Build an autonomous Wall-E Robot

Hi! After a kabillion requests, here you go! This robot is running the EZ-B available at http://www.ez-robot.com

First a little introduction, watch the vide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJiMUzJHYFk

I started off with the toy titled "Interactive Wall-E". Available at toys'r'us current price $34.99

I am a robot hobbiest and have a lot of expierence with the programming and design to give robots expression and life. The first bit advice I can lend is to be confident. Second advice is to be creative. Together, you're mind will figure out the rest for you :)

There are plenty of peices available to you. My workshop is nothing special. I keep a supply of parts that are low cost. I usually collect items from disassembling other toys :) . Sadly, servos are the most expensive parts of the bunch.

For fasteners I use Zip Ties and an arragement of small screws, bolts and nuts. All are available in cheap combo kits at your local hardware store.

To modify the casings, i use a speed adjustable dremel and sometimes my soldering iron to melt plastic. For dremeling, please keep a vacumn nearby. *Warning: For melting, keep a window open with a fan!!

Also, if you choose to melt plastic peices, use a seperate bit on your soldering iron. The plastic will burn to the tip and make soldering a pain in the butt!

Now for the programming part... This is actually very easy. I do my programming for my robots using the EZ-Robot Project and the EZ-B Robot Controller.  It does not require any programming. You can just plug in your servo motors and control the robot from your PC. It also contains voice recognition and a bunch of other neat features. You can get it here: http://www.ez-robot.com


Here's a video of Wall-e in action...

Here's a cute video of Wall-e falling over while chasing his ball :)

Here's an older video of my first version

Step 1: Parts

Okay hopefully you've created a nice work area. Someplace with a table/bench that you don't mind getting dirty/burning/scratching/etc. (ie don't use your dining room table!)

Here is a list of the parts I used...

- 1 EZ-B with SDK or EZ-Builder software
Available at http://www.ez-robot.com 

- 2 Parallex modified servos for the drivetrain
Available at: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=114

- 1 GWS Standard servo for the head (Left and Right motion)
Available at: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=878

- 2 GWS Pico servos for the arms (Up and Down motion)
Available at: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=863

- 1 GWS Micro servo for the head tilt
Available at: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=862

- 2 Sharp Analog Distance Sensors
Available at: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=88

- A collection of 3-Conductor Servo Cables
Available at: http://www.hvwtech.com/products_view.asp?ProductID=690

- 1 Box of assorted small screws/bolts/nuts
Available at your local hardware store

- 1 Hobby Hot Glue gun
Available at Walmart or hobby store

- 1 bottle of krazy glue
Or any type of good strong plastic glue

- 1 Soldering Iron
I use an adjustable temp range soldering iron, which is costly but recommended. Sometimes you can come across these used in bargain classifieds or at electronic supply surplus shops.

- 1 Case of Jeweler Screw Drivers
Avaiable at walmart or any hardware shop

Comments

[pranav vempati]

How did u make the wall-e talk???? Does this come with the kit???

[pranav vempati]

How did u make the wall-e talk???? Does this come with the kit???

[josephricafort]

Super duper awesome!

[jcaresheets]

Way cool project. I know you made this quite some time ago, but I am slowly making my way through the tech area of the instructables trying to absorb as much data as I can. Not sure how this works and if you get a notice every time someone comments on your stuff or not. Figure that will be the only way I might get a reply. You did a wonderful job on this project and I had one burning question. What is with the completely gutted computer tower on saw on the left hand side of your work area. Were you stripping it for parts and just had not gotten around to getting rid of the carcass or what? I guess it caught my eye because I am working on stripping some monitors, desktops and laptops for any useable parts. Don't worry people, they have all been beyond repair or too old to do much of anything with. Heck the spec sheet for one of the laptops said the maximum ram if could hold was something like 192megs.

Anyways, great work and I will bookmark it for sure. Maybe I will be able your level some day. Just had to ask about the computer carcass.

