Walmart R2d2

Wow, it's a nice size but it really is just a shell isn't it. Well, there's plenty of room for lots of bits and pieces. I look forward to see what you do and how you'll do it (and don't forget the videos later, lol).

@Andy

Is this the one you got ?

Star Wars Classic 18" R2-D2 http://www.walmart.com/ip/Star-Wars-Classic-18-R2-D2/44298638

And the price ?

To put some motors the arms need to be fixed ?

if you move the arms, the bottom part is fixed or can be rotated ?

Leg update:

It looks like there was going to be an actuator to extend and retract the wheel. I don't think I will use the strut. I want the space for the motor or servo.

I have these continuous servos and wheels from a VEX kit I was given. I may use them for the main drive.

That is about it for the teardown.

Ron R

@ptp Yes that is the one. Not cheap, but a lot is done for a hack. The leg pictures should answer your questions. I plan on having the legs locked for now. The bottom of the body will tip forward to allow the mounting of the front foot The wheels I am using extend out of the pods enough to keep the pod from dragging on the ground.

Hi Steve, The dome is nice and should allow the mounting of a camera, lots of LEDs, maybe some solenoids to wiggle things, and a speaker, if I don't mount the ezb up high. The matching of the gear for the dome rotation drive will be the hardest part.

I don't know if I will try to cut out the flaps and doors. I am not sure of the best way to cut them. The shell is styrene plastic and I don't want big gaps if I cut them. That will be a detail I will look at later.

It won't be as nice as your project, but should be a fun hack.

Ron R

By the way, how do I move the first group of pictures to the ribbon?

Ron R

@Ron.

Unfortunately, you can't. When you add new pictures, the picture carousel puts these new pictures in place of previous ones, and will keep doing so every time you upload new ones.

Ok, the EZB v4 Developer kit is on order! The price is right so I went for it. I wanted to use good servos, an ezb, a camera and ultrasonic sensor so why not get new while on sale!

I hope the wheels which come with the kit are big enough to do the job, or I will have to convert the VEX ones I have.

Ron R

Update:

I have been busy and my 3D printer is acting up but, I scaled and printed a test front foot, leg and continuous servo mount for the two side foot drive motors. I will post the .STL files later in the project once I print out the higher quality parts, and are sure they are correctly scaled.

I have 2 printers and 1 runs ABS better than the other but has a bug in it at the moment, so that needs to be fixed first.

Ron R

The parts you've printed look good. The improved quality ones you plan on printing should look and work great.

Update 12/8

Finally printed front foot and leg. Also printed 2 servo brackets to give more strength in the foot in case this gets heavier than hot glue can hold. If anyone wants the .stl files let me know and I will post them.

Once I get the developer kit and confirm which wheels I will use, I will begin the installation of the drive. I am using the continuous rotation servos. I think they will do the job.

I may build another continuous rotation servo for the dome drive from a new servo and some parts I have. I think I have a 330 degree 5k pot around somewhere and will use it for feedback.

Ron R

12/15 Leg update:

I assembled the servos in the legs. Legs are not the same construction so consider it if you do the build. I haven't decided on what to put under the front leg once I mount it. I may use a large ball caster I have instead of a regular caster.

The next step will be the front leg mounting and caster. I will lock the side legs once I get everything lined up.

I will be slowing down due to the holidays, but I will continue to update.

Ron R

@Andy - decided to take the plunge and mod mine as well. Do you have the stls so I could print the parts ?

Cheers

Hi @nanomole40

Here they are:

servo_tray_1.stl

CenterfootBorlee.stl

CenterlegBorlee.stl

I used Cura.

Cut the un-needed portion off the servo tray to fit. I haven't bothered to use a screw to make it stronger. I think it will be fine as is.

The leg needs to be cut to length to fit correctly.

Ron R

@AndyRoid - thanks very much. will print and cut to size

12/16

@nanomole Have fun..

Here is the lastest update:

Installation of switch, EZBv4, charging plug, battery tray and battery.

I used the switch location blocked off with a plate for the power switch and modified the lower charging port to become the real thing.

Ron R

It's coming along nicely Ron. Love the charging port idea.

12/17

I found a dome gear. Here is the file. :

Domepinion.stl

It will need to be modified to mount on the servo shaft, but the tooth profile seems ok.

Next is the mounting tray for the servo and the potentiometer mount and drive.

