CE Project: CE Bot [PART THREE]

[ash]

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Celab.tk is no longer accessible. Please go directly to:

CE Bot (CE Lab Projects)

for the Project Website, thank you.
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Welcome to Part THREE of our Crazy Engineers robotic project, also known as CE R³! For previous discussions, please refer to these links:

Part One -> CE Project: CE Bot

Part Two -> CE Project: CE Bot [PART TWO]

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1) Introduction

CE R3(formerly CE Bot) is a project regarding the design and construction of a modular robotic system that can perform various research missions.

Its first mission is that of a semi-autonomous rover. It will consist of an array of sensors, mainly to detect it's surroundings and collect data for processing purposes. Data will be wirelessly transmitted to a host computer located a distance away. The design of rover will be modular to allow for interchangeable components and ease of future upgrades.

For more information on the CE Bot, please refer to the CE Lab website: CE Bot (CE Lab Projects)

2) Summary of Part One discussions

Formulating objectives;
Discussion opens up for defining mission and roles for a robot. A laptop would be utilized as the pre-processing unit and robot controller. It is proposed that the mission will involve data collection and rescue, amongst others. A host computer will be used in the vicinity to act the main processor of data as well as external control. To allow the robot to cater with vast types of applications, the robot will be designed modularly.

Communications;
Discussion leads to methods for processing data and which wireless technology to use to transmit data. 802.11 is proposed.

Chassis/Locomotion;
Various chassis and locomotive options were discussed, such as tracked and wheeled. Some CAD designs have been uploaded for conceptualization of ideas.

3) Summary of Part Two discussions

Chassis/Locomotion;
More conceptual designs were made on the 6 wheel chassis. With them, we can see any potential problems on component placement and structure integrity. More detailed designs will be needed but with dynamics/physics considerations.

Detailed discussions on the feasibility of the Rocker Bogie design, as well as simulations on the Phun sofware. After much deliberation, we may revert back to the original 6 wheel design due to the complexity of RB.

Glow engines was touched upon, and despite their great power to weight ratio, issues such as fuel capacity and added tanks make them non viable options. DC Motors are still considered, but will still need research on them as power and weight are still and issue.

Steering method still needs to be decided. Servos and Ackermann methods are considered.


Power Supply;
Lithium-Polymer, Sealed Lead Acid and NiMH are considered. Issues with LiPo include its high costs as well as safety concerns if not heeded. But it still has an amazing power density. SLA's are very heavy, but may work well with DC motors on the CE Bot. NiMH is similar to LiPo, but less powerful.

Solar Cells can be used to recharge batteries when the CE Bot is stationary.

Communications;
802.11 wireless testing is on going. Might consider the use of 802.11n to increase efficiency, but existing cards are expensive to procure. Antenna for 802.11g has not be fabricated yet, as possible designs are still being evaluated such as the Spider Omin directional and the Yagi.

Software;
RoboRealm can be used for basic image processing needs. Phun and Microsoft Robotic Studio can be used to simulate the dynamics of the locomotion design. No additional discussions with regards to on board software.

4) Targets for Part Three
I will be using xheavenlyx's chart for reference:

• Main focus on sensors
• Estimation of total power consumption and power distribution design
• Results from wireless experiments
• Extended discussions on the Modular concept (eg connectors)
• Finalizing chassis concept designs (hopefully!)

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Alright CEans, Part Three is where we finally get down and dirty with our designs and implementation. Yes, we still need to discuss other aspects of the Bot (especially the software), but what we've discussed already in the past needs to be developed into something more tangible.

xheavenlyx is in the midst of preparing the sensor report, so discussions on that should be swift once its ready.

Hopefully my wireless testing can be done in a month or two. Ideally it should have already been done, but I'm super swamped with university projects and the national CanSat competition.

Okay, lets get it done! Its time to up the gears, crazy engineers!

[KINETIC_JOULES]

Just dropping in to say Hai-e!

[ash]

*waves* Hows school going, tyler?

I found an ad in my college about a 2nd hand Sony Viao for $120, haha. Its a Pentium II, I think. I was seriously considering to get it for as a possible 2nd prototype for CE Bot, but I am sort of strapped for cash

[docel]

Hi folks!!
Good idea, the Part3.
.........You need to think more on the Sensors, if it is autonomous.
..or is it semi-autonomous, meaning more a remote control thing, without much independent intelligence?? This may not be appropriate and cannot be a Robot, if it is mainly a Remote controlled Vehicle.
Take my Word: everyone neglects the sensors- always- and repents later.
That would be an expensive neglect indeed.........

Sorry Kinetic_joules
Good luck with your studies, but remember- the world looks at what else you can do more than how much you score. Your extra achievements are what will get you much more than just academic scores. it is possible to achieve both at the same time !

[ash]

Welcome back, docel

You are right, Sensors will need to be carefully thought out. Most of the sensors are autonomous, things like telemetry and ambient sensors.

The camera will be manually controlled, though. It mainly acts as the eyes for the operator. However, we can certainly choose to use the video input for image processing purposes like terrain analysis.

[docel]

Hi ash!!
1. Ya!Nice to be back amid the interesting stuff!!! Was caught up with a lot of boring stuff

2. ?Make it 2 cameras, for Stereo imaging. This will give the Robot a lot of intelligence- distance, color, shapes, object det.......
Most of this can be done independent of the mother processor and does not pose undue code complexity.

3. Let me know if you need help with the antenna.

[KINETIC_JOULES]

Sorry Kinetic_joules
Good luck with your studies, but remember- the world looks at what else you can do more than how much you score. Your extra achievements are what will get you much more than just academic scores. it is possible to achieve both at the same time !

Well. . . I'm almost done with high school, and I can't afford to flunk out now. . .

[docel]

Yes, ash!!
The terrain mapping will add to the versatility of the Robot.
Wonder: what happened to the GLX effort?

Sure Kinetic_ !!!
Get some great grades & Good Luck to you !!
Drop in when you can take a break

[gohm]

another vote for terrain mapping

what about using gps to absorb the function of several other individual basic sensors?

[docel]

GPS is not necessary , if you have Video Assisted Remote control.
....and it cannot really replace any navigational sensors.............