Build Your Own Butler Robot!!! - Tutorial,Photos, and Video

EDIT: More info on my projects check out my new website: narobo.com

I also do consulting for robotics , mechatronics, and special effects projects/products. Check out my website - narobo.com for more details.

Ever wanted a butler robot that talks to you , follows you around , and even pours you drinks? Read this instructable to learn how to build your own voice controlled butler robot which has many cool features.

This tutorial will show you how to make the butler robot , but any improvements that I add after this tutorial is finished will not be edited into this tutorial, but rather it will appear on my robotics blog : eRobots.BlogSpot.com . eRobots.BlogSpot.com My blog has a lot of cool robotics and electronics stuff, so check it out!

Please note that this tutorial can be modified to each person's needs and you do not have the follow the exact dimensions that I wrote. To make it easier for users I did write the dimensions that I used if they wanted a reference point.

I built my first version of my butler robot in 2007 and in June 2008 I began to make a newer version. The older version can be seen here:
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj202/erobot/Chives%20Original/DSC01588.jpg

The Functions of The Butler Robot:

1. Voice Commands for weather, time, and temperature

2. Pour a drink bottle into a cup

3. Manual control with a joystick

4. Cool soda cans in a mini fridge

5. Face recognition and greet people by their names

6. Follow a person wearing a certain color shirt

7. Avoid obstacles

8. Automatically dock to a charger

9. Sweep the floor

10. Wireless control over the internet

11. Wireless Remote Control from iPod Touch or SmartPhone

PLEASE VOTE FOR ME
I WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE THIS TUTORIAL VERY CLEAR AND EASY TO FOLLOW.

Someone told me that this looks like dalek from Doctor Who. Holy cow it does and I didn't even hear about Dalek or even Doctor Who until this morning!

MY PROMISE: If I win this contest and win a ticket to RoboGames, I will make a sleeker , cooler version of my butler robot ( equipped with tri-tracks, CNC body, better robot arm) in 2009. I will enter that butler robot in RoboGames 2009 AND I will document that revised version even more than I documented this robot! That's gonna be a very very detailed tutorial!
So please vote for me !!!

Step 1: Bill of Materials

Here is the final bill of materials. I divided it up into sections and included prices. So break open your piggy bank and collect the money , you'll be surprised it costs less than $500 !!! ( not including laptop)

Please note that this is what I paid , I will include some comments on items I feel could be purchased for cheaper. These prices are not final and a lot of them I am not exactly sure of what I paid since a lot were lying around my workshop for months and I don't remember the exact prices , only their relative ones.

I purchased all my parts from eBay ,Jameco, Home Depot , and AllElectronics.com . I used parts that are very common to find so you shouldn't have trouble finding any of them.

Tools:

1. Drill

2. Electric Screwdriver

3. Soldering Iron with solder

4. Hot Glue Gun

5. Small flat head screwdriver

6. Scissors

7. Wire Stripper

8. Some sort of saw to cut the wood

9. Black Spray Paint Canister - $5

10. Silver Spray Paint Canister - $5

Chassis:

1. Two Wheelchair Motors - $100 on eBay
2. One 14" x 21" plywood 3/4" thick - $2 ( this depends on how big a piece of wood you buy and how much you cut)
3. Four machine screws ( this depends on what the wheelchair mounting holes accept) - $0.64
4. Four washers for the machine screws - $0.50
5. One caster to support at least 150lbs - $5.40
6. Two screws to mount your caster ( this also depends on what the caster mounting holes accept) - $0.32

Motor Control:

1. Eight 30amps automotive relays (cheapest I found is herehere) - $19.20
2. Four dual relay sockets (cheapest can be found herehere) - $12.00
3. Two 12V 20AH batteries ( you could really just get one and that would suffice) - $60.00
4. Phidgets 0/16/16 (I bought from TrossenRobotics.com , though eBay sometimes has them) - $99.00
5. Some 22 ga. or thicker black wire( get a 20ft roll and that will be enough for the whole project) -$3.00
6. Some 22ga. or thicker red wire ( 20ft roll will suffice for the whole project as well)-$3.00
7. Different color of electrical tape ( yellow,black,red,white) - $2.69
8. See through plastic cover - $2.00
9. Six L brackets ( each angle is 3" and 2" thick) - $3.00
10. Eight #8 x 1" drywall screws - $0.16
11. One 120V Light Switch w/ at least 14 ga. wires attached - $5.49