Ron R

Am so glad I came across this thread. I've been eyeing up the ezb for my build but was apprehensive cause I know nothing about programming etc. My initial thought was to take apart my interactive r2 and put those into my new R2. Am building a 2:3 scale version that I would really like to make autonomous like my interactive one which is the same size pretty much of the one you're modding. Was tempting to buy one of those as well lol. Nevertheless I hope by watching this thread to learn somethings to help Me out with mine. Thanks and keep up the postings and great work!

Pic below is what I've got this far. Also have the legs and feet somewhat done but awaiting for me to pick out wheels, motors, etc.

Hi @jkcweber,

Happy your building one too. You should really consider an EZ Robot Developer Kit for your build. It comes with the continuous servos, controller, battery pack ( can be changed out to a larger one later) and extra servos for doors and hatches. I know this sounds like a sales pitch, LOL , but this will really open the door for your robot. I think they are still on sale, and considering you need to buy motors battery stuff etc. it would be a good time to look at it now.

There is a lot of pre-configured pull down menus which you can use for movement, voice control, etc. Programming is easy and you can learn as you go. There are a lot of people here thank will help if you get in a jam. More complex programming can be done after you learn the basics.

By the way, Check out Steve G 's Project if you want to see a great droid !You can get some real good ideas there..

Have fun with your new project, and I will continue to post my progress.

Ron R

12/18 Update

I am not happy with the speed of the dome rotation using the pinion gear and a continuous servo. Too slow. I am going to make a tray and use a standard servo for now. If I decide to go more than 180 degree rotation, I may modify the servo with an external pot and pull the pin out of the gear to get the extra rotation. I will post pictures once I complete assembly and tests.

Ron R

12/18 Update

Dome actuator

I built a tray and mounted a standard servo to drive the dome. I used the standard JD shoulder servo arm and made an arm which slides into the servo arm and extends out to two standoffs on the outside ring of the dome bearing unit. It works great. If I decide to make the dome rotate more than 180 degrees I will modify the servo with an external pot and remove the stop pin.

I cut some holes in the bearing plate to allow the led, camera and other wires a way to pass from the dome to the ezb.

Stl files:

8_mm_thk_servo_tray.stl

domearm.stl

Pictures:

Enjoy

Ron R

Update: 12/21. I did a mock up and tested the drive. I had to relocate the battery to the same place on the front shell. This way the weight was more forward eliminating wheelies and allowed better steering. I made a new front leg and foot which will mount easier and is a little heavier. I wired up some led.s and mounted them in the dome. My last issue is how and where to mount the camera. Once that is figured out and done I will post all the pictures of what I did so far.

Ron R

12/22/15 Update:

Camera installed and leds are in the dome.

Wiring is connected and final assembly is done for testing.

I am still trying to print a front foot to my satisfaction. I had two failures and hope this next one will be ok. I need better filament instead of the stuff I am using.

Next will be a movement test and a check to be sure everything works. I will post a video, (no way like Steve G makes . LOL I’ll be lucky to keep stuff in the frame.) if I can. The Holiday is going to take over my time.

Ron R

Your conversion looks fantastic!

I picked up the electronic version of this from Costco and have been slowly making it more scale. In case your interested I have been working on a bearing supported shoulder pivot for it. With the eventual goal on making the center foot retractable.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1239839

It's still a work in progress but I've just about nailed it.

Hi @outcastrc,

Thanks for the information. I appreciate the conversion and will plan on using it in my next upgrade. Except for a couple of wiring changes I want to do, my R2D2 is running. I plan on putting up a video of the basics I have so far. He is limited on function right now, but I plan on more scripts for him. Due to the Holidays I had to stop for a while but I will soon start working on it.

Post some pictures of yours. I didn't know Costco had an electronic version and would like to see what you have done.

Ron R

The Costco electronics are pretty simple. Coin slot push button, sounds, flashing lights in his dome, and it spins the head back and forth. His one leg hops up and down as well. I'll most likely use the limit switches, the head motor system, and speaker but everything else is getting turfed.

In between shoulder prototypes I have been printing 40% scale stls from astronmech.net to enhance the droid where Jakks Pacific fell down in the design.

I have in this thread, an .stl file of the foot and front leg which is pretty detailed like the original. The scale is pretty good. Take a look.

Unless the motor/ gearbox is pretty fast, you may want to look at a servo direct drive to the dome. I found it more realistic than a gearbox/motor and what is nice you can stop in position. No need for the limit switches.

