Things that are Sexy, Part One

My 2.007 robot.

To those on facebook: to see all of the video, you may need to click "original post" link on the bottom of the page

My 2.007 robot is a sexy beast. It picks up codices and puts them on the third step of a four-step, 19" pyramid.
The codices are the little book-like things on the ground, made up of five 5"x5" accordion-folding cardboard. By putting a codex on the pyramid steps, I get points.

The robot can also get points by moving the lever on the center of the playing floor. The lever is connected to the feathered serpent "Quetzalcoatl" at the top. Rotating the lever rotates the snake. By rotating the snake, I can multiply my score by 2, 3, or 4 times.

My robot has an arm with a claw at the end connected by a four-bar mechanism so that the claw remains parallel to the floor. (The picture on the right is a foam-cor mock-up). The arm base reaches 15" from the ground, and the arm itself is another 15" long. With the added 6" or so of the claw, the robot can reach pretty far.

The chassis has three sides--left, right, and back--with four wheels. Two of the wheels are driven by continuous-rotation servos. The other two wheels are casters.

The claw has two fingers. Sexy, sexy fingers. One finger remains stationary and connects to the arm. The second finger, rotates so that the claw can open to grab codices.

Generally speaking, the claw stays shut. This is thanks to the help of a compression spring mounted an inch behind the rotation point. The claw will be forced closed, even if nothing is driving the rotating finger. That means that when a codex is in the claw, I won't have to worry about dropping it in the event of a power or data loss. Sexy.

Also sexy: not only does my robot give codices to the feathered serpent god. It looks like a serpent. Oh yeah.

To open the claw, a paperclip is attached to a point on the rotating finger and to a servo mounted to the stationary finger. When the servo rotates, it causes the claw to open. The robot can then move forward and grasp a codex. When power/signal is severed from the serve, the spring acts to close the arm and hold onto the codex.

The two pieces that actually touch the codex are 3" x 3.5" foam-cor with small screws extruding from each corner to gently press up against the soft cardboard codex, holding it tightly in its grip. Oohhh. That's hot.

The video below demonstrates the claw opening and closing under the power of the servo-spring system. Watch as it repeatedly opens and closes. Over and over again. The back and forth motion grasps the codex and lets it drop. Be careful to hold onto your feet, because this footage my well knock your socks off.



The next video demonstrates the claw's ability to pick up a codex and hold into it. No matter how hard I shake it, that claw won't let go of its grip. Talk about sexy...



The next step is making the final design for the claw. The claw will be made from water-jetted sheet aluminum. Be warned: the following models may be too sexy for some to handle.
Look at the sensual curves! Beautiful folds, cuts, and edges titillate the senses. Mmmmm...