Small Robot based on Arduino-Mega

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) General Exhibition
1

Hi,
a few weeks ago, I have started a robot project based on the Arduino-Mega. The resulting rover should navigate trough my flat by using the help of IR-Beacons.

I have started to document the progress of this project on my site.

  • Spirou
2

It's looking nice. Where did you get the chassis?

3

Hi fynflood,
the is chassis from Robotshop.ca.
It works nice but has some small mechanical disadvantages. The connection for the idler wheels is a bit flaky.

  • Spirou
4

Just ordered this the other day, should be good fun - I'm still thinking of a way to set up an easy wiring system so I can swap out pcb boards and components quickly...

5

Wire everything to a prototyping shield, and use it as a "plug" to connect the wiring harness to the Arduino.

Ran

6

I do it mostly the same.

For the robot project I have build a proto shield holding some "standard" connectors for servos and analog-sensors (3 wire [GND,VCC SIGNAL]) and I2C & SPI devices (4 wire [GND,VCC,CLK,DATA]).
Only the motor controller & the motors have its own "special" connectors cause they are kind of "special".

If I have to connect a device that does not fit in the 3 or 4 wire class, I use multiples of these connectors. I.E. the I2C color sensor is connected using my standard I2C 4 wire connector while the LED is connected with a 3 wire connector using only the signal wire.

Sticking to standards is a good practice but you have to use common sense to decide when it is time to drop your own "standard" and develop something more custom made.

My "Programable Beacon" subproject is such a project. Here I didn't use any of my "standard" connectors cause the beacons are not meant to be a generic. They only have one purpose - Blink at different frequencies to guide the robot through my flat. Here I use a MINI-PRO to drive the IR-Cluster through an MOSFET. The beacons frequency will be adjustable by using an external device consisting of 3 7-segment LED displays and a rotary encoder with integrated push button.

So my advice is: "Use your common sense and if you are not sure about what your "standard" will be, build a custom shield".
Standards did not emerge from thin air. They evolve. :slight_smile:

  • Spirou
7

Hurray! Further steps where made. My XCode-based Arduino environment is nearly completed and I have started to design the next generation of the IR-Beacons. The new once are intelligent (using a ProMini) and will have a detachable UI-Board to adjust the frequency.

8

I have this same robot, a bit small for my needs tho :cry:

9

I used the same chassis for my programmable tank.
You could push buttons to set a sequence of actions.

10

jezuz is right :slight_smile: The chassis is really small but it has enough room for one or two starter projects. For me, it was the right decision to use this chassis first. Now I know what I want and I have learned to build my own parts.

At the moment, while searching for a proper housing for my beacons I have started to design my own chassis. It is based on the really neat design of the SERB.

  • Spirou
11

is that the omni-wheel roller thing from sparkfun I see in the front of your prototype's chassis?

12

If you are talking about this part. Yes, It is!
B.t.w. it is attached at the stern :slight_smile:

  • Spirou
13

Aha! Cool design m8. :wink:

14

Thanks - I hope it will work as supposed. Tomorrow or the day after the lasered parts will arrive . I'll post pictures as soon as it is up an running.

  • Spirou