Have Fun with your mini R2 !

Thanks for the pictures of the Costco one. My original ideas were correct.

Ron R

Hi Andy, Did you ever make a video of your Walmart R2D2? When you get the chance, email me. Email listed on my user/settings page. Thx.

Hi @rgordon,

I have been waiting for the compass issue to be resolved so I could work on the navigation portion of R2 before I posted a video. He does run well in voice command mode (forward, stop reverse, left and right ) camera tracking works but not fully tuned, and dome lighting and rotation works well.

I really want to get the compass installed and maybe some pings so he will be able to roam and navigate to different areas by command. I put him on the bottom of my project list until the compass issue gets resolved.

He has come out as planned overall and will be a good companion.

Ron R

I couldn't find your email.

My bad. Thought you could see it by clicking on my user name. Want to talk to you about the .stl files.

here it is; rex.gordon61(at)gmail.com

Hi Rex, Message sent. I will be watching for your reply.

Ron R

@Ron.

I hope you get back to the little fella soon. Does the recent compass fix help you with what you want to do?

Just a thought, but what about putting a ping in the front of the centre foot? Might work well and not loot too out of place.

Hi Steve, I wasn't able to try it yet. I hope it works.

Thanks for the great idea about the front foot. I think it would work well and look good. I just need to see if the sensor can fit maybe in the leg also? If not, the foot should work fine. I will need to cut it up and try it.

By the way, have you heard of anyone "splitting a ping"? I mean use one ping as a transmitter, another ping as a receiver? The transmitter is stationary, the receiver sweeps. What do you think?

Be Well, I'm enjoying Eddie.

( I still like droopy ears )

Ron R

Hey Steve, I can't seem to find the compass fix. Have you seen it? It's not in the normal i2c, or tutorials.

Ron R

Yeah, gotta love the ears, lol.

I actually haven't heard of splitting a ping, but unless I'm missing something, I don't see what the advantage of that would be.

One thing to be aware of is the ground clearance of the foot/feet if the ping was to be fitted in the foot skirt. Too close to the floor could trigger false readings, so maybe the leg would be a better idea.

Just me burning brain cells again. I'm trying to get some way to determine robot location. Two plane radar, like the idea I tried using two cameras on servos 90 degrees from each other.

I will clamp it on first to see where it works best. Thanks for the heads up.

That cool. Here's the release notes link for the ARC update with compass improvements...

https://synthiam.com/Community/Questions/8974

Compass fix didn't work for me. Looking forward to you trying it though to see if maybe I have a bad sensor. It at least is reporting in degrees now instead of nonsense values, they just don't relate to the direction it is facing or how far it moved

Alan

Thanks, I hope they figure it out.

Ron

Hi @rgordon,

I have gotten all the .stl files together. I will do my best to answer your questions.

Ron R

Update: 2/8/2016

Here is some old info on how I installed the front and anti tip casters. The addition of the anti tip casters improved the movement quite a bit. I can't give a source for the parts because they have been laying around for a while.

Ron R

Sorry, I screwed up and didn't get in the pictures yesterday.

Ron R

The problem i have had with these types of casters is that they work fine if the floor is totally smooth,but if there are any small groove or gaps sure as plank flooring it tries to go hung up on that. The floor in my robot room is garage flooring that has a slight texture to it and the robot struggles with that.. Makes motion somewhat jittery.

Thanks for letting me know. I have a playroom floor which is smooth so I was never concerned. I wonder if a Omni wheel would work better ? A 2" to 3" would fit real nice.

Ron

I think that a small swivel caster that has a black rubber whell might work well,if you have space to mount it.

Yeah, sounds like a way I might have to go. I'll look around to see what I can find. Thanks,

Ron

Everything looks fantastic, as others have touched on, I would use a larger 1 inch swivel caster wheel. The third leg is fantastic ! great use of 3d printing.

Hey,,,, Where have you been? Welcome back. Thanks for the compliment. I printed out a case for the ultrasonic sensor which I will mount on the leg. I am still looking for a caster that I like. Ron

I'm not sure if anyone can help me with this, I am having a really hard time with finding a correct gear for the dome to rotate for the Jakks R2-D2. Please help!

@hockeynorton When I tried something similar to this, I attached a rather large wheel onto the end of a servo, and fit it snug in the base. I am not familiar with the Jakks R2-D2 but it should work. Just hook up the servo like any other and program it to your liking.

