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3D Robotics

Let's start an official ArduRover project

Posted by Chris Anderson on January 29, 2011 at 11:00am

3689386931?profile=originalInspired by John Arne's post, I got a Redcat Rockslide, which is totally cool and a great robotics platform. As you can see, it's really easy to add a mounting platform for electronics (that's APM with GPS and Xbee mounted above) and there's LOADS of room. You could even have it carry a laptop if you wanted. BTW, that's the 1/8 size Redcat shown above, which is $236. I think the 1/10 size Redcat would probably be just as good for most uses, and it's just $159. [Update: the 1:10 isn't big enough. See this comparison]

I've registered the ArduRover name, and am now just looking for the best starting point to modify the APM code for ground rovers. Since James Goppert is part of the APM dev team, we'll probably start with his rover code, which you can see at work here. But if others have code or sensor additions to the basic APM set that would be good to add to a rover, this is the place to discuss and share.

 

Ideally, we'll get this done in time for the Sparkfun AVC contest, on the hope that APM can have a decent chance of placing in all of the categories--ground, plane and quad. Which would be awesome.

 

 

 

 

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Comments

  • Developer
    Randy January 29, 2011 at 6:06pm

    Great.  I love that newest video.

     

    We can reuse the arduCopter's Rangefinder library for interfacing with Sonar or more likely the Sharp IR sensors.

     

    With a different lens, I think a mouse sensor could be used for a very accurate ground speed and position (ideally mixed with a GPS but perhaps not 100% required).

     

     

  • John Hutchinson January 29, 2011 at 2:47pm
    Planes would be as cheap as chips if they made them in the same volumes as cars. And if the consequences of breakdowns weren't so serious!
  • T.D. Gonzales January 29, 2011 at 2:24pm
    John: Yea that makes sense. Part of my mind is still applying full sized planes vs cars. The ground navigation is a big problem. Look up Darpa's great race.
  • Developer
    John Arne Birkeland January 29, 2011 at 2:17pm
    T.D.: Construction wise a rock crawler is ALOT more complex then a airplane or quad. Frame suspension, oil filled shock absorbers, motor system with gearing, steering front and back wheels etc.
  • Developer
    John Arne Birkeland January 29, 2011 at 2:09pm

    In the long run we should consider moving the ESC and make room for a custom box fitting the frame, that contain the ardu electronics. It is just a matter of time before you roll the rover. Electronics and wet mud don't mix well.

    I am also seriously considering scrapping the ESC and getting a new one. The constant noise from the cooling fan is driving me crazy.

  • T.D. Gonzales January 29, 2011 at 2:09pm

    No I was thinking about the RC crawler. Yeah it looks like it is built really well and has a lot of design, but it just seems like ground should be cheaper than flight. 

     

    The code for ground is going to be a lot harder though. Well sensors and signal processing is anyway. 

  • Distributor
    Martint BuildYourOwnDrone.co.uk January 29, 2011 at 2:07pm

    Looks like this could be great fun for those days where the wind is a little to strong to fly, kind of like it as a FPDV (first person driving view). APM would be good to have to!

     

  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson January 29, 2011 at 1:58pm
    I made that metal platform in about four minutes, but we could easily make and sell a laser-cut one (probably acrylic). It should cost about $10.
  • T.D. Gonzales January 29, 2011 at 1:47pm
    I'm still having issues with a UGV platform costing more than a UAV platform.
  • Moderator
    Roberto Navoni January 29, 2011 at 1:40pm

    Dear Friends,

    this rover need hybrid quad on it for jump the obstacle .. :)

    This is my old idea ...

     

This reply was deleted.