Robotics

Intro | Update 1 - Motor Driver & 3rd Wheel

This is basically a "notebook" tracking the construction of my first robot. As such, I don't really know what I'm doing, so feel free to point out blatant errors and better ways of doing things!

Introduction

Internet readers, meet Bob! Bob, meet internet readers..

Bob didn't mean to be impolite by not introducing himself. As you can probably tell from the picture, Bob simply doesn't have much in the way of brains yet. Yes, that is a 16F76 PIC Microcontroller on top - but it's not connected to anything. Nor does it have any code in it yet. I simply stuck it up there to see if I'd have room for the H-Bridge motor driver circuit on the same breadboard. Unfortunately there isn't, which means I'll have to learn to solder, so I can put the driver circuit underneath.

Bob's frame is a little aluminum project case from Radio Shack. His drive train consists solely of parts scavenged from some "ALPS Micro Cassette Assembly"s (motors, pulleys, bands, bushings, axles..) bought for 99 cents each off electronic goldmine. If you hurry, they might still have some..! But they go up to 1.99 on September 30th (2005) :( If you're desperate, send me a line - I bought extra.

What's the brown spot on the breadboard, you ask? When I was a bit younger, I enjoyed blowing up transistors, capacitors, and lots of other little components. 'Nuff said.

I'll end Day 1 with a picture of Bob's beautiful underside and backside. Bob would probably be embarrassed, but again... he doesn't have any brains, so we won't worry about that.

And one more of Bob's back, after I added the skid/wheel.

Bob did well on his first test. He's a spunky little guy. Of course his lack of brains causes him to run into walls rather frequently.And he has problems moving in straight lines because of slight frictional differences between the two motors. Not bad though. Good job, Bob.

Be back later with some code!

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