Hello @Hockeynorton,

I will try to look up the gear file. I may still have it.

I really think you may want to go to a servo as I showed in this thread. I tried the gear and the motion was very slow. The servo gives a nice realistic movement. If you wanted a 360 degree movement you could modify the servo and add an external pot for positioning.

Give me a little time to find that file. I hope I still have it.

Regards, Ron

You got lucky ! I found it on the first try..

Domepinion.stl

Ron

Awesome! Now I never dealt with 3D Printers before, I'm new to this world and just started programming in my free time a few months ago. I'll check out the STL file when I get home from work. I'm very open to learning and figuring things out on my own, but this gear has me going nuts. I just want to be able to actuate some rotation and motion. As of right now my R2 has a lit power button on rear, the arduino uno, a sound module, and Leds. My goal was to start simple. The program is a simple loop where every 30 seconds a different sound plays and a few LEDs light up. I'm very pleased with it as is, but I just want more and more.

Sounds like you are having a good time. I think you are hooked on this stuff.

The .stl file is the file a 3D printer uses to make the part. There are some libraries and other places which have them available, and allow you to print stuff on them, for a fee, or you can have it made by someone who has a printer.

Seeing you are using an arduino, I suggest you get a servo and try your hand at making it work. I also posted the .stl file for the Dome arm here. You could use the arm to move the dome easier than trying to use the gear. Just a suggestion. Servos are cheap on ebay, but you can get them here, at a Hobby Shop or Radio Shack.

Someday look at the stuff in the ARC. You will find programming with an EZB gives you all kinds of thing to play with, camera, all kinds of sensors, servos, tracking, motion, speech recognition.

Your R2 could do a lot ! The neat thing it this stuff is easy to program.

The main thing is to have fun and enjoy.

Regards Ron

Any video of R2 yet?

Hi @mcdaver, I am working on a large project and haven't had much time for my poor R2. I will try to get him out and see what I can do for a video soon. He is a fun guy as is, but I never finished installing the pings and a few other additions. I made the case for the leg ping but never installed it. Once they are added, I plan on a simple roam ability so he can run around the family room and visit thing on his own.

Regards, Ron

Ron

I have the same R2 being shipped to my home soon and already have a C3PO the same scale. He is about 31 inches. Just a little taller than my robot Dave. I will be making both into EZB robots. Your work will make my work easier.

Hi @mcdaver,

Have fun ! I haven't done much lately with my R2. I still have the .stl files if you need them. My goal is to someday improve on the navigation so he can be free to roam the house. I will add postings as improvements are made.

Ron

Updated and Finally finished ! (for now !) I installed an IoTiny in my R2D2.. He is doing well so far. I had a problem with the camera but a full charge into the battery seemed to make it go away. Here is the details of the IoTiny install and added speaker.

I need to add and build additional scripting. Once he is done a video will follow.

My robot head Antonn, and R2D2 should keep my Amazon Echo busy.

Antonn refuses to smile even though he says cheese !

Congratulations on finishing your building process. I know it has to feel great. I'm looking forward to your video. I have a little R2 I want to upgrade my self. I've been watching your process.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the congrats. It was good to finally get the IoTiny installed. I had some issues with the v/4 and it was overkill anyway. The bigger speaker will make a big difference and is a lot better than the old EZB/v4 one. It's now right in the grille mount where it should be.

I have begun tuning the Movement Panel and dome tracking. I also plan on running the lights I installed in the dome and of course he will need to speak.

I am planning on having Antonn give voice commands to operate R2. It should be fun.

Ron R, Your R2 is looking great, your placement of components for your hack look natural. Did you end up using the Vex drive or EZ Robot servos? The interaction you have planned between Antonn, R2, and the Echo dot, sounds interesting. Steve S

Hi Steve S,

Thanks Steve.

I used the EZ Robot Continuous Servos. There are .stl files in this thread which help mount them to the feet.

Antonn already commands Alexa to get schedules, music and turn things on and off which are and are not Alexa compatable. It will be fun to have him and R2 have discussions. If they need help Alexa can help get the answers.

Ron R

Finally, Here is a video !

@Steve S, I forgot you also wanted this. He is sorry he didn't mention your name too !

Ron

thats an awesome r2D2,very nice.

Thanks Buddy, Yes, he is fun !

Ron

What fun. Thanks for posting the video Ron. Well worth the wait. Good job. And thank R2 for the personal message, lol.

Amazing work and so much fun to watch!