What kind of robot to build for a convention?

[kmcclary]

Originally Posted by team2061

Team 2061 has a convention to attend next month but doent have a robot to showcase because we are a 2nd year team and our bot was taken apart for parts for this years bot so my question is what kind of bot to build for a convention that will amaze companies and other people and possibly becoming sponsors.

People LOVE "pets" and other things that exhibit life-like actions. IF you have VEX, the Vex programming kit, and a camera & servo platform from last year, I suggest you build a "green light worshipping robotic PET/MASCOT".

You'll need:
- a base with either omniwheels or a pair of wheels and castors
- last year's camera, with a pan/tilt servo assembly sitting on top of it.
- The green light box, and a 12V supply, as a portable device.

Mounting the pan/tilt assembly on the front of a basic rectangular base actually makes it look like some kind of a "one eyed puppy"...

Behavior:
- You show it the light box (you'll need a 12V source on your belt), and it follows you around.

Algorithm:
- Whenever it can't see the light it starts "looking around" searching for it.

Once the camera is tracking:
- IF the camera is left or right of the forward direction when the tracking settles, the base then rotates in place to face it.

Once facing the light:
- IF the tilt angle is less than some angle (~45 degrees), move forward.
- IF the tilt angle is greater than a high angle (~60 degrees), back up.

Now, whenever the tilt angle is between the two set points, the robot sits in front of you and gazes longingly at the light, like a puppy begging for a treat. Approach it, and it backs away so it's "not stepped on". Turn the light off, and it starts looking around for it.

If using an omnibase, it could also "sidestep" to try to get in front of the light, as well. Bumper switches increase the range of behaviors.


Team 470 built one of these, and it was a HUGE hit at several events we shared. We're planning on building a FRC scale one this fall, for parades.

For extra fun, you could have it do some "hey, pay attention to me" behaviors once sitting there if idle too long.
- Make it bark. (Add a sound system and a digital recorder card, and trigger it.)
- Have it "sit up and beg" (or raise its "paws") with additional motors & casters
- Add a "pet me" pushbutton sensor above it's eye, which makes it run in circles for a minute with joy (etc.)

Building the hardware for this isn't tough at all.

- Keith McClary
Chief Engineer, FRC 1502, "Technical Difficulties"
"We make easy things look difficult, every day!"