Robotics Development Platform Presented by:

Michael CarrChristina Welk

Advisors:Dr. K. Pashin Nikaaien Course:and Professor Gordon Jenkins Senior Design Project II

Last Term, We Set Out to Build a Robot...

•Modular Design•300 Pound Carrying Capacity•At Least 30 Minute Battery Life•5-25 mph Speed Range•Climbs Stairs•Fits in Buildings and Cars

•Onboard Mini ATX Motherboard•Local Data Acquisition•Real Time Reaction to Sensor Input•Speed Controller Interface•Wireless Connection to Laptop•Joystick Input

Capabilities• Text based user interface using curses

– Real time feedback– Menu options– User input

• Ad-hoc 802.11b wireless communication• Joystick control• Data logging capabilities• Serial communication with the RoboteQ

speed controller

Wireless Network

Safety Features

• Joystick high-stick check• Two hardware kill switches• Hardware speed limiter• Software speed limiter• Speed controller watchdog• Network watchdog

Schedule

Time Chart

Budget

With the completion of the design phase came the following

question:

How exactly does one go about building a 400 pound robot

anyway?

January 19th

Step 1: Buying the Parts

Step 2: Welding the Side Panels

1/19 - 1/30: 41 hours

Step 3: Welding the Top Panel

1/30 - 2/6: 22 hours

Step 4: Finishing the Chassis

2/6 - 2/15: 38 hours

Step 5: Wiring and Drive Train

2/15 - 2/19: 20 hours

Step 6: Axles and Suspension

2/19 - 2/27: 41 hours

Step 7: Enclosures

2/27 - 3/3: 10 hours

Step 8: Tracks

3/3 - 3/19: 28 hours

Step 9: Tensioners

3/4 - 3/15: 21 hours

Step 10: Drive Wheels

3/5 - 3/6: 6 hours

Step 11: Heat Exchanger

3/20 - 3/22: 18 hours

Step 12: Put it All Together and See What Breaks

3/24 - 3/26: 36 hours

Testing Disaster: That was a $632.58 Puff of Magic Smoke

Step 13: Fix and Repeat

3/27 - 4/2: 20 hours

Demonstration Time:

For your own safety, please keep your arms and legs clear of the

vehicle until this ride comes to a full and complete stop.

Questions?