Even the treads are printed!!!
You can download the model here: www.thingiverse.com/thing:15528
Inspired in that and in this tickle robot…
…here is another idea for the babelbots:
Category Archives: Tower of Babel
Collapsing Domino Tower
Thoughts on the Upend version
Some scribbled variations on the Upend idea.
Hinges
The hinge could be either integrated in the robots, or the connection between the robots. I think I prefer the former, because a hinge could make the connection weak.
Falling and landing
A symmetric construction avoids the problem of the robots landing on their back when falling. The robots could also be round (barrel-shaped) so they will – hopefully – automatically turn when landing on their sides.
Staying upright
Maybe the hinge could automatically block when the robot is upended, keeping it from keeling over? The robots could stick together on their flat sides. A connection in the gap (e.g. magnets or a slightly sticky surface) might also help to stabilise the tower.
Whegs
Variant IV of the “Moonwalker” robot
Substituting the gears with a direct link. We still need three servos, one for each side and one for the lifting-up. Model done with sketchup and simulation with sketchyphysics:
“Sputnik” robots
Robot rulez
Thinking of an approach that would allow Emergence, David and I tried to identify some of the rules that will control the robots’ behaviour:
check status: horizontal or vertical > if vertical then stop motors (?) check status: upside up or upside down > if upside down, change motor direction check light intensity: > compare to previous value >> if higher than previous value >>> if more on right side, turn right (e.g. stop right motor) >>> if more on left side, turn left (e.g. stop left motor) >>> if equal go straight >> if lower than previous value, change motor direction (go backwards) check status: collision > check if wall or other robot >> if wall, then turn >> if other robot check if it's its front or back >>> if front, then keep going >>> if back, follow its orders (e.g. left and right LED) check status: following other robot? > if yes, follow its orders (e.g. left and right LED) -- light/color gradient on floor check light intensity: > compare to previous value >> if higher/lower than previous value, keep going >> if lower/higher than previous value, turn (in one or random direction)
Gradient navigation
An alternative approach to the beacon navigation idea:
Imagine the robots as photophobes with light sensors pointing downwards (e.g. one in the front and one in the back). A gradient on the floor will guide them to the center and keep them from escaping, making an arena fence unnecessary.
Omniwheels
SMORES self-assembling robots
Nice idea to use the wheels as connectors and vice versa!