Dogbot Is Alive... Mostly!

Dave L

USA

http://youtu.be/jvSh42fBxoA

I don't know if this will work, but here is a youtube link. This was my first attempt at uploading a video there. The file was done on an Galaxy Tablet, at 122 MB, I figured DJ would prefer it not take up space on his server.

Dogbot has a bit of User operator error, but with a little more training It'll be run much soother. Next phase is to pickup a few more Servos to add a better head, and a left arm. At somepoint the wife (our resident knitter) will make a red sweater for the dog, so DogBot can track her. Given the reliablity issues involved with color tracking though, I'm leaning more toward RFID tracking.

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#1  

Dave that was ultra cool!

I would like a closeup of your arms and hands. And, where did you get them? did you build them? Or, are they were part of a toy. It looks like some use of PVC pipe. I like it!

Mel

#2  

The Body is PVC Pipe. The Arm is Lego parts. The base is 1/16th scale Tiger Tank.

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#3  

I do have to give credit to my Son on putting together the Lego arm, he did it at 2:00 AM. I then hack his Lego parts to the two Servos.

#4  

Just for ease. Very nice great job.

#5  

ThankS, I'll have to look into doing this for future posts.

PRO
Synthiam
#6  

Hey Dave thats a fun bot!!

Are you using the l298 motor controller?

#7  

Thanks DJ. I'm using a Sabertooth 2x5 Controller. The motors pull 3 amps when running full speed.

By the way, is there a way to adjust the speed via a slider control or joystick?

#9  

Sounds like he has a lot of power. Great job!!

PRO
Synthiam
#10  

Dave, press CONFIG in the Sabertooth Movement Panel and change the values to the speed you desire:)

Australia
#11  

Nice work Dave - I wish I had treads like yours - did you build them yourself or get them fom a kit ?

United Kingdom
#12  

@Hazbot

they look like a tiger tank kit chassis .I used to have one a few years back.

#13  

DJ, I got that part worked out changing the values. I was hoping there was a way to change the speed on the fly.

#14  

Steve is correct the base and tracks are from a Recycled R/C Tiger tank.

User-inserted image

#15  

Oops clicked on the wrong Pic.

United Kingdom
#17  

@Dave L

Geez those pics bring back some fun memorys . My son had a sherman tank and we used to fight them in the battle of the lounge .:)

Steve_C.

#18  

Tanks are great for robot drive systems. Looks like your robot is off to a great start. I wonder what speed controller I would need for a 1/6 scale tank for use with the EZ-B? It could carry a laptop and everything else a robot needs.

United Kingdom
#19  

@mcsdaver

You could use one of the larger sabertooth controlers, IE a 2x25 or a 2x60 .DJs just added a great EZ_B control for them.

Steve_C.

#20  

Sounds like the controllers used by the R2Builders group for heavy droids. I need one for my R2 when I get him into 3 leg mode. He weighs a ton even with no batteries. Glad that DJ keeps making EZ-B better all the time.

Australia
#21  

Dave that tank base looks great and super effective. I'm looking at options on a mobile base for our bot that weighs a little under a Kilo (30cm x 30cm), Can I ask where you got it from and how much it cost ?

Cheers

#22  

I don't remember if got it from Amazon or a December sale from Hobby Town. I do remember it was for 130.00. After stripping the tank down and adding a 9.6Vdc Battery, I was able to load the tank upto 10 lbs and it ran fine. It does drain the battery very quickly though.

Australia
#23  

Dave ,

I've ordered one as a base for Bob for $118.00 free shipping from China - Of all the many things I've looked at for robot mobility , I am firmly sold on this direction - even above using a Roomba. Dogbot has been a breakthrough and inspiration for me -

Thank you

#24  

Glad to be of service. Just watch out for the speed, I almost took out the Dog while testing it.

United Kingdom
#25  

@Dave L

So its not just me thats had a near miss then .:)

Aegis nearly smashed my 50" plasma tv .

Hes been banned from the lounge now until he can behave. eyeroll

Australia
#26  

Question Dave, is there a way to create a power switch on the tank motors so that you could isolate the rc and ezb. I was thinking if you could, then you could run the tank when you wanted to through the H-bridge from the ezb and command from your PC etc or flick a switch and drive the tanks as it was made from it's RC controller. What do you think ?

#28  

Looking good! Banned from the lounge :o) Made md chuckle.

#29  

Easy to do with 2 switches. Just flip the switches for RC and then back for EZ-B control. You need switches with 3 contacts. Relays would work, but they use power and a switch doesn't waste any power.

David Mc

Australia
#30  

Switches it is - thanks