
Jaygreig
I want to start a project with my 6yo daughter to nurture her interest in robotics.
Currently have a fairly large RC collection of ground, air, and water based units, I have plenty of unused Arduino boards megas and unos...I have a power wheel chair sitting, two sabertooths one a 2x25 and one a 2x32...2 150lb 10" stroke and 2 150lb 6" stroke linear actuators...various metals in aluminum and weld steel, a TIG and a fluxcore welder...plenty of multi channel transmitters, etc etc...with my daughter's prodding, I want to use some of the "junk" (her words, not mine) in my workshop to build a robot with her. I have enough base parts to build something I'm sure she will enjoy, the question is, what to build?
My request: ideas for a roving unit with RC override, single pinch style gripper or vacuum conforming 4 dof arm, either a rather large bot, or maybe something on the small side for her to take to school. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Second, down from there is they want one they can relate to as a friend, so either a humanoid or at least something with a face and hands.
Beyond that... Will you adopt me? Your toy collection and workshop sound amazing.
Alan (who is much too old to be adopted....).
That said now, I want to thank you for the suggestions...while she does love those types of "kid friendly" robots, she really wants more of a utility type bot that can "do stuff". She told me she wants something that can carry things and can move on its own. Knowing her, I don't think ascetics are as important to her as is the function and speed of the bot.
I am leaning toward using the power chair for her. I had originally got it to build a yard bot to fit various attachments to. It has sat long enough that I don't mind it finally getting use for my daughter's benefit. I have told her that we have the stuff to RC it quickly and that seemed to peak her interest. I'm not sure that I will use the frame of the chair, maybe just strip it down for the goodies. Thoughts?
The 2x25 sabertooth would be the right controller for that, and you can start with R/C control and quickly integrate to an EZ-B (or other controller, but I assume since you are posting here you are thinking about EZ-B, and it is a great choice, particularly if she wants to be able to program the robot to do things herself).
Alan
www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum/posts.aspx?threadId=4859
Do you enjoy making stuff like artworks, recycle stuff getting the hands dirty ?
following Alan's tip, BB8 Disney Star Wars, first female Jedi warrior ...
a hand made robot BB8 is unique...
my suggestion follow this project:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Life-Size-Phone-Controlled-BB8-Droid/
There is a lot of art work, recycled stuff, old newspapers, paper marche, painting a lot of cool stuff (mess) for creative girls.
Then you have also the electronics side, where you can reuse some components, add an EZB for extra control and sounds.
I have 3 kids, two girls i needed a spring break project to keep everyone (mom's too) busy, i don't like the artwork stuff, so there will be two teams, the artwork team (mom) and the engineering team (dad).
There are some challenges in the engineering side, e.g. creating the right structure and choosing the right components to fit it's not a simple task,
is doable...
Plan B: if does not work you can buy the BB8 toy and you can argue you used the shrink machine
Now I'm curious where to get some smaller 12v gear motors at a good price...can't wait to tell my wife I'm going to spend money on this project with everything we already have in house lol.
Alan