Making a Valli robot

Translator's note: the robot is awesome smart! Be sure to watch the video under the cut!

The first small introduction is here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJiMUzJHYFk
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I started with the Interactive WallI. The current price for toys'r'us is $ 34.99.

I am interested in robots and I have a lot of experience in programming and design to give robots emotions and life. The first advice I can give you is to be sure. The second tip is to be creative. Use them together, and your mind will do the rest for you :)

The stores have many spare parts available. My workshop is nothing special . I try to buy those parts that are cheaper. Sometimes I disassemble other toys because servos are, unfortunately, the most expensive of all parts :)

I use cable ties for fasteners, as well as small screws, bolts and gadgets. All are available in cheap build kits at a local store.

To change the hulls, I use the Dremel tools, and sometimes my soldering iron, to melt the plastic. When grinding, please keep a vacuum cleaner nearby. Caution: When smelting, keep the window with the fan open!

In addition, if you decide to melt plastic, please use a separate soldering iron tip.

Now about the software part ... In fact, it is very simple. I program my robots using the EZ-Robot Project and the EZ-B EZ-B Robot Controller. They require almost no programming. You can simply connect servos and control the robot from your PC. It also contains voice recognition and a bunch of other useful things. You can get them here: http://www.ez-robot.com .

Here is a video with VALLI in action ...



And here is a nice video where VallI fell, chasing his own ball :)



Here's another old video of my first version

Step 1. Materials

Well, I hope you found a good place to get started. The table should be such that it is not a pity to burn / scratch / stain it (Simply put, do not use your dining table!)

Here is a list of things I used ...

• 1 EZ-B with SDK or EZ-Builder software
  www.ez-robot.com
• 2 servo drives for transmission
  www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=114
• 1 standard servo for head (left and right movement)
  www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=878
• 2 hand servos (up and down movement)
  www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=863
• 1 servo on head tilt
  www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=862
• 2 analog distance sensors
  www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=88
• Multiple 3-wire cables
  www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=690
• 1 drawer of screws / bolts / nuts
  Available at local hardware store
• Glue thermogun
  Available in hobby stores
• 1 bottle of super-glue (probably, we will have this glue "Moment" - approx. Transl.)
  Or any other good plastic glue
• 1 soldering iron
  I use temperature-controlled soldering irons, which are expensive but recommended in this case. Sometimes you can meet them in online stores.
• 1 set of watch screwdrivers
  They are usually sold in plastic boxes with a transparent top.

Step 2. Disassemble the toy

Using a screwdriver, disassemble the toy. Remember where it was, because we will need to collect it back.

Note: Do not disassemble the eyes.

Step 3. Hands

You need to mount the servos on the top of the toy case. This will be your first body modification.

The photo shows how the servo wheel and the original mechanism are installed.

Use Dremel to cut the plastic at the ends. Make sure you use low speed.

“I used a glue gun to create a beautiful, tight fit for servo drives.”

- I made two tiny holes in the plastic to tighten the screws for reliability.

Installing hands on servos is a little more difficult. I do not have a clear picture of how I did it.

In addition, when you understand how to mount your arm, make sure that the servo and hands are in a central position. Because the servo does not rotate 360 ​​degrees.

Step 4. Installing the head and neck

The neck will be mounted on the servo GWS standard. This will allow her to move left and right.

Note: Like the hands, the servo should be centered;)

I used the Dremel combination with a soldering iron to smooth the neck adapter. I melted 3 small holes to install the screws on the servo.

To install the servo and bracket on your head, you will need to make a larger hole.

At first, I secured my neck with cable ties, but then I put the bolt and nut in place.

Step 5. Drive. Part 1

Now let's give VallI wheels!

The toy has no engines or transmissions. So you have to make it yourself.

Bending and turning the wheels to the metal axis breaks away. I ended up using Dremel and cutting most plastic parts. In any case, you want the wheels inside to be flat, so don't worry :)

Now we are going to just pull the cap on the wheels from the center. This will pull out the screw. After that, the wheels will fall apart.

If any part of the servo sticks out, cut it off using the Dremel tool.

On both sides the same thing ... Look at the photo :)

Step 6. Drive. Part 2

Ok, now we will mount the transmission to the body.

Take a close look at the picture to see how much to cut.

Best in this step is not to rush. I use a marker to chart where to cut.

After attach the servos with a mounting bracket. After glue them with hot glue.

To securely attach the servos, I used cable ties.

Step 7. Distance sensor

I believe that you want your Walli to see.

I installed a distance sensor on his neck with the help of Dremel.

The wires that go together in the sensor are very small and easily broken. I replaced them with 3-wire cables, which were discussed in the first step.

Step 8. Tilt the head

Nothing makes Valli more alive than turning the head. This adds certain features to his personality.

I connected both parts of the eyes so that they rotate together. But you can not do that to VallI looked a little funnier (and more terrible - approx. Transl.)

NOTE: Do not attempt to move this tiny servo manually! You break the plastic gears inside. Believe me, I already broke them once, trying to do that.

Step 9. Programming

This part is not the most difficult because I use the EZ-Robot Project. This is a robot controller board that connects to the computer via Bluetooth. The board comes with software called EZ-Builder. The software allows you to control the robot without the need to program. You can also add many other features, including voice recognition.

Here are some links to get you started ...

EZ-Builder: www.ez-robot.com/EZ-Builder

Additional modules: www.ez-robot.com/Add-Ons

Answer Form: www.ez-robot.com/Community/Forum

How to work with servo: www.ehow.com/how-does_4970258_how-servo-motor-works.html

Step 10. Your robot!

My WallI creates two-dimensional maps of objects around it. This prevents him from getting stuck or bumping into anything. This is implemented very difficult.

In addition, his movements are not random, but depend on what is happening. I did all this on the basis of many years of observation and programming.

Step 11. Battery

My WallI consumes very much energy because it has 6 servos and microcontrollers.

Due to size limitations, I was limited to a small battery.

My choice fell on the LION battery at 2000mha 7.4 volts. This battery gives my Valli about 60 minutes of life without recharging.

Step 12. Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy your new robot. For more information about my projects and robots, visit my website www.dj-sures.com/robots

Bye Bye!
DJ