This is my first post on this forum and I'm most probably a newbie compared to you all. However, I'm determined to complete a project at my University.
So I'm supposed to manufacture a wireless controlled, object carrying robot. Even though I'm studying mechanical engineering (i'm not really good at electronics) I thought I can do this by using Arduino.
Here are my requirements;
Two wheels which can rotate both forwards and backwards separate from each other = Two motors
2 motors to hold and raise the object (that is going to be moved to another place)
Wireless communication.
I made some research and found the following components applicable;
A shield in order to control 4 motors separately, both clockwise and counter-clockwise?
So I found some information but still I'm really confused about what do use. I think I'll be okay with the programming but the electronics are killing me =(
Do think these components are adequate for my object?
Do you have any advice, comment, question?
On the subject of holding the object, does the robot have to sense the object in any way or will you steer the robot in?- asking because sensing the object before the robot grasps it, adds another level of complexity.
In either case, with it sensing or you being the driver, how will the robot grasp and lift the object?- I'm imagining some kind of gripper? In that case servo motors might be a worth looking at, rather than plain old dc motors, and servos (servi? 8) ) are easy to control. Sparkfun, for example, have this claw and there are numerous examples on the 'net of custom-made ones using servos.
JimboZA:
On the subject of holding the object, does the robot have to sense the object in any way or will you steer the robot in?- asking because sensing the object before the robot grasps it, adds another level of complexity.
In either case, with it sensing or you being the driver, how will the robot grasp and lift the object?- I'm imagining some kind of gripper? In that case servo motors might be a worth looking at, rather than plain old dc motors, and servos (servi? 8) ) are easy to control. Sparkfun, for example, have this claw and there are numerous examples on the 'net of custom-made ones using servos.
No sensing is required since the robot is going to be controlled wirelessly. Most probably I'm going to manufacture a gripper much similar to the one you have showed. Do I need an additional shield in order to control a "servo motor" (which is something that I should read more about)? Lets say that I bought two servo motors, can I still use DC motors for the wheels?
Well that depends how many pins you use up with driving the motors and that depends on the exact shield you use. But in essence, each servo needs just one pin to control it, with the servos' other two wires simply being + and 0 from a power supply.
Have a squiz at the servo library and one of the tutorials. The tutorial, btw, shows the servo getting its power from the Arduino.... that's flaky since the current required by a servo under load may pop the board. Might be ok for testing, but far better to hook up the servo to its own power.
Two wheels which can rotate both forwards and backwards separate from each other = Two motors
2 motors to hold and raise the object (that is going to be moved to another place)
Wireless communication.
If your bot only has two wheels, that makes things more interesting, but doable. How big will the bot be? Below is some two wheeled bot tinkering that might give you some ideas.
Thank you JimboZA I'll take a look at the servo motors as you suggested. And the gripper I was thinking to manufacture is very similar to the one you have shared. By the way, plural servo = servos
@zoomkat
Please excuse me for not being clear enough. By saying two wheels, I didn't mean a self balancing robot. Two wheels (connected to servo motors) and a free wheel which can turn in any direction (I do not know what they are called).
Please excuse me for not being clear enough. By saying two wheels, I didn't mean a self balancing robot. Two wheels (connected to servo motors) and a free wheel which can turn in any direction (I do not know what they are called).
If you keep the center of mass of the bot below the center line of its wheels, the bot self balances without any special electronics. How big is the bot? What type and size is the object? Will typicqal RC equipment suffice for "wireless"? Specifics need to be sorted out to have practical suggestions.
