Pole Climbing Snake Robot

FIRST Robot Showcase
1

Hey FIRSTers!

I wanted to share with the community my entry into the NASA “Create the Future” contest.

My entry (which is also the subject of my Master’s work) is on the development of a Pole Climbing Serpentine Robot.

Please have a look at the following link, and if you have time, help me out by voting.

I really hope that the FIRST community can come together and help out.

See the entry HERE!

I am also in the process of building the NEXT GEN snake robot for pole climbing, and I will post up pictures as soon as I can.

Thanks for your help!

2

ughhh…

I tried to vote for yours, but I was stupid and accidentally used up all my votes :frowning:

I don’t mean to be rude, but some of those ideas were neither very good, nor seemed to represent very much thought or effort…

I hope you win, and good luck with the masters!

Any pics of it in operation? It looks really cool. This could definitely be used on oil-rigs, or in the ballasts of ships.

Great job.

3

I am currently building the final test version,

here is a picture of the progress so far: (it is the skeleton of the robot - actuators and body rings (akin to spine) )

http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v360/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39884480_5388.jpg

4

Here is another view (with another link and motor modules added)

http://photos-f.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v360/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39900229_7197.jpg

5

Any video of the operation?

6

I will be posting a video next week once the build is complete.

More eye candy!

Here is a bearing block…hot off the CNC!

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v360/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39902625_7313.jpg

7

ROBOT UPDATE!

Here are some pictures of the robot with more modules, the body structure and the skin attached.

Please remember to go HERE to VOTE!!

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v482/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39942310_6955.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v482/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39942311_7184.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v482/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39942312_7447.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v482/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39942313_7680.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v482/73/119/6233935/n6233935_39942314_7908.jpg

8

I met the VT group over a year ago at a summer workshop they held. I have to say they are a great group of folks that deserve your votes. Best of luck to you!

9

Here’s an excerpt from a recent news article:

"The Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa) of the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech won the grand prize at the 2008 International Capstone Design Fair with a trio of pole-climbing serpentine robots designed to take the place of construction workers tasked with dangerous jobs such as inspecting high-rises or underwater bridge piers.

…The robots were developed by mechanical engineering students Gabriel Goldman of Richmond, Va., and Nick Thayer of Poquoson, Va., who are both currently pursuing mechanical engineering doctoral degrees at Virginia Tech."

Way to go, Gabe!