Our next challenge for the course was by far the most creative project that I have done so far in this course. Our task for this challenge was to use my creativity and ingenuity to design and build a robot that solves a problem. For our robot, we created a robot named “ The 10der”. Its name is an analogy to a bartender or a waiter, and we decided to name the robot with the number 10 to make it seem more robot-like and technological. To build our robot, we incorporated key structures in order to allow it to perform tasks of a bartender.
One key structure that we implemented in our robot was its wheels which had various gear ratios in order for smooth movement of the robot. As seen in the picture below, there are 3 gears which help move the two wheels. The reason as to why we have the same sized gearl is to ensure that there isn't too much torque, as the robot will be dealing with liquid, hence rapid movement can cause a mess. Another key structure that our robot has is the design of the claw. As seen in the following picture, we have a small metal plate, which stands above standoff to create a platform that can be rotated. Above this platform, we have two long channels that are placed parallel to each other in order to create a claw. In the middle of the two channels, we inserted two long shafts, where the lower shaft is attached in a motor that allows for the bottom gear(smaller gear) to rotate, thus allowing the claw to move upwards and downwards. The second shaft is inserted above which has two large gears that help rotate the smaller gear below it, hence this allows for more torque and allows for the claw to move up and down efficiently. The main purpose of the claw is to allow it to perform various tasks similar to a bartender/waiter ranging from pouring water or making tea, thus there is a cupholder placed opposite to the claw. Also, we taped the wires so that it doesn't interfere with the transition of pouring liquid into the cup. To summarize, the claw that is situated on a movable platform allows for left and right movement, and the shafts above the claw allow for a lifting movement.
Gear placement/taped wires
Cortex wiring
Programing:
Due to these capabilities above, we programmed the robot to function like a bartender/waiter which can be seen below. We incorporated a program in which allowed the robot to move accordingly by using the joystick on the VEX controller and by clicking the buttons in the left portion of the controller such as the “R” button which lifts the claw, and the “U” which lowers down the claw. Hence, the robot is able to function like a waiter/bartender. For an example, the robot is able to make tea. The first step is that a tea cup is placed in the cup holder which is located opposite to the claw. Behind the claw, the ingredients for making tea is available, such as sugar,tea bag and a water water inside a small flask. The robot will then rotate backwards and take the packet of sugar (which has already been cut open) and the claw will quickly lift the packet of sugar over the robot and the packet will land into the the teacup, pouring the sugar. Then, the claw will release the empty packet of sugar and grab the hot water placed inside a flask and then it will lift the hot water in the flask and pour it into the teacup. Finally, the robot will then grab the tea bag and put it inside the teacup for 1 minute for the tea to form. In addition, once the tea is made, the robot can personally deliver it to you as it has wheels. Furthermore, it can also perform simple tasks like pouring water,juice etc and also delivering it to you. Hence, the 10der will be able to tend to all your needs!
Here is the 10der doing a simple task like delivering a can of coffee