Lower Body:

1. Two 14.5" x 8" plywood 3/4" thick -$4.00

2. Two of 11.5" x 8" plywood 3/4" thick - $4.00

3. One of 14.5" x 13" Plexiglas 1/4" thick - $3.00

4. Seventeen #8 x 1" drywall screws - $0.34

5. Three L brackets ( each angle is 3" and 2" thick) - $1.50

6. Six #8 x 1/2" thick plastic spacers - $0.12

Upper Body:

1. One 5.5" x 9" plywood 3/4" thick- $1.00

2. One 5" x 9" plywood 3/4" thick - $1.00

3. Two 10" x 21" plywood 3/4" thick - $4.00

4. One 9" x 11.5" plywood 3/4" thick - $1.00

5. One 9" x 21" plywood 3/4" thick - $2.00

6. One 12VDC Automotive MiniFridge - $15.00 ( got lucky on eBay)

7. Six L brackets( each angle is 3" and 2" thick)-$3.00

8. Two #8-32 x 1/4" machine screw with two nuts and washers- $0.50

9. Twenty two #8 x 1" drywall screws - $0.44


Robot's Head:

1. 12" diameter cake cover - $1.29

2. One 1.5" dia. PVC slip-joint nut - $0.75

3. One PVC 7" x 1.5" diameter $ 3.00

4. One webcam - $5.00 ( eBay is a wonderful place)


Robot Arms :

1. Robot Arm Grabber Toy - $10

2. Two 1.5" dia. PVC slip-joint nut - $1

3.One 2" length PVC coupling - $0.50

4. Two 1.5" dia. PVC threaded pipe that is at least 4" long ( this can be cut into a straight piece) - $1

5. Two 17" x 1.5" dia. PVC pipe - $ 4.00

6. Five L brackets( each angle is 3" and 2" thick) - $2.75

7. Four #8 x 1.75" drywall screws - $0.08

8. Four small L brackets ( servocity has similar http://servocity.com/html/534-633_bracket.htmlones, but theres always eBay :P ) - $0.60
9. One 6V NimH battery(I used that) or 6V battery pack(cheaper) - $11

10. HS-425BB servo( electronics were fried so I got it cheap) - $5

11. Rim of a 4" dia. Lego Wheel- $0.15

12. 1.5" dia. duct connector - $3.00

13. Motorized back wheels of toy R/C car - $1.00 ( eBay has a large selection of broken R/C cars whose motors still work)

14. Two skinny L brackets ( its like 3" long at each angle but only 1/2" wide) - $0.50

15. Eleven #8 - 1" drywall screws - $0.22

Plus the laptop of choice --- this can be anywhere from $100 - $3000 . I used an old one that was lying around

Also I want you all to know that around 50% of all the parts I had from beforehand in my workshop so it only costed me like 50% of the total price listed here. You too probably have a bunch of the above parts lying around your house or perhaps you have friends who would be willing to donate parts, just use your resources and you could make this thing much cheaper than it is now.

Total Bill: $420.14 + laptop of choice

Comments

[preetham1104]

Hey,
I realize I am a bit of a late-comer (If 3 years is considered late), and I recently discovered this project while browsing robotic videos on YouTube. I have to say, this project is MARVELOUS! Fabulously explained, and a very innovative idea! A truly amazing project.

[monkeys98]

It actually reminds me more of gadget gadget from the waters of mars.

[hmiddendorf]

How fast does he go?

[bmclaury]

Amazing

[hantly]

 where can i get one of these? would one of those proper robotic arms work like this one if not where can i get one of them and is there a way of making the arm bend? other than thatg this robot is awsome i want to make it so bad and add a few twists :P :) (if i can lol)

[bmclaury]

Jameco Electronics

www.jameco.com

[The Wizard of Cause]

I used to own something similar to that when I was young. It was called "Super Armitron." Its really just a toy. The gripper arm was very weak and very slow. It was tons of fun for playing with action figures, but not much for real gripping. However I imagine you could probably rig it up with some stronger parts if you were clever enough.

You can probably still find them either online or at a science/discovery store. As I remember, I got it as a xmas gift and it only cost around thirty bucks or so back in the 90s.

[conrad2468]

thinkgeek.com i think they sell those arms.

[hantly]

 or is there any way of giving it more of a proper robot arm.so it could do more stuff. please help and how would i add this to the software. thanks. once again great robot!

