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
Ericez's Dog The Little Robodog Ez-B V.4
Rentaprinta's Moveo Project
@Ron.
Thanks buddy. Yeah, I thought working with such a small space might be a bit of a challenge, but it all kind of worked out... so far.
I would have liked to have used one of the feet from Six for his tail, but the cutout I would have had to if done wouldn't have been aesthetically pleasing. Using the wire covering works well and is flexable enough so it will bent out of the way when he will eventually sits.
I'm thinking the Sharp IR will go in his chest area, and the 4 in 1 will go inside along with the photosensitive light sensor, with the diode poking through a small hole. The PAR I'm not so sure about. It could go in the top back of the body, or go in the chest area as well.
i like this build very much.
@nomad.
I'm pleased you like it so far. Hopefully the building part should be done by the end of the weekend.
Wow Steve, It's coming a long very nicely, shame about the outer leg casings not fitting, but the hose was a very Nifty idea and looks good. The 4600mAh battery should give you a long run time.
I'm thinking of replacing the battery lid switch for a on/off switch, but need to remove the side casings to get at it. BUT trying to get back to finishing off my InMoov build. Can you give me your email address.
Cheers, Chris.
Thanks Chris. Looking forward to getting him finished now and testing out the movements etc.
My email address is in my profile.
Sorry Steve, I must be blind, I looked first in your profile and couldn't find it, but that was on my iPhone, and my eyes aren't what they were!
Thanks Chris.
It's not you Chris. I just added it back in there. I took it out a while ago as I was getting a lot of emails asking for help with their EZ-Robot issues... far to many for me to deal with.
@Richard.
C64 seems to be alive, and the tape works too. Oh the memories all came flooding back.