I’m a professional nature and wildlife photographer and want to use use a 4WD rover with a simple tilt and pan head using one my EOS5D cameras to approach and photograph wildlife in Africa. Something like Discovery Channel has done, with a 100 meter range using r/c controls).
I have no programming or robot assemblies skills whatsoever. On the other hand, I do have credit cards. I would like to find someone to collaborate with on this project. I buy the hardware, you put it all together and make it work, I compensate you for your time and expertise and you get bragging rights when the images are published.
Don’t you think the LM stock chassis might be a little on the small side for this kind of thing? I was thinking something more like 1/8 scale r/c truck or even Evolutions mid-size tactical platforms would be more in scale.
I’m in Seattle, and as for time frame, I plan on heading back to Botswana in Jan 2008, so we have a little time. As far as requirements go: Several inches of ground clearance to get over low grass and rocks, 50-100 meter RC range, able to handle a 3-pound camera and lens combo, pan and tilt head (pan is more important, I can preset the tilt). As a brand new forum member, I can’t include my email, but feel free to send yours.
Re: EddieB
You might be right, using a commercially available solution could be easier, but there’s something cool about doing it custom and learning something new. Is there an RC truck you recommend? Do you have a link to Evolution’s Tactical Platform
You probably need to post the $$$ range for your project. The legendary race car builder Mickey Thompson used to have a saying when people asked him to build them a car to break some speed record. “The first thing you need to understand is that speed cost money. Now with that understood, just how fast do you want to go?”
Evolution is a fairly regular contributor here so you search his stuff out on the forum easily enough. The R/C truck references was more for an idea of scale in terms of size… wheels diameters are 6-9" rough rough. Even if you get a platform like a canned truck or something advanced like Evolution makes I think you would still want the input/assistance of someone of Alan’s (KM6VV) experience and capabilities.
Have you studied the videos of the 4WD 'Bots? That might give you an idea of the terrain they could handle. I’d do that first, then pick a 'Bot kit, and get it assembled and running on R/C. There were some notes on running with R/C, although I’d have to search for it.
As to the weight, that’s actually quite a bit, (I’m guessing) for the 4WD robots here, I may be wrong. I’d make it a priority to test the payload capacity of the 'Bot chosen as an early step as well.
Then there’s the camera (Cannon EOS 5D?) Nice camera. Will you want a short range RF video link (for viewfinder?), I’m sure they are readily available. More weight. You will probably need custom tilt/pan hardware, 'tho the LM SES hardware might surprise me, I’m familiar with still film (35mm, 60 x 60) and digital cameras.
One other consideration is battery power. Extra weight and electronics takes extra power, which takes bigger batteries, which takes more payload capacity, which… Self-contained camera, no RF other then R/C receiver, you might be OK.
Perhaps Jim (LM) can advise on the payload capacity for one of the bigger 4WD bots. I’ve designed and built wheeled 'Bots in the past. I’ve CNC’d a Sherline mill and lathe for my shop, so special hardware is not much of a problem (I do, however need a good sheet-metal brake, this weekend?). The electronics, controllers and firmware are easy enough to do; however determining the appropriately sized 'Bot able to negotiate the anticipated terrain is perhaps the most difficult task.
Pick an appropriately sized 'Bot, we’ll get it built and under control!
Just an option for the pan/tilt. Have a look here: servocity.com/html/pan___tilt_systems.html
These should give you plenty of torque, and they look pretty strong. If you need anything stronger, than servos would be a no-go.
Here is one the 2 lighter variations of MART that I building for a Private Individual for yard security on a large estate. 6" wide 8" tall track modules 30" long, 30" wide, 4" of clearance 120 lbs, top speed of 20 mph, 150lb maximum payload (280 lbs for short periods). Tracks also available with 1/2" paddles for extreme traction.
Infinite 360 degree pan/tilt turret, dual barrel 28 round per second paintball attachment, Sony 1/3 CCD High Res color (520 lines) Camera with Auto-focus 12-30mm zoom lens, 2 mile video link.
Controlled by a 6 channel R/C controller.
Video feed on a 6" wireless LCD mounted on the Controller as well as an EMT 12V Portable Command Center with 19" widescreen LCD, Quad video processor, DVR recorder and Flashcard recorder.
This is just one of the variations of the MART platform. We can build them from bulletproof Swat Versions (up to 12 guage shotgun and 9mm rounds) to light weight camera rovers for photographers, personal estate security, etc.
This one is unfinished and still needs a thermal camera, lights and few other things. It’s mid build right now. This is one of the smallest rovers we build, aside from the new 30" aluminum 4X4 truck in the works. For anything smaller, lynxmotion’s rovers are second to none. And Jim just released his new 4WD rovers which look deadly.
I haven’t posted any pictures in awhile cause I’ve been busy so I thought I’d throw a few out.
