Pixy robots for a display

[Apollo Timbers]

Hello all,

I'm relatively new to the archreactor group. I have been to a few 3D printer meet ups and a business meeting. Though I have enjoyed the time at the space and meeting new people. I would like to start by introducing myself to the group. My name is a Apollo Timbers I have a strong background in electronics and robotics. My previous job was working on intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) guidance systems and support systems in the Air Force. I have a website that I keep up documenting my older and current projects. www.secondrobotics.com

I have seen a need/desire for a awesome tabletop demonstration for examples of some of the projects that the hacker space makes. So I would like to submit the idea of having mini pixy robots. There would be about three mini robots created that chase and pick up color balls. This would be a interactive display as anyone can reach in a throw a ball around for them to chase or play keep away from the robots. They can also chase around each other. Below is a few images of the concept and I also already have a rough parts list.

• A rough unit price per robot is around 180 dollars.

• The display can be made with scrap materials and would cost sub 20-30 dollars

• There are also higher detailed robot pictures attached.

Let me know what you guys think. I plan on fleshing out the details and submitting for a Awesome Grant. (If anyone can point me to the forum that would be great) Was in a bit of a rush so I snapped quick pictures of sketch-up I will be attaching the file later.

[Chris Weiss]

good news is, you found the forum!

these look awesome.  I've done some color following with my pixy and bot, but it's all been following a person, which is really lighting sensitive.  having it follow a ball on a top down lit table top would be so much easier.

[Ryan/baslisks]

I know Trossen robotics had a demo that did this at the last KC makerfaire I went to. Was pretty neat.

On Wed, Sep 3, 2014 at 2:40 PM, Chris Weiss <cwe...@gmail.com> wrote:

good news is, you found the forum!

these look awesome.  I've done some color following with my pixy and bot, but it's all been following a person, which is really lighting sensitive.  having it follow a ball on a top down lit table top would be so much easier.

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[Travis Megee]

Btw here's the link to the form:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UxubfFFdQuzePudZxt2awWq1lF0NptagBp-g5eTJpL0/edit?usp=sharing

I additionally linked it on the org page:
http://archreactor.org/about/organization

Travis

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[Apollo Timbers]

Thanks I thought long about the design. I really want to make it simple yet a open looking robot. This would I hope help others see that building robots does not have to be complicated. I have filled out the grant proposal and will be submitting it soon. I'm a tad worried though I would like to become a member first if not just a supporting member before I do though I'm not sure how much weight that has on the decision to fund projects. Though being new to the group I did see they would like us to up front cost so it is less risky. I understand this completely and it is a good precaution. A few more details of the design include a shield on the Arduino (not shown) that contains headers for hooking up the servos and sensors. I also plan on adding a five LED's for use as a battery level indicator. This would consist of two green, 2 yellow and one red LED.  

[Bob S.]

I like the idea.  I have a pixy that I have not really played with yet...   I would be interested in putting one together.  Might be fun if we were to get to the point of making it a competition..... just a thought... :)  (In addition to demo mode for displays!!)

-Bob

[Apollo Timbers]

I think the robot hardware/look should be as close to the same as we can. Though I do like the competition aspect of it. A game with these should not be to far of a stretch for the robots in there current form. Mainly having a (may the best coder win battle) or something similar. This is of course is where I will lose to a crack programmer *sob* or a team, but it will be a glorious battle none the less.

Now get out you pixy, blow off the dust and make a base already :), don't you want a head start on the program battle?

Apollo

[Chris Weiss]

relevent https://learn.adafruit.com/pixy-pet-robot-color-vision-follower-using-pixycam

[Apollo Timbers]

Nice find!

I was looking around the interwebs last night for pixy code and also came across this little guy. The pan tilt head is nice but I was looking to keep the robot simple. I also hope my design has a bit better battery life and voltage then four double AA's. I will most likely use code from this to have a good starting point though.

There is a bit of work still to add randomness to the code, obstacle avoidance with the IR sensors, and finding other robots/goals. Not to mention the code to handle gripping the objects. Splitting up some of these task for some others to have a crack at may reveal some very cool code.

Apollo

On Friday, September 5, 2014 2:33:28 PM UTC-5, ||cw wrote:

relevent https://learn.adafruit.com/pixy-pet-robot-color-vision-follower-using-pixycam

[Chris Weiss]

pixy's facebook page just shared that today. I imaging 4AAs will
drain pretty fast with a pixy. I'm using an 8AA with my bot, and with
cheap AA alkalines it's not much life before it starts acting odd.
some higher mAh rechargeable would probably work better.

[Apollo Timbers]

Hello all,

Bob was nice enough to let me borrow his Pixy and I got it working on a pan tilt. Below is the silly video I made of it. In its current state it is having the Arduino calculate the servo output values. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xTWl4vtG3M

Hope you guys enjoy the video.

Cheers, 

Apollo 

[Bob S.]

Nice!!

  Glad it works! :)

-Bob

[Keith Rogers]

Haha, cool!

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[Apollo Timbers]

Hello all,

I'm in need of a few items to help complete the project. Below is a list of items. 

1. 1k resistors 1/4 watt carbons are fine 
   
2. 2 inch/50 mm brightly colored plastic balls. (I have had difficulty finding some for this project)  colors in blue, yellow, red, purple, green, orange
   
3. Plastic sheets for the bases around 3 mm thick (They need to be white as not to attract the Pixys attention)
   
4. Plywood  a little over 1/4 inch thick that it about 3 foot by 4 foot 

 If anyone can bring or knows how to easily obtain any of the above items please let me know. 

Thanks, 

Apollo Timbers 

[Chris Weiss]

I think I have some plywood that would work, and probably have some resistors

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[Michael Kuba]

In my box in the space (labeled The Kubas) I should have some assorted resistors you are welcome to. At least, I think that's where they are...

There should be plywood in the shop, though it might be hard to find that size.

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[Tom Blevins]

I don't know if these will exceed your weight but Hi bounce balls can be bought at party stores at close to you diameter here's a link to some that might work:
http://www.partycity.com/product/neon+bounce+balls+6ct.do?from=Search&navSet=hi%20bounce&bypass_redirect=1

Party City has local stores.

-Tom