[gregorystarr]

amazing

[tesla man]

Do you think that it would be possible to build a mini one without the fridge and drink pouring?

[natedog2008]

he's so cool!

[tinker234]

wow could i add this http://www.keylemon.com/

[289poppy]

I love the whole idea of the project, right now I'm actually deep into the code. Forgive my youthful ignorance, but I didn't see anything relating to the Roborealm program in the VB script? Why is this? Does it go thru something else? An explanation would be really cool, and thanks once again!

[Aron313]

Wish i could make a robot like that!!!!!

[NE patsrock]

OMG this is soooo cool u should like make a company and sell them

[x8ATT0SA1x23x]

how long dose it usually last?

[Unit042]

OOOOH! Relays---this has my vote for the contest. Anything that serves beer and has relays deserves a vote!

[x8ATT0SA1x23x]

word!!!!

[Erobots]

lol thanks for your vote! I use relays because they are cheap and easily available. I am starting to shift towards MOSFETs because I need speed control.

[x8ATT0SA1x23x]

the base instructions are pretty strait forward. so i give you the title "ace instructor"XD

[SimonRawr]

Hi, I'm planning on building this robot, but I'm wondering how I would program the code/voice controls on a Mac. Thanks!

-Simon

[SimonRawr]

And also, do you control the robot wirelessly with your laptop? Or is the laptop mounted?

[Sgt. Cookie]

What are the minimum laptop/computer specs this thing needs?

[robotmaker123]

I knew it you use roborealm for voice commands a used to do that to make my computer tell me stats about its imune system you add buttons and the win vista or win 7 voice recgnition does the rest

[mwagner63]

What is the difference between the relay battery and the motor battery?

[sharkking]

question: you mentioned automatically avoiding obstacles, where is that? I don't see any mention of it throughout the tutorial

[--= Excogitate =--]

Awesome! This has really inspired me to make a butler bot of my own. One thing I was interested in that you mentioned was self-docking to a charger. I don't know if I just missed it in my excitement, but I didn't see it. What step is it mentioned on? Thanks for the awesome instructable!

[D5quar3]

It reminds me of the robot in Rocky the movie

[wmanidi]

You won. Wheres the new robot?

[demonsonic1]

 I have a few suggestions for your robot. You should program him to follow and to come when you are in another room. And maybe add a servo to let his head turn.

Thank you for your cooperation.

[hantly]

 what rpm and voltage are you wheel chair motors??

[Fashim]

This is an even cooler invention then Toast. Like seriously id make one in the future that can walk up the shops and buy me a drink

[trevor3693]

it would be even better if it had a toster.  :p

[Fashim]

Im probs gonna make this but im gonna call it Wadsworth and it should have to voice of wadsworth in Fallout 3

[The Wizard of Cause]

Could this robot interface with any of the chatbot programs available through jabberwacky or the like? I just wonder because if a chatbot interface could be linked into a voice recognition and speech to text (and viceversa) program, wouldn't it possibly be a mock conversationalist?

By god I love this site. Found it today at work and I've been on it pretty much all day since getting home. I hope to start construction on this and/or the Doctor Who K9 unit in the next year. It'll be my first venture into robotics, but I'm good at following directions and not afraid of failure. Thanks for building this and thanks for putting up this instructable!

Please feel free to hit me up with any advice as I'm the newest of noobs to such things.

[wocket]

I've just started with electronics and can't wait to get into it. i love the idea of a K9! let me knoe how you go with making him?

my first project will probably be a sonic screwdriver.
:)

[fatboy106]

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?menuno=86022 would the second two laptops work or do they need windows vista?

[willrandship]

since it's VB it should work just fine with anything windows that can use the Visual basic studio. In other words, most likely, providing they don't use CE (your link is out of date now) If you can find a compiler it should also work in Mac or Linux

[hantly]

 none of the windows visual 6 software will install on my comp. i have it running vista! you did say that you need a comp on vista but on microsoft it just says windows 2000 and windows xp and a few others but not windows vista please help!

[--= Excogitate =--]

 Awesome! Somethings that might be cool to add:

-swiveling head for use with remote control.
-speed settings for movement.
-slower pouring of beverage so it doesn't spill.

This is by far one of the coolest instructables. Great work!

[lane29]

good idea

[Ebay]

very clever design, I like it.

