is following 'you'.
Avoiding obstacles is also tricky. Switch arrangements to detect contact with objects would be messy and spoil the look of the dog. The Arduino could use ultrasonics to avoid some objects and that could probably be hidden in the dog design.
Another idea, and I am thinking out loud here, is that you could use the IR you are wearing to secretly signal to the dog. As well as having an Arduino in the dog you could also be wearing one. Switches in your pocket could get your Arduino to send messages to the dog via the IR e.g. bark, veer left, veer right, pee, do some complicated pre-programmed move. To a human the dog might appear to be doing some really clever stuff autonomously.
If you ever get this working it would be good to see a video of it in action.
Thank you both for the advice. I am going to paint the parts to have a rusted look this weekend, and hopefully by next week I'll be able to start putting this thing together.
I'm going to try the easy steps first, which is to get this thing to roll and move. I am sure I will have many more questions as this project progresses.
Once I get it moving, I will make sure to get a video uploaded! I'm also going to try and take a lot of pictures during the build itself so I can document the whole thing.
BklnStorm:
......
Once I get it moving, I will make sure to get a video uploaded! I'm also going to try and take a lot of pictures during the build itself so I can document the whole thing.
Very few people post details of their finished work, I guess a lot of projects fall by the wayside. Your dog is already a success though so be sure to post.
