[size=2]Hi All,
I’ve always wanted a ‘cool’ robot and when I found the LynxMotion Scout, I thought - “that’s the fellow for me”!
Since then I’ve done a ‘shed load’ of research and asked a number of questions on this forum, all of which have been answered by
scharette.
I can’t thank him enough for his explanations of my (sometimes dim) questions and his advice on my options for the electronics / software and other cool options, over the past few weeks. Cheers, mate!
So, what have I bought?
Well, a Scout kit, obviously!
12 x Hitec 5645MG servos (Ooh, very spendy!)
Metal servo horns for the above.
2 x 6v 2800 mAh NiMH Batteries & a charger
SSC-32U Servo Controller
Bluetooth BLE Bee for the SSC-32U
USB Bluetooth BLE Module for laptop
Plus a load of misc. parts to make the above (hopefully) work together.
Flowbotics Studio (CD).
Can’t wait for it all to arrive!
I’m sure I’ll be asking many, many questions over the next few weeks / months, possibly years, as I get to grips with the bugger!
Cheers,
Ultraweasel.
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Hi Ultraweasel,
We are glad to see you moving forward with your Lynxmotion Scout project! It is an amazing looking kit but we feel it is underutilized due to the complexity of making it move properly (quite a few joints in there!).
We are looking forward to see your progress with this platform! You may also want to make an account on our project-focused website, Let’s Make Robots. You can use it to post about your project and get help from the RobotShop community!
Sincerely,
Hi scharette,
I received my RobotShop order today
It was well packaged and all items ordered present and correct!
Good job!
I tend to agree with you on the ‘underutilised’ comment - Lots of info for the Brat, not so much on the Scout.
But hey, the Scout is such a cool platform, that it needs idiots like me to have a go and see what happens!
Now just waiting for my servos to arrive.
Cheers,
Ultraweasel.
Hi All,
Update on my Scout.
Assembled the kit OK (only a couple of servo alignment issues- my fault for not paying attention!).
Just started to play with it and OH NO! it went a bit lame!
Turns out the Left Hip Y servo has died
Awaiting replacement servo under warranty.
Haven’t used Bluetooth yet, been using USB cable initially - just to try to keep things simple whilst I check out everything else.
The Lynxterm software is a really nice app.
Routing the servo wiring caused a bit of head scratching to start with - 6DoF per leg leads to lots of wires in big bunches as it gets to the SSC-32U !
I do like the quality of the supplied parts! The assembly instructions are also very good.
The SES parts being kinda ‘modular’ is great!
Unfortunately, for me, it has already got me thinking about adding ED-209 style ‘arms’ to it…
Damn, these robots are addictive!
Cheers,
Ultraweasel
Ah! This sounds great! Too bad for the servomotor though.
Until you get it to move a lot, USB usually does a great job for most of the testing / gait development. Just get one of those long, thin/light-weight flexible cables! They are wonderful for this kind of application.
As for the wiring issues, we hear you. You may want to wrap your cables using this. You may also want to use a label maker and print some labels for each RC connector so that you know which motor it refers too. Always helps when you need to unplug and reconnect everything later!
Ah, good ol’ ED Gotta love those arms! Maybe you could get away with a small spring loaded cannon? I’d normally suggest compressed air, but even small canisters would most likely be as (big or bigger!) than the robot… not to mention electronics/mechanics required to make it work!
Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself, though! Robotics is always a lot of fun since you usually get feedback from your work very quickly! OK, at first, some feedback may be of the magic smoke kind… but it is still fun!
Sincerely,
Hi,
First thing I did was to use a Dymo label printer to tag all servo leads to aid identification! (been caught out before!).
As far as the arms go, I was kinda considering using laser LEDs - might look interesting in the dark? (All getting a bit Skynet / Terminator!)
I am also considering incorporating small solenoids into the arms to simulate recoil when they are ‘fired’ …
Luckily, no Magic Smoke - yet!
For the cables, currently I’m using numerous cable ties.
The biggest issue is trying to ‘lose’ the excess wiring at the top of the legs, before connecting to the SSC-32U.
I’m happy with the routing up the legs - got plenty of strain relief / flex around the joints. Just the excess is currently a bit messy.
Anyway, looking forward to getting the little guy up and running - well maybe not running yet…
Cheers,
Ultraweasel
Hi ultraweasel,
Following your thread. I always get excited when someone orders a scout.
Having had a few Hexapods and quadruped as well as scout I do find the scout a very cool looking robot.
I am currently writing code for the scout. Well I say scout it not quite the same axis wise but it is 5dof per leg as I won’t require an axis at the foot but one could be applied easily.
I won’t post details here as this is your thread however I am interest in how you are programming it (since there is not much code for these)
And what electronics setup are you going for.
I’m set up for SSC32 running from a Arduino Pro Mini wired with a PS2.
Hi Innerbreed,
Thanks for reading my thread! It’s good to know there are others out there!
I’m a complete novice with robots! - This Scout project is going to be a big challenge! but we have to stretch ourselves, right?
When I get the little guy up and running, I plan on using the free sequencer to try to get him walking / develop gaits, etc. from my laptop.
I also have Flowbotics Studio but haven’t even looked at it yet.
Will then try to get him unteathered using Bluetooth.
Ultimately want to get him autonomous using an Arduino Mega / BlueDuino
Very ambitious I know!
I currently have an SSC-32U servo controller, via USB.
When I have all that working OK, I will connect my Bluetooth Bee / USB Bluetooth dongle.
In the past I have dabbled with electronics / Arduino / programming. But I am a Mechanical Design Engineer by training so the programming will be the biggest hurdle for me…still, it’ll keep me out of the pub.
Or drive me to it!
Cheers,
Ultraweasel
Same this end. Im not a programmer (as in if someone asks me to write code on the fly i can’t) but i can read code and i can see whats it s doing, and i can piece code together from other examples etc but only to a certain level.
Thats one of the reasons im coding first. get the hard bit out the way then i can fly through the CAD design and 3d printing. The reason iv done it this way is i dont spend any money before hitting the brick wall (programming)
Hi scharette (or anybody else!),
I’m currently using a std. USB cable.
You suggested using a long, thin / light-weight flexible USB cable.
Where can I get one? I’ve searched online, with little success…
Any suggestions for suppliers (esp. UK!) will be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Ultraweasel.