Day 1 (4th August 2015)
So after throwing around a few ideas for a new project to sink my teeth in to, I decided to go ahead and do my own version of an Astromech Droid, rather an Astromech "Smartdroid". With K-9 being one of my all time favourite on-screen robots, R2-D2 was (and still is) just as much of an all time favourite of mine so building one of my own droids is a logical step for me. As my other robot showcases where posted when the majority of the work was done, this will be a build diary of sorts, with updates throughout the build.
So wanting to get back to building, I had a few ideas floating around for my next BIG project and the thought about doing an R2 style robot came up a few times in the past (the blueprints I drew up that I've posted are 3 years old and was for an R/C version), and after encountering a few design issues for a large custom robot (which I will get back to one day), it was @Robot56's fantastic Astromech Droid project that was the final push for me to decide what direction I should go. There are so many great scale replica Astromech builds around that people have done, but much like my K-9 2.0 build, I want to stay away from doing an exact prop replica build and do a custom build with custom paint job (as seen in the blueprints) while still keeping with the overall original design.
So what's with the name E4-B4 (Eiifor-Befour)? Well its kinda based on the EZ-B 4, of which this little'ish guy will have two of them. One master v4 to control motor controllers, ping sensors, v4 soundboard, camera and sensors, while the 2nd slave v4 will be used for all of the servos used as well as additional sensors. E4 will be mainly built using MDF with a plastic covering, and movement will be powered by 12v 30 watt gearbox/motors for the drive system. The "burtt acoustic signaller" and system ventilation vents on R2-D2's chest area (the two silver square'ish panels) will be replaced on E4 with a tablet PC, and the Optical Holographic Projector in R2's head will be something similar to what E4 will have, using a portable projector like the Aiptek or the Pico Genie, so no holograms... yet.
The dimensions will be slightly smaller than the original prob, but not by much so E4 will be plenty big enough. I'm intending to fit a few useful tools that he will be able to deploy, and of course have the fully rotating head which will have all kinds of bells and whistles. I have some of the MDF sheets and 2x4 wood lengths for the frame already, and the motors and head dome (lampshade) should be with me sometime this week, so it will be power tools at the ready. I'm in no rush to finish this project, but I am aiming to have E4-B4 pretty much finished by this December.
I will posting lots of photos and few videos throughout the build process, so I hope anyone reading will find this build dairy interesting and enjoyable. And as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions (especially on the colour scheme). Anyway thanks for reading, and let the build begin...
Steve.
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OK, Now you're just showing off. LOL. Truly amazing how much this little droid can do. You've done a great job here. I'm stunned how fast you built and programed this. Your skills are blossoming with each bot you build. I hope your next one is NOT a terminator. eek
@Bob.
Many thanks for your comments buddy. I'm really pleased you like him. In regards to servos, he has a mixture of micro and HD servos, 30 in all. The EZ-B has the motor controller, 4 pings, 5 relays, 2 RGB LED's, 2 servos and a PAR sensor which takes up pretty much every digital port which left 28 servos to hook up, so the servo controller was the best option.
@Dave.
"Little droid", yeah he is a small fella, but boy does he way a ton. I need to make me one of them cranes that lift droids in to the X-wings when I need to lift him. After what I've seen with your stunning B9 arms, maybe you could help me with that, lol.
Anyway, thanks Dave for your kind words and support. I'm certainly learning lessons on the build side of things and slowly but slowly getting there with writing scrips, although I've still got a long way to go with that. I'm just not picking it up as fast as of like, but I'll keep plugging away at it.
Yes now the head scratching begins "what to build next". Okay, you have a point about not building a terminator. Now a Cylon centenarian on the other hand... "By your command" eyeroll
Thanks again guys.
Steve, what an amazing robot, well done!
I was also made in Mitcham (born in Lavender Avenue off Figges Marsh) so know the area well and I built my first (big) robot there in 1979 in my Dads shed.
I did not realize that object recognition worked so well, is this Roborealm that you are using?
After such an incredible build as this, I am looking forward to see what you do next!
Tony
Hi Tony. Great to hear from you, and thanks for the compliments. I know Lavender avenue well as my surgery is Lavender fields.
In regards to the recognition, I do have to roborealm but haven't used it for a while. What I'm actually using is ARCs recognition. There are times some objects will need several trained angles as it won't pick up so well, such as the remote controller in the video above, but as you've seen, recognising the beer can and phone bought back some amazingly fast response times. I've had hit and miss results on actual tracking though, but that's probably down to poor lighting on my part which is being addressed shortly.
We'll deffinatly arrange to hook up sometime. I hadn't forgotten, it's just that life got in the way (as it usually does).
Anyway, I hope you're keeping well and it's really nice to hear from you.
Yes, what to build next? Hmm.
Hi Steve,
I am lost for words. I can only say watching you go from the concept to the completed robot with all it's abilities has been great! It is incredible what your guy can do! I never thought your plan was to make such an interactive robot. He seems to be a great companion. I can't say enough except WOW !
Thanks again, for sharing !
Ron R
Be well
Hey Ron.
I enjoyed sharing the build with you guys and getting all of your feedback. Yeah the plan always was to cram in everything I could to make him as interactive and practical as I could with what I had. I've got a couple of friends who are coming over next weekend for a few Xmas drinks. It will be interesting what they make of him. They knew I was working on something robot related, but didn't know what.
I'm pleased you enjoyed he showcas, and thanks again for your kind words.
Take it easy.
Steve,
I want to thank you. Your build is amazing and it give me motivation to push through some issues that I have had with Rafiki.
David
Hey,, I hope he serves the drinks,,, LOL
Ron R