Balancing Robot

Project leaders:

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Meeting:

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We are meeting every other Sunday by teleconference.  If you are interested in finding out more, please email Tyson Messori.         

Project Description:

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The goal of this project is to develop a robot locomotion system for use in outdoor environments that is more efficient and capable than the standard tank track systems employed in almost all military/police robots to date.  The principal to be tested is a method for allowing a robot to balance on two wheels while traversing rough outdoor terrain.  This project has real world applications in the field of long term security monitoring, road side bomb detection and disaster area reconnaissance.  The technology being developed will allow a robot to traverse long smooth distances with significantly less energy than a tracked vehicle, while maintaining the ability to traverse difficult terrain like stairs and rubble.  This is accomplished by allowing the robot to operate in two modes, one for high speed, and the other for high traction.

The following specs have been developed for this root:

• Primary Processor: Atom 2Ghz CPU - for path planning and image processing.
• Secondary Processor: "Propeller" micro controller utilizing 8 80Mhz processor cores - for sensor data gathering and motor control. 
• Primary Motors: Midwest Motion Products 24v 180W gear motors.
• Height: 32"
• Weight: 50lb

For more information about the robot and it's construction, please see the associate wiki page on this site.