LMR Logo Bot

This is my first attempt on building an 'arty' bot.

I didn't know before I started, that this would be the most time instensive robot I 've ever build. But I've learned a lot of new things like: painting, polymorph etc.

As the name suggested, it should look like the robot in the LMR logo. I am not sure if it looks similar, but ok, this is my first art work, so be patient with me.

Controller:

As usual, an Arduino clone has been used for the electronic brain. To hide most of the electronic stuff, a brain from Polymorph has been created.

Platform:

The robot platform is the Robot Rover for Arduino from Robot Shop, decorated with sheets of Polystyrene. The most difficult part was to color the black tracks into yellow.

Sensors:

• 2 Maxbotix EZ1 ultrasonic sensors for obstacle avoiding. They fits perfectly into the 35mm film rolls I've been using as robot eyes.
• 2 LDRs for ambient light detectors

All sensors has been put together with the Duo LEDs into the film rolls. See my blog post about howto connect 2 ultrasonic sensors.

Actors:

• A LVDSMC from Pololu has been choosen as motor controller for the GM9 1:143 geared motors. Build with FETs it brings the most power out of 4 AA cells for the motors.
• 2 Duo LEDs (red/green)  as distance indicators. No object in sight meens green LEDs are glowing, in a middle distance of 30cm the LEDs glow yellow. Near objects are shown red.
• A BlinkM RGB LED will illuminate the Polymorph brain, to indicate the robots emotions.

Update: 05.03.2010

A POV (persistence of vision) display has been added to the LMR Logo-Bot. Now the robot can write messages of light into the air. Because of the low speed of the robot the messages can only be seen by a bulb exposure taken with my digicam. In the second video you can see the POV display in action.

The POV display is made out of 8 blue LEDs. Because I don't have enough free ports a PCF8574 I2C port expander chip has been used to connect the POV display to the Arduino.

Further work:

• the front servo needs to be move a little bit, to give more place for the POV display.
• I've ordered some RGB LEDs for the brqain illumination
• Hack the GM9 motors to add wheel encoders