[masterpj]

can it peform tasks on its own???
and i dont really see it cleaning and such in action.
and plz can you make a modified instructiable without mini fridge and with 2 robot arms and no arm for beverage.
and maybe 4 clawed arm so it can really interact with more things and then i can help you.
(i am not technical with hardware you know)
but i am with software.
so i can make it like search for cola and really fill your glass with grabbing the bottle and more cleaning and assisting.
the minifridge could be an automated storage for the butler robot (chives)
so when he needs something he can open the door.
and then grab something out (that might be hard)
but can you plz i mean plzzz

provide an slight modified instruction on how to make a slighly more advanced arm plzzzzzzzz
then i swear i would help you with all i can.
(i have a lot of free time =D )

[Erobots]

I've added a bunch of stuff to him just I am not in the mood to document it tutorial-style. I'm in the middle of a lot of projects , and I expect to sell versions of Chives ( that do functions that you said) late next year. The purpose of this instructable was to show how to make a butler robot for beginners

[JohnJY]

I'm extremely interested in robot engineering, but I have problems with simple basics. This instructable is very helpful, and at the moment I'm interested in micro sized bots, I believe his id is mickey77, yet I can't build any thing that doesn't come from a kit with instructions. I also wish to build a bot from scratch, like homemade motors and circuits, but don't seem to have luck with that. What help could you give me?

[masterpj]

nice thanks.
and i understand why you dont want to do a tutorial style one XD :P
its so much to type and discribe.
but well if you have time you could make a small explanation (not a full new tutorial)
but an add on tutorial witch is made in a new instrutables tutorial where you just say the steps number and just say what you could do instead.
because if you modify or improve the arms of the robot butler, then the value and the interactivity and usabilaty and (LOL) it can peform more help tasks.
if you could only add that than i would be happy.
(and well i ment a very small improvement.
just an extra servo in the arm witch could bend the arm so it can grab things from different heights easier.
i would recommend 2 servos on the arm of the robot.
(close to each other)
one for up and down movement.
and one for right and left.
then i could help with programming.
but the only program if i would try this is the controll hardware.
where the servo should be attached to and how to communicate to it.
well strapping some wires to the serve and making the inside the tube of the arm or against it isnt that hard though XD

well i would like to participate help or maybe even suggest idea's
since i got alot of them =)

and i could help on the software if arm improvement has been done.
so it can really pour drinks from the table.
and just take a broom or vacuumcleaner and use it to clean :D

and just control anything you want.
well and with hardware. i can help you improve speech recognition (i am a vista expert :D )
(microsoft really likes my help and beta testing ;)

[poparoo4]

Oh yer and what made you call it chives?

[poparoo4]

This is so good, the amount of effort and time you must have put in must have been amazing. This has got to be one of the best instructables out there!

[EmperorZombie]

Very awesome, but you should have put him in a tuxedo :)

[Yashknowsbetter]

Hi! wonderful bot you've got there! okay now i'm going to try and replicate that..only that i don't want to buy the Phidgets buy i want to build a circuit myself ..any suggestions? can you guide me as far as the circuitwork is concerned? also ,i'm afraid i cant afford to let my budget run so loose, in fact i've got a laptop. so can u tell me, where i can cut down my costs? Thanks! DO reply soon!

[cantthinkof bettername]

This is amazing! I gave it five stars, and voted for it in the book contest. I would love for the world to have more servant robots to do stuff for me so I don't have to. Could you use a segway or winget as a base for the robot? I guess that would cost a lot more. I also think humanoid robots are cool, but not very practical for the price. Could you make an autonomous version?

[Erobots]

thank you! I could definitely use a segway as a base , but cash is my problem right now I am actually working on a giant mech for me to ride on right now , and if that goes well then I'll add it to Chives . I might make my own self balancing robot base and add that to Chives as well. Chives has some autonomous features like obstacle avoiding and following red shirt people , but due to lack of speed control it needs work. Humanoids are definitely not cost effective , but they are really cool. I am developing a newer version with tracks and speed control , that will be finished like next year. Nice to see people interested! Have you any experience in robotics? ,Eric

[karanrobo]

Dear Sir, can you please tell me how you have used the ccrp timer objects. i have downloaded it but cant understand how to use it with visual basic. I will apprecitae it a lot if u could tell me how to Install it. I will also appreciate it if you could explain how you have used robot realm. Thank you

[karanrobo]

Daer Sir i am a 1st year mechaical engineer and this is the my 1st project. I saw ur website and decided to build my robot. i have completed the ost of the mechanical part. But I have doubts regarding the software. How can I figure out how to use the software and install it I tired unstalling it bt could not figure out how to do it. Ive spent like all the money I earnt frm partime jobs over a period of 8 months on this project . I will really appreciate it if u colud give me some tips about hw I can use the software effectively.

