From time to time, I travel around and show off the latest microcontroller applications with an interactive robot demonstration show. Below is a list of demonstrations that I can bring for each show.
You can also download my robot Power Point file, but be warned: the file is large (15Mb) because it contains many videos. (Compressing or zipping the file won't help -- sorry.)
Email me if you are interested in hosting a show. A book signing following the demo show is also possible.
| Still wondering if it's worth taking the time to study robotics?
Check out the January 2007 edition of Scientific American and read why Bill Gates (the leader of the PC
revolution) thinks robotics is the next hot field:
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Fliers from shows:
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| Demo Name | Description | Materials Used | A/V Files High Res = 512Kbps Low Res = 38Kbps |
| Clean Sweep |
A robot is programmed to search for and remove items from a table top.
It is also programmed to stay on the table without falling off. See the
Clean Sweep cool app page for
more details.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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| Robot Soccer |
This robot is equipped with several forward-looking IR proximity detectors, which
easily detect the official RoboCup Junior soccer ball. When it detects the ball, the
robot moves toward it to give it a kick. The robot knows where it is on the field
by sensing the gray-scale floor. This robot offers an example of
how a robot soccer game might be played. (See the
RoboCup Junior rules.)
Robodyssey Systems sells inexpensive proximity detectors and the ball can be ordered from Acroname or Wiltronocs. The soccer playing field can be ordered from Acroname.
(Click on images to enlarge them. Images taken from http://www.acroname.com/robotics/parts/R194-ROBO-BALL.html) |
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(48s, 2.48Mb) (48s, 250Kb) |
| RoboSapien Hack |
RoboSapien is a popular remote-controlled toy that has achieved world-wide fame.
The problem is, after an hour or so, the toy loses its allure. Here, we hack into
RoboSapien so it can be controlled autonomously by the BX-24 brain. Now, we don't need
the remote control to operate the robot -- it can think for itself! Add a few IR sensors
and it can navigate a tabletop, avoid obstacles, and even wrestle another RoboSapien.
(A switch is used to flip between autonomous and remote-controlled modes.)
Robodyssey's website shows
more
details and code examples.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(1m 26s, 4.66Mb) (1m 26s, 470Kb) |
| Multitasking |
One of the benefits of using the BX-24 microcontroller is its ability to simultaneously perform multiple tasks.
This is known as "multitasking". As shown in the video links at the right, multitasking offers powerful and practical solutions
to many difficult robotics applications. To get the full effect, watch both videos (with and without using multitasking
techniques); the difference is startling!
To learn how to get your BX-24 to multitask, see my step-by-step multitasking tutorial.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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With Multitasking:
(25s, 1.37Mb) (25s, 0.14Kb) Without Multitasking: (25s, 1.37Mb) (25s, 0.14Kb) |
| Line Follower |
This robot use two infrared transducers and four infrared LEDs to follow any black line. (Black electrical
tape works particularly well.) Robodyssey sells a cheap proximity detector kit that is perfect
for the job. Using a bit of angled aluminum helps align the sensors.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(47s, 2.77Mb) (47s, 250Kb) |
| Follow Me |
The Mouse robot is programmed to spin in a circle until someone (or something) moves close by
and is detected by the Sharp IR senor. The robot will then move toward the object,
stopping just shy of the person. If the person moves away,
the robot will follow. If the person moves far away (and out of sight of the IR sensor) it
will enter spin mode again.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(27s, 1.49Mb) (27s, 150Kb) |
| Robodyssey's Mouse on Shag Carpet |
Someone on the Yahoo BasicX discussion board
(http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/basicx/
asked if Robodyssey's Mouse robot could
operate on thick, shag carpet. I know that the Mouse can run on a multitude of surfaces including dirt and short grass,
but didn't have a clue whether or not it would run on shag carpet. So, I visited my local Home Depot and borrowed
one of their carpet samples for the night and went home to put the Mouse to work. The carpet shag was 1.125" thick --
the thickest shag they had (see images below).
In the videos (on the right), you can see that the Mouse does, in fact, work on shag carpet, but don't expect the precision you'd get on a smooth, hard surface. Also notice that the robot moves with more precision when moving linearly than it does when turning. The Mouse comes with two tail support options: a smooth phenolic ball and a swiveling tail wheel assembly. Both work on the shag, but the tail wheel offers a significantly better performance, as shown in the video. Users of older Mouse robots take note: Recently, Robodyssey upgraded their wheels for the Mouse. The new wheels provide a better grip on hard, smooth surfaces -- and they work better on shag carpet, too. In fact, the old wheels didn't provide any traction on the carpet, but the new wheels (shown in the video) work very well.
 
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(39s, 1.9Mb) (39s, 0.2Mb) |
| Crawler |
This caterpillar-driven crawler by Robodyssey is a cheap alternative to their
more expensive (and more rugged) wheeled and walker robots. The BX-24 is used in
conjunction with Robodyssey's BasicH motherboard to control DC motors.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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Crawler Video Clip 1
(20s, 1.09Mb) (20s, 109Kb) Crawler Video Clip 2 (26s, 1.46Mb) (26s, 146Kb)
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| ESRA |
ESRA (short for Expressive System for Robotic Animation) is always a crowd pleaser.
In this demo, I've programmed ESRA to respond to bright light and to nearby people.
Don't get too close! Notice that ESRA can communicate his feelings via an
LCD panel. (See my step-by-step LCD tutorial.)
