Simple three-servo hexapod walker using the Pololu Micro Maestro

This is a simple three-servo hexapod robot using the Pololu Micro Maestro as a controller.  The Micro Maestro allows allows me to sequence gaits and integrate sensor readings for obstacle avoidance.

I have posted complete build instructions and a video that I hope people will take a look at.  Anyone who has decent soldering skills should be able to build this robot in an afternoon or so, and I think that there are a lot of possible variations on the design.  Below I have posted some pictures taken from the build instructions to illustrate the steps in building the robot:

 

Parts used (total cost = $65):

Parts for the hexapod

Servo configuration:

 Servo configuration.

 Servo wiring to Micro Maestro:

Servo wiring to Micro Maestro

Sensor wiring:

Sensor wiring

 Complete electronic assembly:

 Complete electronic assembly

Complete robot assembly:

Complete robot assembly

Walks forward and backward, turns in place, avoids obstacles.

  • Actuators / output devices: 3 generic micro servos
  • CPU: Pololu Micro Maestro Servo Controller
  • Power source: 4.8V 150mAh NiMH pack
  • Programming language: Maestro Scripting Language
  • Sensors / input devices: Sharp GP2Y0D810
  • Target environment: clean flat surfaces

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/robots/show/simple-three-servo-hexapod-walker-using-the-pololu-micro-maestro

Nice and clean job. Are the
Nice and clean job. Are the servos and legs powerful enough to get nice walking even with weight of batteries?

Yes, it is quite capable of
Yes, it is quite capable of lifting itself up, though it is obviously not going to be an all-terrain or outdoor robot. The servos do hum a bit when they are supporting weight.

Nice.
Cool… soon u spider will have a clone. I’m working on it. :slight_smile:

Can’t wait!
Great, I can’t wait to see what you build! Please post pictures!

Very good robot indeed! love

Very good robot indeed! love it, small and simple, easily made with barely any tools.

 

mind if i share the video in another forum?

Sure
Sure, no problem - it is on youtube, so you can link to or embed it anywhere. Can you tell me where you post it so I can follow the comments?

http://lusorobotica.com/It’s

http://lusorobotica.com/

It’s in portuguese.

 

Thanks!
Thanks!

ok
Its up now… https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/15458

I like it! :slight_smile: Probably will
I like it! :slight_smile: Probably will try to build one, but using Picaxe 08M. :slight_smile:

In progress

In progress :slight_smile:

https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/18936

But using 28x2 LV

Simple and wonderful! I like

Simple and wonderful! I like it!!

batteries

how do you charge those batteries?

Help

First thing I want to say is amazing robot I might make this for my science fair in the category of working model. But the only problem is that this is a little small for my taste so what I want to say is can I full size servos with the micro meastro 6 channel. And can you give me any other options to somehow make it better, bigger and also can I make a hexapod with more servos using micro meastro 18 or 24 channel and how could or should I make it.

 

Thanks in advance

**help **

I forgot to ask you something else if I took the micro meastro 6 channel version assembled can I just plug in the servos with the connector instead of soldering and is there a better sensor I could use for this which is easy to assemble and if there is how should I program it I am bad at programming.

 

thanks in advance again