I-Cybie and EZ-B v4 conversion.
Day 1. 23/01/2016
Continuing from my other thread asking if anyone has hacked an I-Cybie, this showcase thread will detail my first EZ-Robot "toy" hack with this little dog. Because of the inner workings and circuitry of the I-Cybie robot dog, the idea to incorporate the EZ-Robot platform in to this little fella will be to completely gut it out, and replace the DC motors with HD servos for the limbs, and a couple of micro servos for the heads pan and tilt action. It will be a tight fit go get an EZ-B, battery, and servos inside, but I think it can be done.
Unlike my previous "Built from scratch" robot builds where I plan out most of what I would like to achieve, and how to go about it, this project I am just going to... well... wing it. I have little idea of the internal layout of the I-Cybie (apart from a few photos I have seen online), so this will involve quite a bit of trial and error.
After posting this, I'm going to break out the screwdrivers and start to take the little guy apart. One of the main things I want to have a look at and test once disassembled, is the existing I-Cybie sensors, and test them with a spare EZ-B to see I will be able to use some of them. If not, I'll replace them with EZ-B comparable sensors. Additions will be to change the eye LED's, add a camera, 4 in 1 sensor, and see what else i can fit inside that will be useful.
I have no idea how this is going to turn out (hence the first picture, lol), but this should be a fun and unique project, and I think this will be the first I-Cybie to EZ-B conversion project showcase. I'll try to remember to take lots of photos of the insides in case anyone else is tempted to do a hack themselves, and I will document my progress with this project. Below are a couple of thread links about possibly hacking an I-Cybie with an EZ-B...
https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/162
https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/152
:)confused Let the head scratching begin... confused:)
Other robots from Synthiam community
Pabi!O's Pabi!O's Wall-E
Moviemaker's Sunshine Is Back In Town
@Steve Seriously? You have a VIC64? I would seriously consider buying it off you if it worked... That's the first computer that I ever programmed (actually it was a vic20, but same thing)...
@Ron.
Cartridges, if you mean for the 64... tape deck dude, lol. I'm currently charging up the battery for the gold I-Cybie, but it's probably only got a short charge cycle. Got a new one though.
@Richard.
I know right. I used to have the VIC 20, then the Spectrum 128k, but the 64 was always my favourite. Didn't really do much programming myself, mostly played games (if I only knew then what I know now about how important computers are nowadays). Waiting 3 or so minutes for it's cassette deck to load a game, then hurray. Out Run was a cool game.
I did actually plug it in tonight, but unfortunately nothing happened. I won't give up though and I'll investigate further. If I do manage to breath life in to it, you're more than welcome to have it (after I have a quick play with it first, lol). I wouldn't take any cash from you though. It would be great just to pass it on to someone who appritiates what a wicked bit of kit it was for its time.
You guys were lucky, ,, I had to build my Sinclair
Ron R
@Ron.
I tell you, digging out that 64 sure bought back some fun memories. The one thing I remember about my Spectrum 128 was loading up software from its built in tape deck... the loud and irritating "whining and screeching" noises. Commodore never did that, lol. I thought I might of had a Tomy Trax buried away, but I think that went to "a better place" a long time ago. Shame.
It's certainly been a nostalgic few days.
UPDATE: Day 4. 26/01/2016
A bit of an EDDIE update. Well, things were all coming together, the shoulder servos were solidly mounted and aligned nicely, the EZ-B just had room to fit nice and snug... then I had a Homer Simpson moment. The EZ-B was a nice fit, but I didn't take in to account the protruding peripheral plugs (servos etc) when plugged in to the ports. The extra height meant NO ROOM.
Yep, what a doughnut eyeroll. So a re-design was in order. I peeled off the servos (and took some MDF with them. That E6000 glue is good stuff), flipped the platform over, and re-mounted the servos so that they now stand on end. I had to cut a bit of plastic away from the inner body, but it's a good fit. Now the EZ-B fits in-between the servos with the power loom fitting snugly in a recess cutout.
The head is almost done now, with the pan and tilt servos fitted in place, and a micro servo wedged in to operate the mouth. I had to do a bit of extra cutting, but everything fits nicely now.
As I mentioned, E6000 glue is good stuff, but I decided to put in a couple of screws to properly secure each foot to the brackets, as the feet will tack a lot of weight and movement.
Now that I'm back on track, I can get on with adding a few sensors, fitting the head to the body, and to start on the legs. If only Six new what's in store for him tomorrow, he'd run a mile.
Barring any more "Doh" moments, the next update should hopefully having the little dog looking more like... well, a dog.
The build is looking great Steve. Keep up the good work!
Looking good, even with the Homer mod...
Ron R
@rgordon and Ron.
Thanks guys. Hopefully I'll make a lot more progress later today. Fingers crossed.
@Richard.
About the C64, I believe it's the power supply that's faulty. A just hooked up a temporary supply and the little red light light up, so it's looking good so far. A friend of mine says he has a spare "working" original supply that he will give me next week. If all is good... it's all yours buddy.