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This will be an ongoing "diary" of the development of the Johnny Robotics platform. Everything, both successes and failures will be posted here in hopes that it may help other people in developing similar appliances and devices. |
Initial post 7/6/2005
Basic lower chassis of unit is now completed, base is approximately 18" X 24" X 24" (l,w,h)
The unit will contain three 12 volt deep discharge gel-cell batteries the same size as lawn/garden tractors use. These batteries are originally designed for use in mobility scooters and power wheelchairs. Two of these batteries will be paralleled to provide logic power and the third battery will provide power for traction drive and servos.
Main processing power is provided by a standard ATX motherboard utilizing a 1.0 Ghz Celeron processor and 512 Mb of Ram. Power for the Motherboard and hard drive are provided by a 12volt ATX power supply. This system runs a modified version of R.A.L.P.H. and provides high level control and intellegence.
Low level control of motors and sensors is managed by two NewMicros ServoPods, one located in the lower chassis and the other in the upper chassis connected by CanBus. The PC Motherboard communicated with the lower ServoPod by RS-232. Main traction is provided by two Windshield wiper motors, each driving a 12 " wheel in a differential steering configuration.
7/20/2005
completed initial inclusion of robotic commands and "positional awareness" in the Ralph kernal. AI components upgraded with engrams for move, turn, go to and other required movement and positional knowledge, beginning testing of these concepts and simulation of output to servopods of proper commands when such instructions are given. working on sensor inclusion in AI.