Yup, it now has 2 platforms instead of that plastic truck shell.

Here is a picture to remind you what it looked like

Here are some photos of the building of the dual platform. Its made from lexan, each platform measuring 12"x5.5". Holes were drilled for the spacers and for the pegs that hold the platform to the chassis.

It is still the same old setup (compass, GPS, and my custom board), but i am trying to think of things to add. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment. The compass is mounted on the top deck with a custom bracket made of polymorph plastic.

You might remember the old one, which was just a prototype, this one is much better.

The new really big difference is the vehicle (you can see the name of it on the truck every where). I am pleased with the truck, a lot better than my $20 Rc hummer i was using before. This one has plenty of power to drive up inclines and through grass even though i still would only like to drive it on concrete or asphalt.

Also i made some custom PCBs for this purpose

If your interested in a PCB, i have extras i want to get rid of for $6 and free postage in the USA. If you want one then send me a message.

Here are the parts that go on the board:

• 9.1k 1/6W resistor
• .1uf capacitor
• 16MHZ resonator
• 28 pin DIP IC socket
• GPS connector
• male and female headers
• buzzer
• Arduino 328

I will be working on the code for the next few days. I have ran test code and rough AGV code and my custom board is working fine.

I bought a 3"x 2" x 1" plastic project box from Radio Shack and cut a few different holes for cables to go through. My custom AGV PCB goes inside.

The ESC, servo, and UBEC wires go through a hole in the top of the truck that was meant for the antenna.

The box is attached to the bed of the truck using velcro and the GPS is attached to the box using velcro

Here it is all finished. Just like before, the compass is mounted high in the air away from any magnetic interference from the electronics and motor.

I will post some video hopefully next week.

Parts list:

• RBBB Arduino
• LCD
• Joystick
• Joystick Breakout Board
• 5 Push Buttons
• 2200mah lipo
• Sliding Potentiometer (plus the knob)
• Rotary Potentiometer
• 2 Xbees (longer range ones are probably better)
• 2 Xbee Adapters
• Radio Shack Project Box
• Wii nunchuck
• Power regulator (custom built)

It is programmed on the side via a FTDI cable. The lipo's charging cable comes out of the top so it can be charged without having to open up the controller.

This custom controller allows for more options and modes than a normal, off of the shelf controller.

Some modes and features might include:

• RC mode
• GPS waypoint mode
• Sending new GPS cordinates
• Return to home (back track of GPS waypionts)
• RC mode with Compass assistance (like keep on x heading)
• Kill switch
• Adjustment during GPS waypoint mode
• Speed control via sliding pot
• And so much more....

Update 5.20.10

video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDOL6O9PQzc

This idea came to me in math class when i was talking to one of my friends about this robot.

So whats new? BUTTONS!

I added 2 buttons. The one on the right is for storing waypoints. Now all i have to do is push the button and it stores the current location as a waypoint. This is done to store all the waypoints. There is also a LED that lights up to show that it is storing a waypoint. When you are done storing waypoints, then push the left button and the AGV drives the waypoint path. So no more must i lug my laptop around and read the serial monitor, write down the gps points, upload the gps points to the arduino. I now just push these little buttons which i took from a old rc controller from a cheap toy. When i am able to test this at my test site, i will add a better video of it driving in the comments below so be on the look out for it.

Here is the full post on my AGV from start to finish