I was a former Robonova-1
I was a former Robonova-1
by bauermech
Mon Aug 28, 2006 1:28 am
Once I was a standard RN-1, now only some servos, six brackets, and a microcontroller could say I still am. Rook's Pawn... the second generation! 
This hybrid has 22 servos, 18 custom brackets, 7 reinforcement bars, 4 "anti-gravity" retention leg springs, 12 heat-sinks, independent leg rotation, Upper torso rotation, low-profile feet/Li-Poly enclosures w/ Kidex soles, increased degree range of motion in ankles and thighs, increased leg-gap, illuminated 'Rook's Pawn' name, and of course, gyros, accelerometer, bluetooth, grips, and camera. He's about two servo ports away from being maxxed out. He did have wrist rotation that occupied the final two ports, but made him a little more top-heavy than I liked. At this point, I'm playing it safe.
No time for anodization as ROBO-ONE 10 is about three weeks away (plane departs in two) and there’s still a lot of programming to do. Needless to say, I'm freaking out a little bit, but regardless of the outcome, this'll be an experience I won't be able to surpass for a long time.
This hybrid has 22 servos, 18 custom brackets, 7 reinforcement bars, 4 "anti-gravity" retention leg springs, 12 heat-sinks, independent leg rotation, Upper torso rotation, low-profile feet/Li-Poly enclosures w/ Kidex soles, increased degree range of motion in ankles and thighs, increased leg-gap, illuminated 'Rook's Pawn' name, and of course, gyros, accelerometer, bluetooth, grips, and camera. He's about two servo ports away from being maxxed out. He did have wrist rotation that occupied the final two ports, but made him a little more top-heavy than I liked. At this point, I'm playing it safe.
No time for anodization as ROBO-ONE 10 is about three weeks away (plane departs in two) and there’s still a lot of programming to do. Needless to say, I'm freaking out a little bit, but regardless of the outcome, this'll be an experience I won't be able to surpass for a long time.
by tempusmaster
Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:50 am
Viking wrote:Matt, What happend to all the other replies?? 8O
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Viking,
You're probably thinking about the same post in the Robonova forum...
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by bauermech
Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:51 pm
Viking wrote:
Matt, What happend to all the other replies??
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Viking,
You're probably thinking about the same post in the Robonova forum...
Yeah, that's what I get for duplicating posts in two different topics. I just couldn't decide where he'd fit better... here or there.
by bauermech
Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:27 am
Once I gather up my sences more, I'll have much better stuff to tell. In a nutshell... Pawn kept falling on the 8th out of the 10 steps he was required to take in the ten allocated seconds of the preliminary exam. 
That kinda' sucked, but didn't get me down too much... well, we'll say for too long. We were on the other side of the globe and interacting with many of the best robotisists on the planet. This time 'round was great, but the next will be better. We are returning in the Spring for ROBO-ONE 11 and probably hit up some J while we're there.
That kinda' sucked, but didn't get me down too much... well, we'll say for too long. We were on the other side of the globe and interacting with many of the best robotisists on the planet. This time 'round was great, but the next will be better. We are returning in the Spring for ROBO-ONE 11 and probably hit up some J while we're there.
Walking code?
by Gort
Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:17 pm
Are you looping the walking code? You may have too break up the steps into smaller segements. Make small adjustments in each segement too keep the robot from falling over. Did you make a video of it? That may help in making the adjustments. I would have thought the gyros would have kept the robot from felling over? My robot dos have problems with some surfaces more than others. 
by DerekZahn
Mon Sep 25, 2006 2:49 pm
bauermech wrote:We were on the other side of the globe and interacting with many of the best robotisists on the planet. This time 'round was great, but the next will be better. We are returning in the Spring for ROBO-ONE 11 and probably hit up some J while we're there.
Congratulations on having such a great time, and good luck with your preparation for the next contest. Do you have a plan for what you'd like to do to RP yet?
