[Jon] has been developing a slick little RC robot in bits and pieces over the last year or so, which can constructed by anyone with access to a 3D printer. Servos and electronics aside, the entire thing can be put together in short order using the plans he posted on Thingiverse.
The robot makes use of four “caterpillar” type bots, which are all connected via a central frame. Once [Jon] had the general design for a single caterpillar bot down, he moved forward to create the robot you see above. His friend [Julián] lent a hand in the form of electronics and code, which allows the robot to be driven using a standard USB gamepad.
As you can see in the video below, the robot gets around nicely, climbing over obstacles with relative ease. While it is a bit loud, [Jon] says that’s due to the undersized servos they happen to be using at the moment. We think it looks great so far, but [Jon] already has plans to beef up the motors and add wireless control in the near future – we can’t wait to see it then!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54MXA22bOmQ&w=470]
It looks very cool, but I worry about the servos, even if they’re only temporary. They’re not using smoothing to run the legs and it really looks like they’re just going to destroy their motors.
Care to elaborate? I don’t know much about motors and gearing :)
Ahh but can it simultaneously record 4 audio inputs at the same time?!
Oh sorry its a 4 Tracked vehicle! Awesome build.
Now, if stepper motors were used…. then he’d get some audio!… Although that wouldn’t help anything other than that, but it would sound GREAT! :-)
Great build, and a nice job on the controls!
Nice build. I’ve seen the design on thingiverse, its great.
This is a bit like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vityaz_(ATV) or Hagglund BV
That’s a great concept. I’d love to see it taken further and to larger scale.
Its a mini version of a multiped tank from ghost in the shell… holy crap! thank you for making this.