Now, there is. Presenting the remote-controlled Lego Missile Launcher:
It both steers and fires remotely, using two IR remote-control sets (one for left and right wheels, one for the launcher). There's another motor channel still left, which could be used to control the elevation of the launchers, or for a second launcher.
Here's a front view of the launcher, showing one of the IR receivers and the gearing for the wheel motors:
Here's a picture of just the launcher assembly. When the motor turns the worm gear, it slowly rotates the camshaft. Each of the cams triggers one of the missile launchers.
Since the cams can be positioned in four different ways on the axle, it's possible to add two more launchers outside the adjustable angle supports, firing out of phase with the two interior launchers.
Next, I'm tempted to rebuild it using Lego Mindstorms, and program it to seek and destroy targets on its own...
Next, I'm tempted to rebuild it using Lego Mindstorms, and program it to seek and destroy targets on its own...
I will state a more involved problem. Controlling the robot using gesture (HCI). I had done it in grad school using wavelet transforms, but simple signal processing tools can be used to accomplish it.
ReplyDeleteFYI:
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/groups/cue/muci/
I am not sure which microcontroller you are using. Also, just out of curiosity, why are you using IR instead of RF?
All in all, very cool project and very cool blog, whenever i get time, I am going to follow it.
I used IR since that was what I had at the time. If I rebuilt it now, I'd be tempted to use Mindstorms and have it find its own targets. With the ultrasonic sensor, it should be able to fire when the targets are at the right range.
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