MiniBot - a toy robot with arm for Office fun

prusaprinters

Meet MiniBot, the quirky office companion that's more than just a pretty face! Assembled from refurbished parts with the heart of a champion, MiniBot is here to add a touch of innovation to your desk.Need a hand with that pesky Jenga game at lunch? MiniBot's here. Want to impress your coworkers with a little mechanical flair? Just fire up MiniBot's mobile-controlled arm, and let the fun begin. But beware, MiniBot's got personality – it might reboot itself just to keep you on your toes.With its dual 18650 batteries, MiniBot doesn't just run on electricity; it thrives on enthusiasm. And those 9g servos? They're not tiny; they're fun-sized! Sure, MiniBot might make a strange noise or two (it's just clearing its throat), but that's all part of its charm.Cheap, beautiful, and simple to build, MiniBot is the innovative little office buddy that proves that size isn't everything. Whether you're in need of a high-five or just a laugh, MiniBot's got you covered. Just don't ask it to do your taxes; it's still working on that part.But that's not all! MiniBot comes with its very own WiFi network. Just connect to "MiniRobot" using the password "12345678," and you'll have control right at your fingertips. Whether you're on a desktop or mobile device, you can direct MiniBot's every move through a simple web interface.Now, a word to the wise: MiniBot's servos are like fine wine; they prefer to be enjoyed slowly. Move them too fast, and they might get a little cranky (and we wouldn't want that). So take your time, savor the experience, and let MiniBot's graceful, slow-motion dance entertain you and your office mates.Remember, MiniBot is not just a robot; it's an office companion with feelings (well, sort of). Treat it with care, enjoy its quirks, and it will be the talk of the office in no time. After all, who wouldn't want a little robotic charm on their desk?Parts:NodeMCU board (Wemos D1 mini will work also), but the chassis is designed for NodeMCUDC motor driver (any 2A driver will do. I used a mini Pololu driver that was sitting around. This driver has no Enable pins so the code takes care of this when controlling the speed)2 dc motors (I used some refurbished N20)TP4056 to recharge the batteries2x 18650 batteries connected in parallelvarious screws and wires - usually what you have around will do2 charity wrist bands for the tracksthe printed parts2 9g servosa step-up converter to boost the 4.2v of the batteries to at least 6v for Servos and Vin of the NodeMCUthe DC motors I connected directly to the batteries - they don't need too much voltagethe arm joints are made from small segments of 1.75 filament, warmed at the ends to kind of rivet themThe code can be downloaded from here:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1khezJapVNjAddHtaFkNVcRbl3aaSwAot?usp=sharing