On the small chance that I get my robot to actually work reasonably, I think it would be fun to follow your lead and travel to Japan for the next competition, sounds like it's a blast!
by buenodiablo
Thu Sep 28, 2006 3:06 am
After seeing all that fun you guys had in Japan it really inspires me to get started on a robot. Sorry to hear that you didn't make the qualification, but I'm sure you'll get the bugs worked out before the next comp. It would be nice to see more competitions starting up in the US and Canada.
Jeff Robertson
Lexington, Kentucky
Jeff Robertson
Lexington, Kentucky
by bauermech
Sun Oct 01, 2006 4:36 pm
Hi everybody, Sorry I've been so busy. I'll be posting our wonderful experience in Japan as soon as I'm better caught up w/ everything else (STILL not done). To answer some of your questions...
We were able to make a few attempts between running back to the pits for code adjustments, but by the time we made it back on the third shot, the room was cleared. We had to do ten steps in ten seconds or less, and fell nicely within the limit, but like you said, our timing was off just enough that he'd fall. By lengthing the delay between each repitition, it gave him a chance to stabilize some... it just wasn't long enough.
Yeah, the gyros are nice, but no cure-all. The servos, from heavy use over the months, had much more play in them than they used to. It's a good idea to change them out w/ new ones before an event like this especially, and was able to w/ some, but I fried three or four of them previously from over-volting, and ran shy on replacements... and the funds needed to buy 'em.
Well, his present design isn't bad. I'd still like to mod the legs further and beef up the servos in various spots.
I totally recommend experiencing it! It was a blast, and we learned so much...
I doubt very much you'll regret it. I can't think of too much more I'd enjoy doing than "playing" around with robots.
Have you checked out the RoboGames/ROBOlympics? http://www.robogames.net It's held annually in San Francisco, CA... usually father's day weekend. Hope to see you there in June!
[/quote]
Are you looping the walking code? You may have too break up the steps into smaller segements. Make small adjustments in each segement too keep the robot from falling over.
We were able to make a few attempts between running back to the pits for code adjustments, but by the time we made it back on the third shot, the room was cleared. We had to do ten steps in ten seconds or less, and fell nicely within the limit, but like you said, our timing was off just enough that he'd fall. By lengthing the delay between each repitition, it gave him a chance to stabilize some... it just wasn't long enough.
I would have thought the gyros would have kept the robot from felling over?
Yeah, the gyros are nice, but no cure-all. The servos, from heavy use over the months, had much more play in them than they used to. It's a good idea to change them out w/ new ones before an event like this especially, and was able to w/ some, but I fried three or four of them previously from over-volting, and ran shy on replacements... and the funds needed to buy 'em.
Do you have a plan for what you'd like to do to RP yet?
Well, his present design isn't bad. I'd still like to mod the legs further and beef up the servos in various spots.
On the small chance that I get my robot to actually work reasonably, I think it would be fun to follow your lead and travel to Japan for the next competition, sounds like it's a blast!
I totally recommend experiencing it! It was a blast, and we learned so much...
After seeing all that fun you guys had in Japan it really inspires me to get started on a robot.
I doubt very much you'll regret it. I can't think of too much more I'd enjoy doing than "playing" around with robots.
It would be nice to see more competitions starting up in the US and Canada.
Have you checked out the RoboGames/ROBOlympics? http://www.robogames.net It's held annually in San Francisco, CA... usually father's day weekend. Hope to see you there in June!
[/quote]
by buenodiablo
Tue Oct 03, 2006 2:10 am
Have you checked out the RoboGames/ROBOlympics? http://www.robogames.net It's held annually in San Francisco, CA... usually father's day weekend. Hope to see you there in June!
Oh the wife and I are planning to attend the San Francisco Robogames again. This years was a blast. FYI I was the only North American entry for Japanesse and micro sumo this year. Kind of a let down but you guys put on a good show. I'm not sure if I'm going to bother upgrading the sumo robot or just put together a robo-one. Seems Robo-one is the place to be.