RoverX
@ January 23, 2011
Shall drive at least 500m outdoors
Cost to build:
$60
Time to build:
20 hours
Weight:
600 grams
- Actuators / output devices: 2 servos, 2 geared motors
- Control method: autonomous
- CPU: Picaxe 28X-1
- Power source: 11.1 V/2200 mAh Li-Po
- Programming language: Basic
- Sensors / input devices: SRF05, hall sensor
- Target environment: outdoor
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| RoverX_circuit_diagram.JPG | 393.35 KB |
| RoverX_test_program.bas | 1.46 KB |
This is actually an experiment. It shall proof that even a very simple designed rover with a simple micro controller, program and sensors is able to drive at least 500m outdoors without getting stuck or destroyed. Maybe I'll make a poll and everybody can guess how far the rover will travel.
Sor far the rover has only two sensors --- a SRF05 and the rear wheel, a steel ball. On the steel ball axle is a magnetic disc mounted and the roation of the steel ball is monitored by a hall sensor.
TBC
2011.01.24
Added circuit diagram and first test code.
@ Mon, 2011-01-24 21:11
Good stuff MarkusB
And an interesting test, but a bit wide open... What "kind" of terrain? 500 M on a parking lot would not be a big deal. 500 M in a dense tropical rainforest would be very different. I assume from your previous posts, this is moon related. So, is your terrain a simulated lunar landscape? My wife used to live out in the Malpais of New Mexico, which is very lunar like
Parts of it were used in the film Capricorn One
It is very treacherous, trust me, there are pieces of my truck left out there.....
@ Tue, 2011-01-25 01:24
Yeah.I have a similar place
Yeah.
I have a similar place here in Shanghai, a huge talus. If I am next time there I'll make a picture and post it here.
@ Mon, 2011-01-24 10:45
I am curious.
Will you be using the disc connected to the ball to report distance traveled? If so, won't you be missing out on information when the robot swivels vs traveling in a straight line?
@ Mon, 2011-01-24 11:40
Good question. It could be
Good question. It could be easily determinated if the rover swivels, so I could re-write the program to count only the traveled distance if both motors turn forward. I have not finally decided if the rover should travel a minimum distance of 500m from point A to B or only 500m, taking also all evasive maneuver into account.
@ Mon, 2011-01-24 11:46
If the robot turns by
If the robot turns by pivioting on the spot then no distance is traveled. By ignoring any readings you get while turning your measurements will remain acurate.
@ Mon, 2011-01-24 12:26
Yes, right. In my current
Yes, right. In my current program set-up the rover goes a few cm backward before pivioting on the spot, but this could be easily changed.
@ Mon, 2011-01-24 05:01
i like your wood work
cause you live in china,have you try a kind of 5052 aluminum alloy board?it is shinning & never oxidation.
@ Mon, 2011-01-24 05:56
Not tried till now but will
Not tried till now but will search for it.
I used the plywood, because it's cheap, light and easy to cut and glue.
@ Sun, 2011-01-23 10:14
Magnetic rocks in the form
Magnetic rocks in the form of sand and bits of rust.... They are a b#^ch to clean... I should lnow
@ Sun, 2011-01-23 11:11
Really not an issue for the
Really not an issue for the short distance it will travel. And in general easy to solve by covering it.