Rodney the skateboarding robot :: Robotics

Rodney the skateboarding robotMy project is Rodney, the robot skateboard, targeted at kids who want a placidskateboard accessory, and parents who would most likely buy one for their kids. Similardesigns are a handle-like device with wheels that pulls a skateboard or roller skates, andthe Segway.I invite studied these designs, and a brief history of skateboards to better myunderstanding of how to make my robot work.The first design has a forward/reverse options for the motors and is turned byturning the board or roller skates. It is practically just a way to use the skateboard withoutusing much energy.Segway Human Transporter (HT) offer self-balance because of a technologycalled dynamic stabilization. Dynamic Stabilization works by using solid-stategyroscopes, tilt sensors, high-speed microprocessors, and powerful electric motorsperforming to carry it balanced.The skateboard originally in the 50s was conceived as a way to surf on land,whenever there was bad surfing weather. It sta rted out as roller skates nailed to a woodenbase. Then a bicycle company in the early 70s built better boards with flexible mounts forthe wheel axis, and thus was born the modern skateboard, with cargo deck tape for moremaneuverability and painted designs and logos on the bottom of the board.Rodney is a two-part robot, one is the controller for Rodney and the other isRodney himself, the maneuverable part. The controller consists of flat platforms with cardinal walls of beam pieces. It has a RCX 2.0, and three touch sensors. The Rodney alsoRodneyBeta the skateboarding robothas an RCX 2.0 and four motors in a car-like design. He has beams and panel piecesconnecting the motors together for additional stability.Rodney was lucky at pushing my skateboard forward, reverse, and eventurning. He could move the skateboard by itself at around 5mph and slightly less withadded weight. The maximum weight that it put up hold is about 2lbs. The remote controllerhas a range of around 10fts, and wh en it is out of range Rodney continues doing the samefunction that it was doing previously. I found that sometimes wheels whitethorn fall of Rodney,and occasionally he slides out from under my skateboard.I see that the alpha form of Rodney can that at least three forms, one universe the