Hey. It's been a long time again. I just wanted you to know about my new robot...which is almost complete. Unlike my second robot which was a modified RC car, this was built from scratch. Also, I didn't go for speed, but quality.
4 HSR-1422CR continuous rotation servos allow the rover to move. I could have used two servos and some form of transmission, but out of pure glutton I used 4 independent servos.
As for the chassis, I used something called etalbond. For those of you who don't know what etalbond is, check this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EtalbondI used one piece for the bottom(I bent it so the top on can fit on it), one smaller piece for the top and 2 side panels on which I attached the servos( I had a really nice idea. I cut little rectangles out of the side panels and in those holes, I attached the servos).
The material(etalbond) is all black.
My old trustworthy arduino(soon to be replaced with an axon or arduino mega) is still used as the brain on this rover.
As sensors, I was going to use 3 SHARP IR rangefinders(10cm-80cm) mounted on the front, but that is not very efficient. So I took it to the next level(Yeah, I'm good...and also very modest) and ordered myself 2 cheap servos. I am going to place 2 sensors on the new servos(one in the back, one in the front) and I am going to attach the 3rd sensor on the bottom of the rover. This way, the rover will know if it is gonna fall.
The chassis is all done, the motors are in place, I have to attach the sensors and finish up positioning the electronics for better weight distribution. I have some pictures and I will post them soon.
I am also working on an autonomous RC heli and a small beambot for my little brother.
P.S. I recently got my breadboard and I was analyzing it when I made an incredible discovery.
If you're cheap or if you live in a place where you can't find breadboards, you can make one very easily. Just take about 200(depending on the desired size of the breadboard) female(or male if it suits your needs) pins and solder them on a regular Perforated(pcb) board.
Connect them in either way you want...Longitudinal or Latitudinal(Horizontal or Vertical).
On my next robot, I am gonna use the experience I got from this rover, but I want it twice or thrice the size of this and I am going to make it RC'd. Or maybe add a robotic arm on this one.
I don't know!
Please give me your opinions, suggestions, etc.
I will post some pictures in a few minutes!