RCU Forums - View Single Post - Autonomous ROVER on the Tri-Track Chassis
Old 01-12-2008 | 03:56 PM
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H3li
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Default Autonomous ROVER on the Tri-Track Chassis

Hi guys,

Never actually built my BOT as I ended up getting a RC Helicopter instead, but the project was as follows...

For a while I had planned to build an Autonomous Robot, based around the Tri-Track Chassis...
[link=http://www.active-robots.com/products/platforms/tri-track.shtml]http://www.active-robots.com/products/platforms/tri-track.shtml[/link]

I had proposed to use the ooPic micro-processor.
I chose this Chipset as you can program the EEPROM using a variation of Visual Basic!
How better to program the BOT and its autonomous features! I have alot of commercial programming expertise, so this was a natural choice.

The EYES of the BOT would be a rotating Turrett that housed a CMUcam2 camera.
The Cam can be programmed to track colours/objects/movement etc.

An excellent demo Video of the Cam following a coloured object can be found here..
[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NL3Aglr-Pc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NL3Aglr-Pc[/link]

Also adding IR and Sonar sensors, for greater range, and a method of roaming the environment and "learning" where objects are, for navigation around a room etc.

- - - - - - - - - - -

CURRENTLY...

Mixing robotics and radio control, I'm very interested in building a flying Drone - Glider or Winged craft - Bit like the military Predator.
Incorporates a micro-processor that is linked to a GPS module and an Accelerometer.

So the craft would be able to fly a course without assistance, to a waypoint or location specified, using its onboard GPS.
Could even add a Cam so it will take video or shots, as it flys over its course, or when it reaches a waypoint. Would be a great project!