Randall Bot

XKCD shows a comic of an autonomous hamster ball. This will be that ball.

Norse

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Description

Ever wanted a pet but not want to clean up after it? The aim of this project is to create a mess free pet with a raspberry pi and a homemade wireless camera.

Details

I've seen others on this site create what they claim to be like the xkcd 'new pet', but I have never seen one that is not remote controlled, and none of them have any vision or sensor base. Instead, they throw a robot into a ball. While impressive, it isn't what Randall envisioned with his comic #413. To that end, this project aims to do the following:

1. Have a vision system that can processes images

2. Have a robot that can roll around inside a ball

3. Have the robot be autonomous (or semi autonomous) by responding to voice commands, gps, and vision.

This log is going to be the log for the build of point one above. When completed, I will begin point two and link to a new project.

Due to the fact that I am both working and going to school, this is going to take some time. If you are looking for something that is going to be finished fast, this isn't the place. The time frame on this camera portion of the project is about a year.

Components

1 × OV7670 A cheap cmos camera module from ebay. It has next to no documentation
2 × nRF24L01+ Wireless communications (for prototype)
1 × Raspberry Pi Model B Receiver and image processor. Arduino Mega should also work.
1 × Teensy 3.1 Interface between OV7670 and the nRF24L01+ along with some basic processing
1 × Wireless power module 5v wireless power from ebay

View all 6 components

Project Logs

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Updated
Norse • 01/20/2015 at 17:47 • 0 comments

I know that I haven't updated this in a while. The camera portion of the project has stalled due to working on a Senior Design Project that also uses vision. However, other portions of the robot have made some progress. I added a link where the current build log can be accessed. It can also be seen here:
https://sites.google.com/site/engineeredbyluck/home/for-fun-projects/hamsterballai
A Starting Point
Norse • 06/27/2014 at 16:37 • 0 comments

This being the first post, let me bring you up to speed on where I am at right now. I have at last received all the parts needed to make the build. I have tested the wireless power module, and it appears to be able to drive all the components. I have been reading up on the OV7670, and now it is time to hook up the Teensy 3.1 and the OV7670 and try and program them to output an image to my computer over a wired serial connection. As of right now, the goal is the end of August 2014

View all 2 project logs

Build Instructions

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1

Step 1

Acquire all necessary parts. (Completed)
2

Step 2

Populate and test at least two boards. This is going to be a lengthy process.
3

Step 3

With the last step done, make note of any changes and breath a sigh of relief that the board works as expected. Now move on to the next sub project in the hamster ball saga.