I was working on a generic transforming robot but I used styrofoam and few other design flaws so it got scrapped. Mostly because @Technopro made a cool post about some R2 D2s and it inspired me. I just bought a small garbage can that's pretty much R2 shaped so I'm going to use some of the cool info from those vids and make my own little R2ish bot. The can is about 18 inches high.
First I'm going to cut a door panel into it. Simple dremel cut and add hinges. I'm going to make 2 cardboard circles to put into 3 sections. I only have 1 US ping sensor so I'm still deciding if I should put it in the head or chest.
I want to make the legs and get it mobile first. I've had a tendency to rush my projects but they were always intended to be temporary. I'll be keeping E2 so I'm going to take the time and do it "right". So expect questions.
I also have an old Droid that I almost disassembled for parts. Super extra special thanks to @Techguru for reminding me that it was still a functional device. I was in this super research and study mode and have been ripping apart all kinds of things and harvesting them for parts to experiment with. So I was going to rip it apart for the sensors and screen. The truth is I probably would have ruined it. He also hooked me up with 2 docks and some mounting goodies.
I'm going to rip off the movies and make it into a forearm control pad type thing. I'm a big believer of a few simple concepts. "Today's science fiction is tomorrows future." "Good artists borrow, great artists steal." "If you can't bedazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BS." The last one is more for fun
I also want to take a cue from @jstarnes1 and heavily document it. I love how he let's you into his mind and explains what he does like he was teaching a class or something. So, while I'm not as knowledgeable as him, I hope to at least let you into my mind. Maybe you can stop me from some fatal mistakes the way Alan did.
I'll keep you posted. Thanks for being awesome.
Other robots from Synthiam community
Cardboardhacker's Creeper Project
Tachyon's My Next Project
FYI: I have the(or some, give or take) measurements of the actual r2d2. Body: 34" Head/dome: 9" high, 18" diameter Legs: need help on this one Feet: same here
Be sure to post pictures of your bot! I have a little surprise up my sleeve so stay tuned!
@Technopro - Thanks. My little garbage can is 18" to the top of the dome. Head movement is on the list but it's last because for me it seems like its the most complicated. I believe it's @Lumpy who has the life size R2 and has some pretty good pics and info on the head movement so I plan on studying that before I try anything with the head.
I can't wait to see what your hiding up your sleeve.
could you give me a link to lumpys r2 if you have one? im actually really interested in r2's.
Here you go:
Lumpy's - R2-d2 Build "two-two's"
It's so awesome that I'm surprised Lucas hasn't either offered him a job or tried to sue him.
I was feeling a little motivated so I started to do a little work and took some pics.
I picked up a shin guard and mounted the case piece Alan gave me to it with rubber cement and hot glue.
I also got some hinges but I haven't cut the door yet.
I cut out some cardboard circles for the sections of the insides. I also cut some holes in the middle for wires. I'm going to get a cable de-tangler like they use on bikes to keep from twists for when I do get head movement going.
I thought about sealing the lid shut but now I'm thinking I might want to motorize it it so it opens and closes. I took some pics of different possible "modes" the lid could be in.
I still have to make some legs and I still don't know what I'm going to do about head movement yet. Still a lot to ponder. But that's what I've done tonight so far. I may be up for another hour or so. I have a BD party at Chuck-E Chesse to attend morning so if I get anything else done tonight I'll post it sometime tomorrow.
Do you have a drawing on how is it going to look like or will it be an exact replica of the r2?
@bautista116 No I don't have a drawing or anything. I don't really know how it's going to look. I'm looking for some suitable legs. I have a back up plan for them but there is a huge rummage sale this weekend so I'm hoping to find some legs there. If not I'll move onto plan B.
I'll get some pics after I do a little more work on it.
Not to hint on what im doing, but have you thought about this?