Asked

JD Robot Rolling

I am curious if it is possible to modify the JD robot to enable it to roll instead of walking, similar to the functionality of the Roli Rover.



Related Hardware

JD humanoid robot kit - WiFi-enabled, 16 DOF with metal-gear servos; easy, fun, educational, available from the EZ-Robot online store.

Wi-Fi / USB
Servos 24
Camera
Audio
UART 3
I2C
ADC 8
Digital 24

Related Robot Skills
Servo Recorder by Synthiam
Record and replay named servo movements with adjustable speed/direction (-5 to +5), multiple recordings, ControlCommand triggers and status var
Control two continuous servos for bidirectional robot movement with speed sliders, configurable ports/stop values, testing and brake/coast options.
Control Roomba/Create via ARC: drive, stream sensors, read encoders, configure COM/HW UART, and send pose to NMS for mapping/navigation.

ARC Pro

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Author Avatar
PRO
Canada
#1  

Yes, it is possible to modify the JD Humanoid robot to roll instead of walking, similar to the Roli Rover. Here are the steps and considerations for making this modification:

1. Hardware Modifications:

  • Continuous Rotation Servos: Replace the standard servos in JD's legs with continuous rotation servos. These servos will allow the wheels to rotate continuously, enabling rolling movement.
  • Wheels: Attach wheels to the continuous rotation servos. Ensure the wheels are appropriately sized and balanced for the JD Humanoid's weight and structure.
  • Mounting: Securely mount the continuous rotation servos and wheels to JD's legs. You may need custom brackets or mounts to ensure a stable and secure fit.

2. Software Configuration in ARC:

  • Continuous servo Movement Panel:

    1. Add the Continuous servo Movement Panel Skill:
      • Go to Project -> Add Skill -> Movement Panels -> Continuous servo Movement Panel.
    2. Configure the Continuous servo Movement Panel:
      • Open the settings of the Continuous servo Movement Panel.
      • Select the digital ports to which the continuous rotation servos are connected.
      • Set the forward, reverse, and stop values for the servos.
      • Adjust the speed sliders to control the speed of the servos.
  • Servo Recorder:

    • You can use the servo Recorder to record and playback specific servo movements if needed. This can be useful for creating custom rolling animations or sequences.
  • iRobot Roomba Movement Panel:

    • If you are using the iRobot Roomba Movement Panel for navigation, ensure it is configured correctly to work with the new rolling mechanism. This may involve adjusting the movement commands to suit the continuous rotation servos.

3. Control and Testing:

  • Testing Movement:
    • Test the rolling movement using the Continuous servo Movement Panel. Adjust the speed and direction to ensure smooth and controlled rolling.
  • Fine-Tuning:
    • Fine-tune the servo positions and speeds to achieve the desired rolling behavior. You may need to experiment with different settings to get the best performance.

Example Configuration for Continuous servo Movement Panel:

  1. Left servo Port:

    • Port: D0 (example)
    • Forward Value: 180
    • Reverse Value: 1
    • Stop Value: 90
  2. Right servo Port:

    • Port: D1 (example)
    • Forward Value: 1
    • Reverse Value: 180
    • Stop Value: 90

Example Code for Controlling Rolling Movement:

// Move forward
Movement.forward(100); // Speed 100

// Move backward
Movement.reverse(100); // Speed 100

// Turn left
Movement.left(100); // Speed 100

// Turn right
Movement.right(100); // Speed 100

// Stop
Movement.stop();

Additional Considerations:

  • Balance and Stability: Ensure the robot remains balanced and stable during rolling. You may need to adjust the center of gravity or add additional support.
  • Power Supply: Ensure the power supply is sufficient to handle the continuous rotation servos and any additional load.

By following these steps and making the necessary hardware and software modifications, you can transform your JD Humanoid robot into a rolling robot similar to the Roli Rover.


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Author Avatar
PRO
Germany
#3  

Great, The JD with wheels could be what i am looking for. Normally I wanted an ez-robot which moves inside/outside. The roli rover was perfect but  it is not available in Europe till September 5th. Originally,the due date was July 24th but it has been delayed .So it is not sure I can get it in September.

Author Avatar
PRO
Belgium
#4  

i have one that i'm not using . its hardly used . if you interested you can drop me a mail .