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(43s, 2.20Mb) (43s, 220Kb) |
| Robot Music |
The BX-24 is programmed to play a series of simple tunes, such as "Row, Row, Row Your Boat",
and "Hayden's Surprise Symphony". The user can attach a homemade keyboard and
play their own simple tune. The BX-24 can simultaneously output two frequencies to
the speaker. When the frequencies are nearly the same, a beat is created. (See the last set of
videos.)
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
|
Various Songs
(48s, 2.48Mb) (48s, 250Kb) Piano (48s, 2.48Mb) (48s, 250Kb) Beat frequency (48s, 2.48Mb) (48s, 250Kb) |
| Battle Bot Hack |
Get any old radio-controlled (R/C) cars laying around that don't work because you've
lost or broken the remote? Or perhaps the allure of that type of toy no longer holds
your interest? If so, this is the demo for you! Here, I have hacked into a old, remotely
operated Battle Bot, removed it electronics, and connected the motors to a Robodyssey
BasicH
Motherboard. Now, the BX-24 can control the DC motors of the car with an
integrated 3 amp Dual H bridge. A homemade robot! Add some sensors it becomes a
truly autonomous vehicle able to think for itself. (In theses videos, however, I've simply
programmed the robot to move in random directions.)
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(55s, 2.72Mb) (55s, 272Kb) |
| LCD Display |
With an LCD display, your robots can deliver information to the user without having to
be connected to the PC. The best thing about it, is that it is so easy to use. If you want
to learn how, see my step-by-step LCD tutorial.
The video below shows a simple countdown timer. See the ESRA demo for another application that uses the LCD display.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(15s, 561Kb) (15s, 80Kb) |
| Flame detector |
With an infrared detector, the Mouse robot can be programmed to seek out any IR light source,
including flames and IR soccer balls. (See the robot soccer demo at the top of this page.)
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(14s, 718Kb) (14s, 80Kb) |
| Gripper |
This Gripper is controlled with an unmodified Hi-Tec servo.
To keep the jaws tightly closed, the servo
must be continually pulsed.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(45s, 2.19Mb) (45s, 219Kb) |
| Servo |
This simple demonstration illustrates how a modified servomotor works and how it can
drive the wheels of a robot. (It is important to note that a servo must be electronically
and mechanically modified before it can rotate 360 degrees. (See Chapter 11 in my book for
more details.) Unmodified servos can only rotate about 180 degrees. (See the Gripper demo
for more on unmodified servos.)
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(56s, 2.84Mb) (56s, 284Kb) |
| Onboard LEDs |
The BX-24 microcontroller has two built-in light emitting diodes, or LEDs.
The red LED is permanently connected to pin #25 and the green LED is pin #26.
To turn the red LED on, simply type:
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(18s, 855Kb) (40s, 91Kb) |
| External LEDs |
External devices such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) can easily be controlled by the BX-24.
Here, an external LED is connected to the BX-24 and made to flash in a random manner,
much like the flame of candle would.
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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(16s, 905Kb) (16s, 96Kb) |
| Piezo Buzzer |
External devices such as piezo buzzers and speakers can easily be controlled by the BX-24.
Here, a piezo buzzer is connected to the BX-24 and programmed to produce a simple beeping
noise.
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(19s, 999Kb) (19s, 345Kb) |
| Rocket Payload |
This payload was designed and built by my students and was launched into space
by NASA onboard a Terrier-Orion rocket on October 3, 2003 from Wallops Island
Flight Facility in Virginia. The mission was named SPIRIT II. A BX-24 was used to
monitor and record the payload temperature and the forces of lift-off and
rotation. Students were also in charge of designing, testing, and building
a switch that would automatically turn on the BX-24 once the engines were fired.
The rocket traveled 71 miles into space and reached speeds 4.5 times greater than the speed of sound. The rocket was airborne for 25 minutes. Data from the experiment is shown below. See my press clippings for more details. What?!? You don't have access to a NASA rocket? Get a few helium balloons and measure the temperature 100m above Earth! Make sure it is tethered with a string and let her go! (Physics teachers and students can calculate the lifting force of the balloons, the maximum allowable tension, the altitude at which the balloons will burst, etc. What does the temperature profile look like?
(Click on images to enlarge them.) |
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Coming soon! |
| Brightest Light |
The Mouse robot is equipped with one photoresistor to measure light
intensity and is programmed to be phototropic (light-seeking).
Several light sources are placed around the robot and the robot is then
turned on and slowly rotates 360 degrees. As it spins, the BX-24 analyzes
the received light intensity and remembers which look-angle had the brightest light.
After the 360-degree spin is complete, the robot will quickly rotate
to the brightest look-angle and point at the brightest light.
(Making the Mouse photophobic (light fearing) is an easy modification. In
fact, it can be done with a single jumper.)
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Coming soon! |
| Science Experiments |
Interested in conducting some science experiments without spending tons of money
on commercial laboratory equipment? Perhaps you want to build your own laboratory data
collection station using inexpensive components you can pick up at Radio Shack or even
homemade sensors? If so, you can turn the BX-24 into a mini-laboratory.
This demo shows how the BX-24 can be used as a voltmeter, ammeter, pendulum timer, range finder, radar gun (to measure velocities), conductivity meter, light meter, magnetic field sensor, thermometer, force sensor, rotational motion sensor, heat sensor, etc. The BX-24 can simultaneously measure up to 8 analog signals. The data can be output directly to a computer or to a small LCD panel if you wish to make remote measurements. This handy lab station can also record data for long periods of time (days, for instance) and then download the data back in the lab at a later date. Data can easily be imported into a spreadsheet application such as Excel. To me, this is a very exciting aspect of microcontroller technology.
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Coming soon! |
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Copyright 2006, Chris D. Odom. All Rights Reserved
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