[cantthinkof bettername]

Not really. I have always wanted to build one, but it would be really expensive. I made some of those Lego robots before and some very simple kits. How much processing power does a robot like this need?

[Erobots]

I could really run this robot on a microcontroller but I chose a laptop to make it easier to program and to do remote control over Wifi. If you have interest in robotics look at SocietyofRobots.com/robotforum I am a member there and they answer your robotics questions in detail and quickly.

[raykholo]

ir remote control?

[cantthinkof bettername]

well I just thought that you wouldn't need the screen on the robot, so you could save weight and expense. the cherrypal computer uses only two watts and weighs ten ounces and costs $250 and has wifi. I will go to that website now.

[Erobots]

also another option to the cherrypal is the EEE PC , which is only ~50 dollars more but has a screen and built in wifi , and built in battery .

[cantthinkof bettername]

Oh yeah, I forgot about those.

[Erobots]

well you don't need a computer at all! I told u a microcontroller is fine but since I had an old laptop on hand I used that. Thats a nice find right there !

[will421]

OMG, 58 steps!?!??!?!?!??!!?!??!

[a dude]

that is the coolest thing I have ever seen can i pleeeaase buy it please reply

[the dude123]

can i buy for $450 please reply

[hockey6]

Dude that built this robot you are awsome! Do you have a tips to get my parents to let me make the robot?

[hockey6]

I'm gone try to get my parents to let me have it. Its just awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gliucoza]

i think it is cute. does it have feelings?

[footer0]

disturbing

[Plasmana]

What is?

[footer0]

I don't know, I'am not really sure... but do you have a progam that can make it say "Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty"?

[Plasmana]

No....?

[footer0]

Come on!, you never saw the show?. its from like the 80's.

[tornadoboy]

You talking about Twiki from Buck Rogers?

[footer0]

HELLS YEAH! You got it!

[Plasmana]

nope.

[footer0]

Well that sucks. You should make it, say "Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty Bitty" any ways.

[NetReaper]

lol i saw that

[bowmaster]

For the kill switch can I use a big, bright, glowing button?

[NetReaper]

You mean the big red button

[DELETED_Robert L]

(removed by author or community request)

[Erobots]

Google Sketchup
http://narobo.com/articles/Sketchup.html

[spiffytessa]

That is... awesome! I have only tackled basic robotics so far, and this is a longgg way off from that. Keep up the good work!

[masterpj]

aryclic i can answer some of your questions 3. no you need the windows vista speech recognition wich is included in windows vista only (in premium or over) 4. yes you need a microphone for speech recognition or it couldn't hear anything. 7. the webcam is to see feed from your pc what he is doing and is needed for face recognition

[arylic]

Hey really cool robot. I have started building this robot and it looks way cool then yours :p .... But it can't figure out some part of the instructables and here they are please answer then as soon as possible. 1. Can i program my own software using c++ cause i know that. 2. Can you tell me how to connect the phigets to the laptop ? 3. Would windows service pack 3 work ? 4. Do i need a microphone for the speech recognition ? 5. Why did you link to this website internetcalls.com ? 6. what is the robo realm ?and how can i use it with the robot ? 7. What about the webcam what is its purpose ? Please answer my questions.

[masterpj]

oh just to say (sorry for spamming) you should have won the robot. you earnd it more than the others. i voted for you and gave you 5 star rating. my opinion this is the best robot instructables/tutorial ever made :D

[volquete]

nice build! do people ever buy your robots? You make them for about $900(with laptop) and sell them for $4000-$5000! Reminds me of iPods,they build them for $20, sell them for $130. I'd like to build this, but frankly, i don't have the money! If you could, would you try to make a cheaper version?

[ThomasHartholt]

Let's name it 'the butbot' :) No, just kidding. it's great!

[Owenmon]

how in the world did the walle robot get a higher rateing then this

[Owenmon]

LOL u used at&t text to speech!

[Plasmana]

Great work!

