Tracked hex bot

Lynxmotion Servo Erector Set
1

Hi all,

I am a long time robot hobbyist and have been on an assortment of teams and competed in various competitions, I have designed a multitude of robots, but have only built a handful. Ever since I was in the 7th grade I have been interested in robotics, and have learned a lot of fundamentals in engineering, electrical, 3D modeling, mechanical, programming and more. I have found that some competitions are not robot based but people based like FIRST where you build and program a very expensive, massive, and fairly low tech RC vehicle. While others use wimpy microcontrollers that limit their robot to the point of insanity. I think that it is time to do something more robust.

This is why I am going to build a tracked hex bot (that sometime down that rode can hold the weight of a human and some luggage. Any ideas on servo types for that kind of thing? And controllers?) Everyone reading this forum has probably seen, heard of, has ridden, or owns a segway. Well I have always thought that it would be cool to build a legged segway that is all terrain.

Let me tell you how I have it in my head. The body will be large enough for 1.5 people and will have two pieces that move separately. The bottom chassis is for electronics, batteries, and to attach the legs while the top level is connected to the bottom via a servo set up so that even when the base is attacking a set of stairs or a slope you stay flat and level.

The legs are going to mimic that of the rugged 3DOF design, but where the stub is normally there will be a track. This allows for omni directional navigation, use of either the track or legs as transportation or a combination of both for a truly all terrain robot. It would be able to climb stairs more than one way, leap gaps, navigate uneven surfaces, and so much more. I will post pictures as soon as I can.

The brains will be that of charmed labs Qwerk board which allows for control, programming, and more to be done over a network or the internet. It also allows for wireless communication between robots. All while running a full Linux OS. It supports video, audio, lcds, and the entire array of standard microcontroller features. And can easily allow for the addition of phidgets.

I will have an array of sensors, but to name a few, I intend on using sonar, IR, touch, pressure, vision (omni), audio, light, temperature, IMU (gyro and accelerometer combined), Bluetooth, GPS, LRF, and grippers.

I think I will be using some HSR-8498HB, from the robonova-1, but I am not sure what would be appropriate. I figure I could use HS-645MG since they are what is suggested in the kit, but I will be changing them out for more hefty servos in the future.

I am thinking about using a renewable source of energy as my main power supply and using larger capacitors to store the energy like a battery. (Can’t say what type of renewable energy source cause it is in the middle of being patented.) So I really don’t need to worry about having a huge 20 pound or more battery on my robot, but later down the road I might like some help in building a power diagram and doing all the math to see how much juice I really need.

This robot is being built for bothe the RoboGames competition and RoboCup and will be entered in multiple events in each competition. After the competitions I am looking to modify it to hold the weight of a human and use it as personal transportation. I have calculated that this robot will cost between $8,000 and $10,000. I have started fundraising with my team, but I think that we will need to strategize a little differently that standard fundraising, because we plan on building a humanoid as well and staying in California for a week for competition. So if you have any suggestions, advice, or know someone that would be willing to mentor, sponsor, donate, or assist feel free to email me.

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Here’s your first tip. Whatever you calculated for your costs to build a custom made robot this size, double it. If you were thinking $10,000, I guarantee it will be closer to $20,000. It is easy to underestimate the little things and there are always additional costs and unknowns when taking on a custom project like this. Trust me.

It sounds like a pretty cool idea. You will have to keep us posted. Big projects are always fun to watch.

3

Fixed. :wink:

4

:laughing: yep… sadly, like all projects from the covernment they say it will cost us 15 millions, end up at 32 million, and its not done yet… :open_mouth:

5

I am glad you pointed that out, but in all reality it should only cost between $6,000 and $7,000. I know that there will be mistakes, things that wont’t fit, a briliant idea that costs an extra X amount and so on so that is why i said $10,000.

Between this bot, our humanoid, and flights, food, enterence fees, and so on i fugure this year will cost about $40,000-$50,000 for our team. The closest i have come to something like this in the past is raising $15,000! I don’t know much about fundraising and would like to learn how to raise an amount like this. So if anyone can help in this area it would be much apriciated!

Also the size is a little exagurated, It will be based around the AH3-R design. But it is very possible that our team might enlarge after the 2008 competitions for the transportation of humans and luggage.

6

that’s a lot of money, what did you do to colect the 15,000$ the last time? maybe (because I dont think you will get 50,000$ by selling chocolates… :laughing: ) maybe organizing an event (maybe sportif, who knows) and trying to get some people who will sponsor you for some publicity, I don’t know how much this could bring you, but its jsut an idea… not wonderfull :laughing:

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We sold quiznos cards, did a lot of cold calling, held a few lego events for middle school, and a lot of other things but none of it made very much. It added up though after 10 months.

I just really don’t want to have to go throught that again…and selling chocolates isn’t even an option in my mind.

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yeah, it must be anoying and frustarating.

9

If you are looking for $50,000, you need to sit down and learn a bit about business. If fund raising is your preffered venture, unless you want to hold hundreds of bingos, you need to think bigger. You won’t raise that much yourself. Not even with your team and family helping. If you were to organize a concert or a few large dinner theaters, you can start raising real money. But you can’t organize a 10,000 person outdoor concert unless you do it for a living. Plus you need to hire lighting tech, sound tech, equipment tech, marketing managers, advertising people, the band, food and beverage catering, security, grounds and property rentals, etc. So you may make $20,000 profit on a large concert, but it will cost you $200,000 to host it.

Now that is really big but that is where the money is. You know what they say, it takes money to make money. And that is the truth.

Angel Investors are an option but highly unlikely. They usually prefer to invest a minimum of $500,000 and want to see a rock solid business plan with high potential for high return.

Grants are an excellent source, if you can find and get them. Apply for any that you qualify for.

Sponsorship is another great way to cut costs. Sponsorship from a supplier is even better because it means free product. Usually.

Freebies should not be overlooked either. Not everyone will want to give you something for nothing. In fact most won’t. But some will. If you present yourself accordingly to 100 companies, you might get 2 that are interested. This process costs you the most in time. Which isn’t always plentiful. But a few full days of emailing suppliers, can return excellent results. And remember the most companies don’t give freebies for nothing. They are expecting something back. Namely your business. If you aren’t planning to make headlines or sell your robot in large numbers, most suppliers won’t be interest in helping you. And there is also the interest factor. Some smaller company owns just simply have to find your idea interesting. Some will go, blah…boring. Others might say, that sounds really interesting.

Then there is you own money. Invest in yourself with a personal loan, business loan, or family. This is a risky one you want to use as a last resort. You can seriously jeopardize your future investing everything you have into a dream.

But you will also never get anywhere without taking risks. Oh and the risks you will take. :slight_smile: Sooner or later, you will have to make a choice that could make or break you. That moment is just waiting for you.

I’m actually very interested in your idea. No offense, but I am curious as to your age, experience, and seriousness of your intentions. I may be interested in investing in your idea. Send me an email at [email protected] .

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I would say that is some fundraising going on right there! :smiley:

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evolution,

Sounds to me like you know what your talking about when it comes to fundraising. I only know how to do things on a small scale when it comes to that sort of thing, but i am very interested in learning if you are willing to teach me.

Also the concert sounds like a great idea, but we have absolutly zero money right now and i doubt we will be getting $200,000 anytime soon. Any solutions?

I am looking into getting a grant, and sponsorships, and donations are what i am banking on.

I looked at your site, it’s pretty nice. Hope you got my email.

12

Nick forwarded the message to me after he got it.

Thanks for the info, I’ll email you.