I just saw a video I think by Venta with the A-Rod ant looking Hexapod and I am VERY intrested in getting into robotics but didnt know where to begin, but I think i may have found my niche lol. So Im liking the Hexapod phoenix and just had some questions about how most of the robotics and how it works. I took a look at the forum and got some insight. And I want to get more feedback before I spend money on any of the kits or parts for what I want to do. I have some programming experience (C#) and am currently learning visualbasic and java thru my college courses.
If you want to learn more about servos you can start with this project for $128 and really learn a lot about working with servos and the SSC32. You can then re-use the SSC32 in your final Phoenix project. otherrobots.com/Robots/RoboticClawStarterKit/tabid/62/Default.aspx
very nice! since im still fairly new to robotics I notice that the servos play a big part (as well as the programming) as far as how the robot moves. I was wondering that if i were to use upgraded servos that would fit on a phoenix could I get an even more natural look and feel? and if poosible jumping capabilities? Would this be more something from a programming aspect or depend on the capabilities of the servos? or both?
More powerful servos can get you longer run times without the motors getting too hot. They are also more expensive (18 servos are required for a Phoenix). Small or large servos will both give you a very realistic motion.
No hopping because of the weight of the frame, battery, and servos.
You can operate it untethered using a bluetooth modem or via Bot Board II and PS2 game controller.
I like programming so I run it via PC. Others are into electronics and yet others are into animatronics. Lots of examples exist in all areas so you can focus on what interests you the most.
Since you have experience with C# and visual basic, using Mbasic will be an easy learning curve. I would definitely go with one of the kits online since there are plenty of tutorials available online to help you get off the ground and into hobby robotics.
There are also books available, and I always recommend the “What’s a microcontroller” book from Parallax that comes with a Basic Stamp 2 microcontroller, servo and a hand full of electronic components for experiments. This is the best starting place for total noobs since it teaches interfacing electronics with the microcontroller and many important basics.
It’s a great starting point and will definitely get you on the right path and keep you from getting discouraged when things get more complicated.
I started by using this book and it was the wisest thing I ever did.
Ok i think il start with that. I’m gonna order the basic phoenix combo kit and play with it. I know I have alot of ideas but I would love to see a pheonix robot with quick movement and maybe some hopping capabilities. So im guessing its not possible with the servos it comes with? Or would that be a custom setup that hasn’t even come out yet?
Might be some interesting calculations. The foot would have to move faster then 32.2 F/sec^2 in order to leave the ground, it that it? I need to dig up one of my old physics books. One would have to figure out how fast the servo could move, then calculate the speed at the end of the lever arm (leg). That could get a little hairy!
That is what im aiming for. i guess i gotta figured that i would need to learn a lil bout physics inorder to understand all this. but this is just a goal i had set. i kno i got alot a reading to do.
I really think the bigger issue here will be the abuse of the servo gear train and the fact you can’t alter the relationship between position error and torque applied by the motor inside the servo.
There is a saying about flying airplanes where flying is easy and landing is the hard part that I think will apply equally to making a hex jump… leaping is a lot easier than landing (and walking away afterwards).
Hitec makes a gizmo used in r/c off-road trucks to protect steering servos from the shock of striking… something. I don’t remember the exact name though I’ve found them on tower hobbies website before. I’ll go look again later if I have a few minutes. It is basically a spring loaded output horn and if you could figure out how to attach a leg to it rather than a pushrod it might give you some protection against landing off center where one or two legs hit first rather than all six at the same time.
Oh ok. well im curoius now…if i were to buy the phoenix kit with no servos, what servos would be compatible with the kit that would be considered an “upgrade” for faster or more fluid movement? or are the ones it comes with the best?
If I was going to make something jump, I’d work out a spring that could be wound down (compressed) and then held on a latch that could be released at will. I have no idea (yet!) how to combine this with a working 3DOF leg.
Running these at 7.4v these say they can do .14seconds for 60 degrees where as the 645mg run at .2 seconds for 60 degrees. They also have lots of power. Minor detail is the cost at about 3 times the price of the 645s. Also they might be a bit loud!