[raykholo]

can u combine this with the serverbot
and small robots

using the small ones as an "escort" or something like that

also, can u possibly make this like a self moving workstation with printer..., cuz i kinda need something like that? ..

thnks

[Erobots]

yes I could design those and make a custom robot for you If you are interested please contact me through email airman00 at gmail.com

[raykholo]

just asking, but thanks anyway

[HDM528]

that could be the next big thing in the magizine "Big Inventions" great job can i get one

[Erobots]

which magazine?

[mayoom]

man thats AMAZING ! Great JOB ! i'm really impressed : )

[raykholo]

this is great where can i see the 5000 $ version that u r selling? and once again im into the whole wii thing, so can u use glovpie to map the commands (see my instructable if u dont know what im talking about) hold the wiimote sideways (power button side to the left) and tilt it for the robot to move, and the buttons can do other stuff in the program --- just an idea 5 star work

[Erobots]

thanks for the nice words! I am currently not selling versions of my robot anymore at least not for another 6-8 months. I am busy with my other projects and its not really worth it for me to sell butler robots. I like your idea with the wii . I might incorporate it into my bipedal robot that I am working on now.

[JellyWoo]

wait, if this whole build costs $500, then why are you selling them for $5000? btw, you were a runner up in the robo games. good job!

[JellyWoo]

opps, i meant you won second.

[Erobots]

well thats because you aren't paying for the same robot. The 5000 dollar one looks much much nicer , has custom CNCed parts , and pours drinks better. Plus the 5000 dollar one has a bunch of more stuff that can be added on.

[JellyWoo]

oh. can you post a picture of it?

[Erobots]

lol its not done yet , but yea I'll post a pic once its done and about to be shipped

[JellyWoo]

thanks

[JellyWoo]

it says you need to use wheel chair motors, but i have this old kids electric motorcycle that can be charged. if i take this apart, will it work? thanks

[Erobots]

Those motors are used in the arms of Chives . However if you make everything out of plastic and make everything lighter then those motors will work fine. However they are a pain to attach to stuff ( mount on wheels, etc.)

[JellyWoo]

do you know how heavy chives is?

[Erobots]

the version pictured here is very heavy , I'm not so sure of the exact weight but I would say around 100 lbs or something. If you use plastic and a lighter battery it will be drastically reduced.

[JellyWoo]

i'll post a picture tomorrow

[JellyWoo]

here it is.

[Erobots]

that has only one motor inside it and its a pretty weak motor at that .

[JellyWoo]

oh, do you know what i can use the motor for?

[Teh_Fluff]

nice! voted, 5*s and faved. keep up the good work

[edfel01]

holly crap this is the coolest robot i have ever seen!!!!

[Erobots]

thanks! you know that I am selling versions of my butler robot to the public ... ;) airman00.googlepages.com

[SuperCoPilot]

OOO a new and improved version can't wait

[Ro-Bot-X]

Hey Airman00, nice instructable! I wish I had enough time to do one too. Oh well, maybe next time!

[Erobots]

hello thanks for the nice comment!

[Erobots]

I am starting to sell lighter versions of Chives , my butler robot It has all the same features , but it is made of light plastic instead of heavy wood Butler robots start at around $4000 , price varies with features included. Email me if you are interested airman00 at gmail.com

[masterj]

or this ...http://cgi.ebay.com/Rear-Wheel-Drive-Motors-Merits-MP3C-Electric-Wheelchair_W0QQitemZ260265254320QQihZ016QQcategoryZ19265QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[masterj]

would this work ... plz reply soon ...
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRIDE-JAZZY-ELECTRIC-WHEELCHAIR-MOTORS-POWER-WHEELCHAIR_W0QQitemZ170241151899QQihZ007QQcategoryZ19265QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[cooldog]

hey this is really cool i've been following your projecty on SoR and you have done a great job

[Erobots]

hey cooldog thanks for your vote!

[masterj]

very nicely done 5 stars ... now i want to build this so how much do you htink this would cost if i didnt have a single part .... no charger no laptop no minifridge or anything?

[masterj]

sorry ... i just read the first step so now i see...

[Erobots]

thanks for your vote btw , I would suggest you use a motor driver and not relays like I did. Motor driver would let you have speed control. But motor drivers are more expensive as well... I'm working on a more advanced version of my butler robot as we speak , so maybe you'll wanna wait a few months until that documentation is completed. email me if you need any extra help airman00 at gmail.com

[plane phanatic]

Excellent job! You did an amazing job with this robot! +1 vote 5/5 stars

[Erobots]

thanks! if you need any help building it , just drop me an email airman00 at gmail.com

[Unit042]

I don't mean to split hairs, but it's revolutions per minute:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rpm

[Erobots]

you caught me I edited it now, revolutions is more accurate technically I was right though , because rounds can mean "Movement around a circle or about an axis." But you were more right , so I put that in now.

