Raspberry Pi based Rover

thingiverse

This is a Raspberry Pi based remote rover we designed for our Explorer post project this year. It utilizes a Raspberry Pi 2, an inexpensive webcam, and a WiFi module to create a web browser controllable remote rover. The Raspbery Pi camera is also supported. Power is supplied by an Adafruit boost/charger supply from a single LiPo cell. The tank treads and drive system are from Tamiya. A BOM with links is included. I would like to thank my friend Victor for all his help and inspiration on this project! Print Settings Printer Brand: MakerBot Printer: MakerBot Replicator 1 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: .3mm layer height Infill: 25%, 2 extra shells Instructions Parts The included file parts.pdf is a list of the parts needed, along with costs and web links. The only parts not on the list are the LiPo battery. Any battery of at least 1AH should do, and a 50mm 8ohm speaker. Assembly There are assembly instructions for the gearbox in the files. I found the included instructions a bit hard to follow. The gearbox is setup for the highest ratio. The chassis is built using the #2x1/2" screws. I will try to put together some instructions for that going forward, but it's pretty simple. The file "Raspberry_Pi2_pinouts_v9.pdf" shows the electrical connections between the Pi and the speed controller. The motor power comes straight from the battery. An updated doc showing the boost board and audio amp is in the works. The prototype used an LM386 based amp, but Adafruit has a much better option which is listed in the BOM. It is also powered right off the battery. The "TestStand.stl" file is a stand to let you run the bot motors with the treads off the ground so it stays put while your testing it. Software The attached file "setup.pdf" describes the setup of the Pi. It assumes you have a micro SD card with the OS image loaded. We used Jessie lite. The software in the zip file includes ServoBlaster for running the motors as well as mjpg-streamer for supporting the webcam or a Raspberry Pi camera. The web server was modified to let it control the bot via buttons on the web page. There is also a voice menu system that uses espeak to allow you to shutdown/reboot the bot, and also get the current IP address and switch the WiFi from client mode to AP mode. All with just one button. The operation of the menu system is documented in "menuchart.pdf" In addition, text strings can be entered in the web page for the bot to say. A version of the software that runs ROS is in the works.