The Rat Pack The motorized supercool lab rat
The Rat Pack The motorized, super-cool lab rat Kirk Acklin Scott Carpenter Douglas Johnson Mike Li
Overview ► The Project/Objectives ► Component Layout ► Cost ► Marketability ► Play by Play progress ► Division of Labor ► Risk/Contingency Plans ► Wrap up
Project/Objectives Essentials Description: The Lab Rat is a micro-controller motorized maze navigating machine. The rat will be able to traverse a maze either using an built-in algorithm or following IR checkpoints within the maze. The Lab Rat will also follow a user. Lab rat will traverse mazes using the following methods § “Left hand” algorithm § Infrared Tracking of checkpoints within maze ► Lab rat will store its path within onboard memory ► Lab rat will follow a user wearing IR Transmitter ►
Project/Objectives Upgrades ► Possible “upgrades” § Audio Tracking § Return path stored in memory via RF Transmitter § Some sort of cool “gun-like” attachment for shooting things § Rat could return through maze and reactivate checkpoints
Project/Objectives Applicaitons As is: ► Educational Applications Future Generations: Civilian Applications § Surveying / Exploration ► Military Applications § Scouting / Reconnaissance § Unmanned Operations ►
Vehicle/Sensor Control
Retrieving Maze Layout
Overall System Diagram
Cost ► Board Development ► Prototype ► Transmitters ► Presentation/Expo NOTE: total cost determined from low-end and high-end estimates. *Indicates possible costs contribute to high -end cost.
Cost Board Development($22/$72): · Circuit Board = $22 · Circuit Components – chips, socket and wires ~ free from Capstone within reason (*contigent $50)
Prototype($98/$278): Cost · Manufactured Board – must buy in quantity 4 = 4 @ ~$40 = ~$160 · Sensors / Transimitters & Receivers($2/$53) o Collision / Object Detection Sensors ~ $1 - $52 Bumper sensor $1 *IR rangefinder $23 - $26 *Flex - $18 *Ultrasonic rangefinder $30 - $52 http: //www. robotstorehk. com/sensor. html o IR receivers ~ $1 IR receivers and transmitters are both $1 http: //www. robotstorehk. com/sensor. html http: //www. robotstore. com/ o Serial RF Link ~ free from Capstone (*contingent $30)
Cost Prototype($98/$278) contd. : · Materials($68/$78) o Lexan Sheet - (1/8”-1/4”) stock dependent on thickness ~$5 - $10 o Stepper Motors ~ $50 Motor ~ ? ? , Controller implemented in logic o Wheel – 2 simple, 1 universal ~ 2@~$5 + 1@~$3 = ~$13 model wheels 13/8” to 23/4 $3. 95 to $4. 95 internet http: //www. modelflight. com. au/accessories_wheels. htm casters vary greatly small simple caster $2. 10 on internet http: //www. acecasters. com/products/lightduty&small. html http: //www. servicecaster. com/catalog_online. htm
Cost Prototype($98/$278) contd. : · Power($8/$50) o Solar Panels ~ $20 *3 flexible panels http: //www. robotstore. com/ -AND/OR- o Batteries ~ $8 - $30 battery packs starting at $7. 99 to ~$30, phone battery $19. 99 http: //www. megabatteries. com/ · Fasteners / Hardware ~ $20 · *Specialty Tools ~ $20 · Googley Eyes ~ $1
Cost Transmitters ($48): · Belt/Beacons ~ 6@$8 ~ $48 o IR transmitters ~ $1 o Power source ~ $2 o Hardware – wiring, fasteners, etc. $5 Presentation/Expo ($55): · Maze – foamboard ~ $15 · User Manuel / Technical Data – printing and binding ~ $40
Cost Wrap-up
Marketability Current Generation ► Educational § High School § College Future Generations ► Civilian Uses ► Military Uses
Return on Investment ► Price per unit -- $100. 00 ► Expect to sell -- 1000 ► Selling price -- $350. 00 ► Net Profit -- $250, 000. 00 ► Money would be made with future generations
Play by Play CDR § Thursday, 9 October ► Milestone 1 § Thursday, 30 October § Each subsystem running independently § Processor fully running code beyond NOP ► Milestone 2 § Thursday, 20 November § Layout finished § Build maze § Test final code ► Expo § Thursday, 4 December § All done ►
Play by Play (cont)
Division of Labor ► Kirk Acklin § Sensor Design and Floating Construction ► Scott Carpenter § Tech Writer and Programmer ► Douglas Johnson § Locomotion System and Floating Construction ► Mike Li § Processor Implementation
Risk/Contingency Plans ► Fall behind on schedule § Descope non-critical project functions § Keep all designs at simplest level and add difficulty only upon completion ► Much of the technology is unfamiliar § If we fall behind on one, keep pushing the rest ahead § If we’re unable to figure it out one way, try other methods ► Issues with RF link § Permanent tether ► Issues with recording the path § Send data over RF link to store on laptop ► Unable to achieve battery power source § Use tethered power source ► Fail PDR § Staple a nice bribe to the user’s manual
Wrap Up ► The Project/Objectives ► Component Layout ► Cost ► Marketability ► Play by Play progress ► Division of Labor ► Risk/Contingency Plans
QUESTIONS? ? ?
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