[Unit042]

Rounds are perfectly acceptable, I just can't resist stirring up trouble. Heehee. Nice robot, although I would never have the guts to do a built-in fridge. Mine would be more like an R2D2 with flamethrower and explosive self-destruct mechanism. Think: mobile turret and armory.

[Erobots]

lol sounds very "safe" I would like to build a cool mech one day... wtih flamethrower but NO self destruct ( why would I want to blow that kinda thing up) :)

[Unit042]

Well, the self destruct is to prevent theft. When the robot detects that it's being stolen, it blows up, killing the criminal who would have gone back for more stuff from your house. And it destroys any possibility of "Them" finding any criminalizing evidence inside the robot, er... crack *ahem*... cocaine...*cough*... weapons grade plutonium stash... *The guy next to me said it!* etc.,
but you didn't hear it from me! ;-)

[Erobots]

LOL that made me smile an even better way would be to just kill the criminal without blowing up

[Unit042]

That would be nice, but then there would be evidence left over, with your fingerprints on it, that just killed a guy! How about ninja star throwing?

[Erobots]

I meant have my butler robot incapacitate him , lol

[Kopolis777]

50000 volts should do the trick

[Unit042]

*Mischievous smile sneaks upon face, mirroring the equally, if not more trouble making thoughts of the recipient of the above comment's implications...*

[Erobots]

hmmm I'm thinking of using maybe a bug zapper on Chives, not to kill just to give a nasty burn and scare people off

[Camisado]

Wow! Very Nicely done! ( although I can't get a thing you said in this I'ble because I'm too dumb, LOL ) And about your spam, I think that it was actually the good kind of spam, not the bad one. And seeing you apologize like that makes me feel that you are a great man. Nice job again. 5 stars, favored, and voted.

[zaro12345]

nicely done! The voice reconision software runs beautiful! The movement control could be a little better, and the arms are a little imobile, but I really like the phone controllability. It obviously works quite well. Great Instructable!

[Erobots]

thank you I'm working on an improved version as we speak . Expect it to be up in about 6 months on instructables

[Camisado]

Dude, it's great that you liked his I'ble and all, but why are you posting that comment as a reply to MY comment?

[Erobots]

if u need any help email me!

[Camisado]

I don't know your e-mail....

[Erobots]

airman00 at gmail.com feel free to drop me an email relating to robotics

[Camisado]

thanks

[Erobots]

thank you :)

[Camisado]

You're welcome :D

[Kopolis777]

i shall call him jarvis

[Erobots]

ur making one? cool , post up pictures when its done!

[Doctor Who]

Make a Dalek robot with a working plunger and egg whisk next

[Erobots]

lol I'll try , I'll try :)

[shimniok]

Nicely done! What I like best about your design is that others can duplicate it without super expensive parts or needing a cnc mill or whatnot, yet it has the power of a full blown pc inside so you could pretty well get it to do anything you wanted. You got my vote :)

[Erobots]

yey! thanks btw , I'm making a new website about robotics. I'll send you a PM or an email when its finally up.

[Jahoovi]

dam... great 5

[Erobots]

thanks tell ur friends to vote for me as well! :)

[Jahoovi]

alrdy did

[Hawaii00000]

Great a job! Very resourceful.

[botmaster 10]

+5 and voted for! I love this bot!

[Erobots]

thanks! Get ready for a newer version of my butler robot in a few months!

[botmaster 10]

Well, im a big fan of chives. may i have the first one?

[Erobots]

lol you are the second person to want him. I can custom make you a lighter version ( same features) of Chives for a couple thousand ( that includes the computer built in and shipping) email me if you are interested airman00 at gmail.com

[arerobot]

COOL!!! Found this through google

[Erobots]

thanks

[Erobots]

lol yea if you want to be technical thanks for catching my mistake , I'll edit it now Hope you enjoy the rest of my tutorial!

[emuman4evr]

I voted, that thing deserves a coilgun instead of a water pistol.

[Erobots]

lol so true I plan to make a newer version of my butler robot with either spider legs or just self balancing. Then I'll add your coil gun.....

