Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: FlyingPoncho on April 05, 2013, 12:08:13 AM

Title: Feasibility of a robot idea - battery query
Post by: FlyingPoncho on April 05, 2013, 12:08:13 AM

Hi All,

In your opinion, is it possible for a battery pack to be created which would provide a robot enought power to be able to move a wheeled container, (weighing between 10kg up to 250kg), for up to 40 minutes at a top speed of 5 mph, before it needs recharging.

To make it more interesting, the robot must be no more than 15cm high and up to a metre long! I have a design in mind, but is it possible to get a suitable battery for this?

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Feasibility of a robot idea - battery query
Post by: Jon_Thompson on April 05, 2013, 02:51:43 AM

When I was a kid, we had a lawnmower that ran off a car battery, so lead/acid would probably do it.

Title: Re: Feasibility of a robot idea - battery query
Post by: waltr on April 05, 2013, 07:55:36 PM

A powered wheel chair should do that.

Title: Re: Feasibility of a robot idea - battery query
Post by: jwatte on April 06, 2013, 10:54:49 AM

Given that my car weighs two tons and runs at 55 mph for close to 100 miles purely on battery, yes, that's possible.
It's mostly a question of cost and weight. You'll likely want to look at LiPo batteries and compare to LiFePO4 -- the latter will have a much longer lifetime (measured in charge/discharge cycles) at a slightly higher cost, so more expensive to build, more economical over time.

Title: Re: Feasibility of a robot idea - battery query
Post by: FlyingPoncho on April 06, 2013, 05:11:57 PM

Thanks for your suggestions; I'll look into the LifePo4 option as it's about 19cm high which may be ok.  Now to see if I can fit enough to be able to lift a 250kg weight :>