It’s been a while since I posted here, so a big update is in order.
I finally fixed my WiPort problems.
How, you ask?
I converted it into an expensive paperweight.
This time, I’ll K.I.S.S. and go with good old reliable (read: slow) bluetooth and leave WiFi to the big boys.
Yesterday, I sent the biped on its way to Dan’s house.
He’ll be installing a Bluetooth module and taking the biped to Cali on Tuesday for the RoboGames (at least, I think that was the event).
It’s not in any way completed (I didn’t finish programming him to get up after he’s fallen), so I doubt that he’d do decently in any of the Robo1 events (even if Dan has time to enter it, which depends).
However, exposure is all I’m after, anyhow.
Since I can’t get out to Cali and meet the hot gals – oops, I mean big robot guys – myself, I’m sending my biped in my stead.
Who knows, maybe some billionaire benefactor will see promise in what I’m “working” on…
Meanwhile, my classes are coming to a close this week, and I’ll have a month free before they start up again.
I plan to use the time wisely to give my biped a total makeover (when he comes back home, that is).
I’d show you guys the plans, but they’re in an inaccessable file format.
This is because I’m using an AutoCAD program that I wrote myself.
I call the program “Pencil And Paper”.
Basically, he’s being converted from a humanoid into an “ape-oid”.
I want a biped that can dynamically and easily switch from bipedal motion into quadrepedal motion.
Thus, an ape’s “knuckle-walking” is perfect for me.
By reversing the slanted “C” brackets, the hands hang down longer.
I’m exchanging the current 4DOF non-gripping hands for 3DOF hands + a gripper (technically, it’s still 4DOF).
The LP waist rotate I’m removing and replacing with a huge 805BB.
I’ve had some problems with overheating the waist rotate with constant use (I really like using it to punch things hard), so I figure that a big-ass servo will do nicely there.
It’ll mean that I’ll have to make my own ASB-04-like bracket for the much bigger servo (hey, Jim, that’s something that we need), but that shouldn’t be too difficult.
I’m also sloping the “butt” upwards with another slanted “C” bracket, which will make his legs shorter.
In essence, I’m widening and lengthening the arms and shortening the legs.
This way, he won’t have to fall onto his hands when he wants a quadrepedal gate.
Instead, he can reach down and touch the floor easilly.
Oh, and I widened the arms so that the feet could go between them without hitting them, just like an ape’s do.
I can’t wait to see how this turns out.
I’m a pretty decent artist, so I’ve got a good idea, but the finished product is always so much better.
Especially when Jim makes it!
After that, I’ll start working on my controller board in earnest.