[i make shooting things]

so many steps. great job

[DELETED_craz meanman]

(removed by author or community request)

[Erobots]

thank you :)

[ac1D]

i got two SPAM private message from this guy for me to look this page: stop it. spam is bad. i wont vote only becose of that. damn spam.

[Erobots]

I realized my mistake , I am new to instructables.

I spoke to moderators and the admins. They suggested I make this page:
http://www.instructables.com/community/Apology-for-Spam-I-Sent/

Please reconsider.

,Eric

[The Jamalam]

this is amazing! Did you build this on your own? I voted! Btw, you should set the gun command to opening a door, or breaking a window, that way you can ward off intruders! Feeling lucky punk??? lol

[Erobots]

thanks! I'm working on a better arm for him , and yes I did build this on my own btw , I'm glad someone liked the feeling lucky punk ( clint eastwood style) joke :)

[Erobots]

uploaded some video of my butler robot

[JellyWoo]

i might want to make this but what skill level do you think is the project? (easy,medium,hard)

[Erobots]

if you follow my directions its pretty easy to build I would say medium , because you might need to improvise on some steps if you have sightly different parts then I have.

[randempedestrian]

VOTED FOR! Great robot and probably the BEST instructable ever in regards to your detailed explanations and overall dedication. A project this large would be overwhelming to me for the amount of information you included! My only criticism is that Mr.Robot isn't the most aesthetically pleasing robot ever, but really, who cares when it does so much!!? :) 5/5 Best of luck!

[Erobots]

thank you for your vote yea the robot doesn't look that sleek , but I'll probably make a revised version soon. I'll make it on tracks and I'll probably CNC a body ,instead of the crude wood I used. Tell your friends to vote for me! i promise that if I win this contest , I will have the revised "cooler" butler robot finished and fully documented by June 2009 , where I will enter that butler robot into RoboGames. But if I don't win .... there isn't any robogames, now is there. Thanks!

[Ha4xor4life]

name your price

[Erobots]

price for what? you want to buy this butler robot off me? if you do , please email me and we will talk ; airman00 at gmail.com Please vote and rate this instructable as well!

[Erobots]

Uploaded all the code.......

[taylor179]

I voted for you and this is one of the best instructables ive seen!!!

[Erobots]

thank you!!! tell your friends to vote for me too!! I promise that if I win 1st or 2nd place in this contest I will improve my butler robot even more and document it ! I will even add tracks! This is a promise and I always hold up to my word.

[JellyWoo]

how much did this whole thing cost? (besides the laptop)

[andy1124]

under $500 US dollars (see 1st page)

[TheInventor]

Oh my GOD! Great work!!! Would you mind if I Build a mini one and put it on instructables? I'll credit you if I can. Anyways... +1 Added to favorites VOTED FOR!

[Erobots]

I would not mind at all! Just please credit me for it and link to my blog erobots.blogspot.com Ill be happy to help out with it . Contact me at airman00 at gmail.com

[whackpak]

this is very impressive!!!

[Erobots]

The bill of materials is Step 1

http://www.instructables.com/id/SRPBSR8FI36FVSW/

,Eric
eRobots.BlogSpot.com

[Erobots]

thank you all for your nice comments!!!! also, if anyone has any ideas for any commands or just some greeting the butler robot should say OR if you just want to chat about robotics , drop me an email airman00 at gmail.com Right now he can drive by voice command, tell the time, the weather , weather conditions , and do some sound effects by voice command.

[joey2542667]

that is, by far, the best robot I have ever seen on Instructables! seriously, who else would take the time and money to make a robot, take pictures of the building process, and make a 52-step Instructable and not get anything out of it? to you and your robot, I take off my hat.

[Erobots]

uploaded it now!

get ready for the code and videos guys , that will be up this weekend.

Code maybe even tonite , it just takes time to write some documentation clearly describing my code.

Enjoy

and thanks for the vote!
thanks for the feedback as well

,Eric
http://eRobots.BlogSpot.com

[Erobots]

hey guys,

I'm typing up the bill of materials as I speak .

i'll PM you when I am done

@=SMART=

There will be some more steps ,lol , explaining my code

[taylor179]

how much longer do you think you'll be? (just asking, no rush)

[taylor179]

I' definitely voting for you!!! this was a great instructable, Great Job:)

[=SMART=]

Very cool robot, looks like a nice dalek :P 51 steps is very impressive!

[cowscankill]

omg thats alot of work! +5

[taylor179]

yah I was wondering the same thing