Final Project Plan

I will make a robot that can locate specific objects, pick them up, and load them into an internal compartment.

I will need the following materials (some of which I already have, but putting prices down anyway):

• Plywood for outer shell and base: $30

• Foam for outer shell: $10

• Fabric for outer shell (most likely fleece): $5

• 2 Motors, gearbox, and wheels: $40

• 2 casters, ball bearing type: $10

• Servo to drive lifting arm: $10

• Rechargeable battery pack: $30

• Scoop mechanism, possibly 3D printed: ?

• Electronics components, more details below

These are the subsystems

• Mechanical design (where everything fits, driving, scoop mechanism)

• Electronics design (power with regulators, microcontroller, object detection via distance sensor,

To be determined:

The best way to localize the objects to be picked up. Distance sensor? Wireless camera with off-board vision processing? RFID?

Timeline: 10/18: program a microcontroller to control robot drive train and servo. Add power regulation circuit.
10/25: Make miniature scoop mechanisms during 3D printing.
10/01: Integrate distance sensor.
11/08: Build robot base.
11/15: Build shell.
11/22: Make final scoop mechanism.
11/29: Build robot control/communication system with Zigbee.
12/06: Integrate all subsystems.
12/13: final project presentations