... by the next subsystem, the remote control system.
R
EMOTE
C
ONTROL
S
YSTEM
The ability to remotely control your robot is a big part of its
appeal. The two types of remote control are wired and ... to build robots at home began to appear.
These books, however, were very technical, showing how to
build computer -controlled mobile platforms that are consid-
ered by most to be true robots.
My ... robots.
My interest in robots leaned more toward the popular con-
cept of robots as humanlike friends and servants. I did not
have the technical skill or funds to build a computer -controlled
robot,...
... Universal Robots) by Karl Capek. Written in
1921, the play depicts a race of humanoid robots that turn on
their masters and destroy them, a theme that seems always to be
associated with robots. ... auto-
mated device and the sophisticated computer -controlled
xii
I
NTRODUCTION
FIGURE I-1. The robots of the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal
Robots) attack their human masters. (Courtesy of New ... platform look bet-
T
HE
M
OTORIZED
P
LATFORM
11
FIGURE 1-11. Castor wheel attachment.
BUILD A
REMOTE-
CONTROLLED
ROBOT
BODY FRAMEWORK
Q
uestor’s body is made from five 8-foot ϫ 1-inch ϫ 1-inch...
... pro-
vided by the next subsystem, the remote control system.
REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
The ability to remotely control your robot is a big part of its
appeal. The two types of remote control are wired and ... robots.
My interest in robots leaned more toward the popular con-
cept of robots as humanlike friends and servants. I did not
have the technical skill or funds to build a computer -controlled
robot, ... to build robots at home began to appear.
These books, however, were very technical, showing how to
build computer -controlled mobile platforms that are consid-
ered by most to be true robots.
My...
...
REMOTE-
CONTROLLED
ROBOT
CHAPTER FOUR. REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM 53
Motherboard 57
Wiring the Motherboard 60
Completing the Motherboard 62
Installing and Wiring the Motherboard 63
Using the Remote ... to build robots at home began to appear.
These books, however, were very technical, showing how to
build computer -controlled mobile platforms that are consid-
ered by most to be true robots.
My ... robots.
My interest in robots leaned more toward the popular con-
cept of robots as humanlike friends and servants. I did not
have the technical skill or funds to build a computer -controlled
robot,...
... except for the remote
control system, are powered by a 12-volt dc battery system.
Questor can be controlled by either a control box connected to
the base by a cable or a wireless remote control ... Universal Robots) by Karl Capek. Written in
1921, the play depicts a race of humanoid robots that turn on
their masters and destroy them, a theme that seems always to be
associated with robots. ... auto-
mated device and the sophisticated computer -controlled
xii INTRODUCTION
FIGURE I-1. The robots of the play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal
Robots) attack their human masters. (Courtesy of New...
... 1-5. Completed motorized wheel.
xxx
FIGURE I-21.
Can you name this robot? (
Courtesy of American Robots. )
have a strong vise, don’t attempt to drill the holes yourself.
A local metal shop or ... wheel.
xxxi
FIGURE I-22.
Does this alternate head design look familiar? (
Courtesy of American Robots. )
wheels and insert its frame post into one of the 3/4-inch
holes in the platform. Then...
... 6-volt batteries.
You will find as I did that most of the motors, lights, and some
electronics for robots require a 12-volt system; the temporary
control box is just that. Controls in the box switch ... at the center of the rear edge of the robot’s platform.
It will be removed later for use in the remote control system.
WIRING PLATFORM
Now that the power supply and barrier strips are mounted...
... give you an understand-
ing of remote control systems.
52 CHAPTER THREE
54 CHAPTER FOUR
FIGURE 4-1. Three-channel remote control system.
FIGURE 4-2. Leaf switch.
REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM 55
The ... layout.
REMOTE CONTROL
SYSTEM
W
ireless control has always seemed to fascinate people,
and Questor’s remote control system is the heart of his
appeal. While the technical aspects of remote control ... grasp, Questor’s remote control
system is rather simple in construction. Before I go into detail
on how the system is comprised, a brief explanation of remote
control is in order.
A remote control...
... checked, the remote control receiver can
be mounted and the motherboard mounted in Questor’s
framework.
REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM 61
FIGURE 4-8. Motherboard wiring diagram.
USING THE REMOTE CONTROL ... you use
the remote control system, a small price to pay for wireless
control. As I noted before, if your remote control system has a
third channel and thus a third servo, you could remotely con-
trol ... for the remote control system
can be mounted to the motherboard. Figure 4-4 shows where
to mount these components. With all components mounted,
the next step is to wire them together.
REMOTE CONTROL...
... paint the metal skin and
add the robot’s serving tray. Before the skin can be attached,
Questor’s remote control (RC) system, drink dispenser, and
arms must be removed. Be sure that you remove the ... and wiring.
The drink dispenser is held in place using four 1-inch
angles like those used in the remote control system. There
are four predrilled holes in the framework to accept the
angles that ... wires running the length of the arm,
one that runs down the framework to the barrier strips on
the remote control board.
After the dispenser is wired in place, it must be tested.
Place a small amount...