Hi all, I have been mostly a silent observer (<a href="/letsmakerobots/node/3817">https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/3817</a> is the exception). Anyways, a few days ago after talking to a CIA tech genius about robotics and the field of electronics I was inspired to build something again. I dont want it to be a small little bot that once the novelty wares off is imediatly sent to a shelf. I want it to be something slightly usefull, fun, and constantly runing. I have two cats and it would be excellent if this robot was like another pet.<br /><br /> As I was searching this site a while ago I happened upon a contest to build a piggy bank robot seen here <a href="/letsmakerobots/node/2850">https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/2850</a>. Sure the timeframe for this contest is over but after talking to the afore mentioned CIA techy, I thought of this contest (not sure why) and so my goal is to build a robot that achieves the following<br /><br /> 1. Is an effective piggy bank (holds coins which can be removed at a later time)<br /> 2. Is able to measure the amount of coins it holds (not necessarily the value possibly just weight)<br /> 3. Moves around with the added weight of many coins<br /> 4. Fully autonomous<br /> 5. Has the ability to follow moving objects such as people and cats like a "pet" <br /> 6. Has a personality<br /><br /> I have had several ideas for each of these requirements. For number one I will most likely create a chassis with a large box on top. I would like to build the chassis myself as I have never done so and I have several pains of acrylic from a project several years ago. It would also be important to have all of the electronics self contained so that the coins do not interfere with electronics and vice versa.<br /><br /> To the second requirement I though of using a FSR or force sensing resister under a pane of acrylic. Though it might not be able to detect one or two coins it would be able to detect larger numbers of coins.<br /><br /> To the third requirement after doing research on torque and RPM and the requirements of these needed to move a robot of a given weight I think i might use two Banebots planetary gear motors rated at 640 RPM and 143 ounce inches of torque. This would prevent me from having to create a gearing system.<br /><br /> The autonomy is the easy part as i have created a fully autonomous bot before (not posted here because I did not feel like documenting it (very lazy I know!). I would probably use sonar as the main obstacle avoidance mechanism.<br /><br /> This next part sounds hard. First there is the issue of tracking objects for which I will probably use a system similar to OddBot's <a href="/letsmakerobots/node/4428">https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/4428</a>. The tricky part is making this follow a pair of walking legs. if it is following a solid object, I do not believe it would be that hard to create a polar coordinate system for the bot to find the angle and distance to the object, but again....the issue comes when the object is a pair of legs. I might need to wear REALY big boots...<br /><br /> This last one is a bit tricky as well. I think i might do it with a robot "head" and backlit LED eyes.<br /><br /> Well that was a lot for one day, I need to get some sleep. If anyone thinks they have an Idea of how to do something for this project just post it below! advice is VERY welcome!
