Butler Bot

2/13/2012

So today I started drawing up plans for a very simplistic "butler" type robot. It would have a base with 4 continuous rotation servos, and an omni wheel attached to each, making it very mobile. On the base would be a wooden support with a tray on top for putting food and stuff. It would be controlled via IR, and I could possibly add some sensors later. Let's say you're in the kitchen preparing drinks, you could put them on the tray when you're done and then use the remote to guide it to the table and let the happy drinkees unload it. It was inspired partially by Fritsl's Partybot, which you can find here: https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/23453

Anyways, I was worried that the tall support and wooden tray would be  too much for some cheap continuous rotation servos, and I didn't have parts to make a base. However, I do have access to all my dad's scrap wood. So I decided to make some use out of my MAEP (go check it out if you haven't: https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/30979). I've started working on the butler tray, I've found the perfect pieces to use. I'm pretty anxious to get working on it right now, so I'm gonna leave. Keep an eye out though, I'll have more updates coming soon (and maybe some pictures!).

UPDATE 2/23/2012:

Now with video! I don't have too much to say, just watch the vid ;)

UPDATE 2/24/2012

I've made a second version of the chassis with a nice fat wooden base that will prevent it from tipping so much. I need to purchase some casters for front and back, and then the chassis will be complete. I'm probably gonna snag a free Arduino clone from the kind owner over of browndoggadgets.com, and middle school science teacher, who plans to use MAEP to teach his students. If I get one I'll also post a review of it on LMR. Anyways, I'll use that as the brains of the final project, and I plan to wire up my Parallax Board of Education for testing purposes at the moment. 

As well as IR remote control, I also plan to have this robot have a mode for parties and gatherings, were it will drive around randomly carrying a drink/snacks for people to take, with a microswitch below a pitcher of water say, so when someone lifts it to pour themselves some it will stop. 

Enjoy the pictures of the chassis, I'll probaby have more news soon (I'm on vacation, so I have a lot of time to work).