[Nameless37]

make this into a wifi robot, put a webcam in the eyes, and a microphone, then put the motors and make it move around

[djsures]

wifi robots are controllable, this is a robot pet. it has free will ;)

[alucards23]

couldnt you ad the wifi just to see what he "sees"?

[robotdude112]

is there some way to get it to have more batterie life?

[wmelo]

wall-e...
love this robot,, i mean it... ^^

[maxsuit]

man ur awesome
totally..
i m ur fan nw!!

[djsures]

i dig your energy. thanx dude

[robotdude112]

i cant wait to build wall-e your wall-e is so cool!

[RoboLab2.0]

I am i big fan of ex-robot. I love your wall-e so much. I've seen your videos. So cool but how in the program can you do that. You are sooo smart.

[robotmaker]

also i see that on this instructable you are using Interactive Wall-E and on your site you have remote control wall-e,can both work for the camera you installed in his eye
also ebay selling Interactive Wall-E for under $20
also the board would be a good add on to ROBOREALM software,might ask STEVEN about it,mostly he looks for samples from robot companies and robot controller boards,so many interfaces on his website for robot controllers
he is working on one for AR parrot drone also

[zulfawi]

From where you buy it

[djsures]

I got the toy from walmart. but now you can get them on ebay. and the circuit board is from www.ez-robot.com :)

[robotmaker]

i see the list price now is $147 on amazon.com or the remote type $170

[jalozanomolina]

a lot of the servos needed are no longer available or in back other. Can someone point me to suitable replacements?

[djsures]

visit www.ez-robot.com .. you can get the servos there or the ez-robot complete kit

[robotmaker]

you say you get the servo's in the EZ-ROBOT complete kit
but they are standard servo's in the kit and robot said has micro and pico servo's is this correct
HS-55 or HS-65 BY HITEC at SERVOCITY or EBAY looks like a good choice

[lstair]

Would it be possible to do something like this with one of the characters from ROBOTS my kid LOVES that movie and would love to have a wonderbot or rodney copperbottom, or fender even. but i dont think they made any large toys like they did with Wall-E bc it wasnt that popular...Any ideas?

[Tonspaa]

The toy is on sale here: http://www.dealextreme.com/p/wall-e-robot-pvc-display-toy-45971
(Without the internal electronics, of course)

[theswordninja561]

d-does it pick up trash?

[David97]

is there a arduino code for this

[David97]

Coolest robot i have seen!!!!!!!1

[Jsquared24]

If I had a more technical know how (and more time and money!), I'd add:

Solar power panels that open up and close every 2 hours while on
Light up solar charge panel, showing how much charge there is
Random times of the Wall-e having his chest bay open and him scoop up stuff with his hands
Led light eyes
closable eye shutters in a leaf iris motion
and finally a modified cocroach that is kinda like a brisstlebot!

Maybe, when I'm older I'll make this...

[330]

well to find out how to make his eyes shut and scoop up things up why not try ehow.com

[james kevin]

That's so cool!

[avanner77]

If you have a dremel and a soldering iron, you can clean the tip if the iron using the #428 steel brush. I've done it before, you just have to tin the iron after grinding the plastic away.

[imBobertRobert]

dont ever throw it away! in 20 years or so you can make it self aware...

[Sithen]

I swear, that is so creepy when he just puts up his arms and starts roaming towards the camera. o.o

[nicky23]

I love walllllllllllll-eeeeeeeeeeeee!

[23baller]

Wall-e is so cute

[djsures]

thanx! :D

[jomac_uk]

Yes i think i skipped that bit, currently bidding for a Wall-e remote on ebay...fingers crossed

[djsures]

good luck!

[Onigirii]

Thanks alot man for the fast reply, and good luck with your future projects

[jomac_uk]

Well i lost the one on ebay, and after a 2 hour search on the internet, there is NOWHERE in the UK selling the Wall-e U command..!

Are they still available in the States, and if so where?

[djsures]

not sure. sorry

[Onigirii]

Can you tell me which programming skills I need in order to ,someday, one of these robots?

Thanks