R2-IQ: Movement

Build Day 12:

Over the weekend, I made up some legs and feet.  They are by no means the final legs, but I have the length, and some test feet.  It appears to be pretty stable.

Here's one of my first attempts to move the body. via remote control.  I let it get too fast...

And a longer video of the body moving around in 2 leg mode. 

When it's complete, it will normally have three feet on the ground when it drives.  But it looks like it will be pretty stable standing and possibly moving when in 2-leg mode.

R2-IQ: Complete Body

Build Day 9:

I built the skin of the body last night.  I will have to build a bit of frame to connect the arms and 3rd leg together, but the inside will be mostly empty.

I used a large number of yellow pieces left over from Qonnect 4 and a lot of 90 degree connectors, to make the round shape.  It looks pretty good, but will still need plenty of decoration.

In my shipment, I received 12 packs of pins.  I've already opened six of them.  Not sure if I will need to order more, but my guess is that I will.

The whole body is very light.  I'm easily able to lift it with one hand.

I made a mockup of the leg to see exactly how it would fit, and the size.  It's looking pretty good.

R2-IQ: 1/4 Body

Build Day 8:

Normally, with a project like this I tend to keep them under wraps until the big reveal.  That protects me, in case it fails.  With this one, I'm trying to post progress as it happens.

So far, so good.

Last night (after coaching the middle school robotics team and Kurt's soccer team) I built 1/4 of the body.  I expect to have the whole body skin, with no features, built tonight.

R2-IQ: Parts Received

Build Day 7:

I received two boxes of parts today for my R2-IQ build.  One was 11 lbs, and the other was 22 lbs.  

After a bit of sorting and counting, I verified that the shipment included everything I was expecting.

The only real new parts (for me) are the Mecanum wheels, which I plan to use as the main drive wheel[s] on the front (third) leg.  Hopefully, with two opposite-direction wheels mounted together, it should act like a powered caster wheel that can drive any direction.  I still have to work out the exact size of the feet/wheels. 

Tonight I'll start snapping panels together and get a mockup of the body and really start to see how it will look.

R2-IQ: Some real building

R2-IQ Day 6:

I spent some time over the weekend building with actual plastic parts.  So far I'm trying to see how to build the body and head, without using so many parts the whole thing can't be lifted.

I don't yet have a good idea how much this will weigh.  My first shipment of parts (which I thought would include everything) is only 2 boxes, and weighs just under 11 lbs.

That can't be right.  I must have missed something.  This is my first parts list.  I'm planning on using a few items I already have.  Will it be enough?

Quantity	Part Number	Description
1	228-2500	Super Kit
1	276-1447	4" Mecanum Wheel (4-pack)
30	228-3871	4x Plate Foundation Add-On Pack (White)
10	228-3515	4x Plate Foundation Add-On Pack (base)
10	228-3718	4x Plate Foundation Add-On Pack (Blue)
4	228-3695	4x Plate Base Pack (Blue)
2	228-3865	2x Beam Base Pack (White)
1	228-2532	Gear Add-On Kit
1	228-4420	Long Shaft Add-On Pack
1	228-3057	Shaft Add-On Kit
1	228-2523	Wheel Add-On Kit
1	228-2534	Chain & Sprocket Kit (Base)
1	228-4415	Large Plate Add-On Pack (Base)
10	228-3058	Connector Pin Pack (Base)
4	228-2560	Smart Motor
4	228-4034	Smart Motor Mount Add-On Pack
1	228-4422	Long Smart Cable (8-pack)

Head and body shape 

Here are a couple actual builds of the head and body shape.  I think it will look pretty good once it's complete and covered with white and blue...

Pieces of the robot

There are many separate parts to this project, that will all need to be combined for it to be complete.  This list will help me think through everything.

1. Body
1. Internal structure
2. Head
1. Head Movement
3. Arms (2x)
1. Stationary setup
2. Shoulders
3. Shoulder sensors to detect orientation
4. 3rd Leg
1. Raise & lower
5. Motor layout for navigation
6. Navigation software (remote and other control)
7. Lights & Sounds
1. Basic lights
2. Advanced Lights & Sounds (alternate processor?)
8. Extra compartments
1. Magnets to hold doors closed

R2-IQ - Starting the build

Building R2-IQ

I've been given the green light to build an R2-D2 out of VEX IQ.  The current working name is R2-IQ, and my target completion date is 50 days from now, on December 18, 2015.

The plan is to build a full-sized astromech that can be driven by remote control, and has the ability to switch between standing on 2 legs to 3 legs and back to 2 legs.  It will be able to drive when on 3 legs.  I haven't decided if I want it to drive when on two legs.

The Body

The first challenge is creating the shape of the body.  I tried out a couple ideas in SnapCAD (VEX cad software) to see where I got the best round shape.

My first try was image #2.  The shape and size were very good (the body is just over 18" in diameter) however when I went to build it, I realized the pieces on the skin would not fit, because they were overlapping by about 1/2 inch.  (silly drawing mistake)

The second version (#17) was the perfect shape, but not the best size.  This version has about a 21" diameter.

Version #3 (image #1) has a less-perfect shape, but a better average diameter.  (~18.5")  This one will be a little harder to build, because of how some of the pieces will overlap.


I think the slightly larger diameter body will actually take less pieces internally, but I haven't decided, yet, if I want the better shape, or closer diameter.

Preparing Super Robo Rally for Gen Con

As Gen Con approaches, we're making some final tweaks to upgrades to Super Robo Rally.

This year, we have a new system in place that allows players to use the web browser in a wifi-enable device to program the robots.

In addition, we have acquired 10 smartphones to be used in the new system.

The custom web interface can be seen here

We're all looking forward to seeing how it turns out...