Radio Controlled Nerf Tank
posted Apr 23rd 2009 8:33am by Caleb Kraftfiled under: robots hacks
[Travis7s] has built this giant Nerf Tank. Featuring Radio controls, a web cam, laser sights, and the ability to play music, this thing is pretty awesome. He’s using the Nerf Vulcan rifle, temporarily modified with a servo for remote firing. This thing is pretty huge, as you can see from the video, it sits about as high as the seat cushions of the chairs in his house. The sound system is an amplifier and some speakers hooked up to an iPod. This thing could use a nice coat of paint to make it a little more menacing and a little less Nerf. What it really needs though, is the ability to play sounds from a sound board. Imagine the Imperial March as it enters a room, or maybe a sound board with appropriate insults and phrases for the onslaught.
While I do applaud the inventor on his efforts, there are a couple of nits to pick, ok, well one major one and one “If I had the funds to do it… “..
The major nitpick is: “What? No tilt??” I think the use of the vulcan is a win, along with the wireless camera and the laser pointer, but without a tilt mechanism (another 24v gearmotor could have been used for a nice tilt/pan setup.)
The other nitpick which is really minor is the ipod interface. With a few parts, I’m sure it would be easy to work in a “pause/unpause” routine into the remote control protocol. The assault isn’t really a surprise attack if the enemy can hear you over a loud TV set. My idea is to startle them to hell by blasting heavy metal then let fly with the foam.. :P
Either that or I really need an engineering degree. Still, mad props on the design and the implelentation, and if you’re still with your girlfriend mad props to her for putting up with your crap. :P I know my girlfriend would either kill me or plan her own assault with a pair of mavericks we have about the apartment.