inexpensive wheeled base for otherwise humanoid bot?

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Joe Strout's Avatar (by Gravatar)Joe Strout posted on
August 4, 2007, 11:25 pm
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In this month's Servo, in the "Menagerie" section, there is a picture of
a cool-looking robot that's humanoid from the waist up, but on a
three-wheel base.  It's inspired me; I'm thinking that something like
that would be great for working the crowd at robot events, especially
ones held in public places (malls etc.), where it could easily entice
passers-by to stop in and see what's going on.

I've also long wanted to make an R2-D2-style robot, and have even
gathered up some pretty powerful motors, but I'm totally stymied at
building a chassis and mounting the motors to it, and wheels to the
motors.  I'm a software engineer; this mechanical stuff is hard for me,
and the base seems to be the hardest part.

All this has me thinking: is there something I could cannibalize to make
the base of such a robot?  The one pictured in Servo almost looks like
it might be such a stock item (or if it's custom built, it's very well
done!).  I've poked around, and looked a bit at motorized wheel chairs
and golf caddies, but neither seems quite right.  Is there something
else I should consider?

Thanks,
- Joe

--
"Polywell" fusion -- an approach to nuclear fusion that might actually work.
Learn more and discuss via:  <http://www.strout.net/info/science/polywell/>

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JGCASEY's Avatar (by Gravatar)JGCASEY posted on
August 5, 2007, 1:01 am
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Re: inexpensive wheeled base for otherwise humanoid bot?


If you can find an affordable motorized wheel chair I would go for
that
for the simple reason it already has the motor control circuits that
can
be the hard part for someone with limited electronics skills to put
together.

--
jc




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RMDumse's Avatar (by Gravatar)RMDumse posted on
August 5, 2007, 2:47 pm
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Re: inexpensive wheeled base for otherwise humanoid bot?


I bought a used wheel chair from eBay. About $200. But then I found it
needed replacement batteries, and there's about $250. Ugh.

But they're still quite a deal. I think SS must buy you one new for
free, because the market for used ones is very depressed. Why buy a
used one, when you can get a new one "just for qualifying".

I haven't gotten very far in conversion, but they do make an
interesting base. Potential range is ~25 miles. Very stable. Quiet
operation. Chargers built in to most models. And of course, most
public buildings are already modified to accomodate them access.

Randy
www.newmicros.com


werty's Avatar (by Gravatar)werty posted on
August 6, 2007, 10:53 am
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Re: inexpensive wheeled base for otherwise humanoid bot?


 We must NOT make robots that mimic

 human movement . unproductive .


  we . instead, use their best abilities .

Robots need 220vac extension cords

 to be productive . forget the batteries .

 The future is competition , if your

 robot can't compete , your reputation

 is lost , along with your employment .

  By 2020 , there will be no cars , nor trucks

on the roads .  Electric trains will do ALL

 transport .



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Joe Strout's Avatar (by Gravatar)Joe Strout posted on
August 6, 2007, 11:30 am
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Re: inexpensive wheeled base for otherwise humanoid bot?



The electronics I can handle.  It's the mechanics that are killing me.

Thanks,
- Joe

--
"Polywell" fusion -- an approach to nuclear fusion that might actually work.
Learn more and discuss via:  <http://www.strout.net/info/science/polywell/>

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doc's Avatar (by Gravatar)doc posted on
August 6, 2007, 11:24 pm
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Re: inexpensive wheeled base for otherwise humanoid bot?


...


Ah. That should just make things more interesting! :-)oo

I've been working on HEADS (animatronic - sort of) and find
the artistic part the most difficult/interesting.

I started with my own sculpture but ran into so many problems that
I decided, at least for now, to use a hairdressers mannequin instead.

In the meantime I learned a lot about moldmaking, facial expressions
and sculpture.

A bit more on my web site under builders log.

DOC


Have robots. Will travel.  http://www.robot-one.ca




Joe Strout's Avatar (by Gravatar)Joe Strout posted on
August 7, 2007, 10:28 am
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Making a head/faceplate (was Re: inexpensive wheeled base)



I looked at your log (http://www.robot-one.ca ) -- the MyDummy project is
very cool.

And you've brought up another thing I've been thinking about too: what
to use for a head?  I know I don't want to sculpt one, but then, I'm not
going for humanlike -- only humanoid.  Ideal would be something like a
Motocross helmet with a dark visor, so I can put lights behind it for
the eyes.  But helmets are heavy (and tend to be on the expensive side,
too), so I'm considering other approaches.

You can get styrofoam wig stands that have a nice shape: clearly not
trying to look realistic, but still clearly humanoid.  Something like
this: <http://jojo-estore.com/images/styrofoam/faceless.jpg>

...but I'm not sure exactly how I'd go about turning this into a robot
head.  I really need something hollow, because I plan to stuff it with
servos and other electronics.  But maybe I could use this head as a form
for a mold, or drape thermo plastic over it, or some such?  Has anyone
successfully made a robot head or faceplate from something like this?

Thanks,
- Joe

--
"Polywell" fusion -- an approach to nuclear fusion that might actually work.
Learn more and discuss via:  <http://www.strout.net/info/science/polywell/>

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