Massive Tank Robot. I need ideas for imporvments

Other Hardware Robotics
1

Hi all,
I am building a robot with tank treads that is currently about 50 lbs. and is 3ft long and 2ft wide. I have a picture here with a Nalgene in the background for scale.

Tank Robot.HEIC
Tank Robot.HEIC4032×3024 2 MB

(I have worked on this robot since I took this picture, and I have added radio control. Here is a link to a video of the robot https://photos.app.goo.gl/ukaWuj1yjvMd3X5v5)
I am building this robot for a robotics class, but I already finished getting radio control working and building the entire robot in the last 3 weeks, and there are 12 more weeks of class to go. I want to make the robot cooler, but I am not sure what I should add on.

I have a few ideas:

  1. Adding on another pair of treads so it looks something like this:
    (I have another set of treads like the ones that are currently on the robot)
    4 tank tread robot
  2. Adding on a robotic arm.

What suggestions do you guys have?

2

Try adding an Arduino.

3

Give it a job to do. Perhaps "Get me another Nalgene bottle of water ". Add whatever features you need to achieve it.

Make sure that you have a way to get back quickly to the working model you have today if your enhancements don't pan out.

4

Thank you @anon57585045 for you suggestion. I am planning on adding an Arduino so that the robot can operate autonomously. Basically just not running into things if it loses contact with the receiver.

5

Hi,
Nice chassis.
Put a Dalek chassis over the top, with moving appendages and lights.
It doesn't have to be as elaborate as the real ones, or as big, but it would give your robot some "character".

mscuk002_1
mscuk002_11920×1920 215 KB

Just a thought, even a representative shape of a Dalek would be cool.
Some heavy card board from packing boxes, and Dr Who is your Uncle. :+1:

Tom... :grinning: :+1: :coffee: :australia:

6
  1. Add Arduino and distance sensors
  2. Recreate the navigation of a robotic vacuum cleaner.
  3. Terrorize your classmates.