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

[djsures]

http://www.ez-robot.com says you can start off with zero programming experience and use the ez-builder software.

then, you can learn to "script" in the ez-builder... and eventually move to the ez-sdk for serious programming.

[jomac_uk]

With all the space available inside, why didnt you go for a bigger battery, or would this strain the drive train too much?

[djsures]

it's a 2400 mha 7.2v battery. runs for hours. it's lithium-ion.
there is absolutely zero space available. the tiny battery barely fits. there are multiple size toys, and the most common is the remote control wall-e (which this is not). check my youtube channel www.youtube.com/aliencurv for a video of my larger wall-e

[jomac_uk]

Sorry, i thought it was the remote control version, to be honest this is the first time ive seen a Wall-e and im pretty hooked!

[djsures]

lol, he's pretty cool dude. that's for sure!

[fp_dahaka]

why dont u add a video.....

[djsures]

there is a video on my youtube channel @ http://www.youtube.com/aliencurv

[dxmmichelle]

Yes,there are many other microcontrollers to choose , i choose seekic microcontrollers.

[djsures]

for my most recent robots i use my ez-b that u can see videos and projects of on www.ez-robot.com .. or you can just see my robots on myw ebsite too :) www.dj-sures.com

[erin2003]

You mean www.seekic.com ?

[jomac_uk]

Im a bit confused here, are the servos actually used as the drive motors? if they are, are they modified for continuous rotation by removing the electronics? Sorry to seem dense!

[djsures]

the instructions define the servos as "modified servos". check out my other robots used with modified servos @ www.ez-robot.com and my website www.dj-sures.com and youtube channel www.youtube.com/aliencurv

there is no such thing as a dumb question :)

[browaway]

Hello DJ...this looks like a great project for me and my son when I get back from deployment. I would like to purchase your card but couldn't get a message back from you...Please help!

[erin2003]

If you want purchase card ,I suggest you go to ChinaIcmart

[Jake_Rider]

so here's all the instructions?

[ardebot123]

You say use freeduino. I have an arduino duemilenove, could i use that?

[Demascus]

project looks good so far, I wanted to pass on that if your looking for motors with good gearing IE powerful, go to your local wrecking yard and take out the motors that move the seats   in the car. Powered seats,  Are amazingly strong use 12volts and have reduction gears in place.  Some even have flexable shafts. 

[chrisinsweden]

Really nice, very cool  additions to a standard Wall-E. To take nothing away from your project, there is available a top-of-the-range Wall-E that does all that your one does and more. It is very expensive but I think it is worth the money and would make a fabulous bench mark to add more features to. It has a variety of sensors for obstacle  avoidance, obeys voice commands and mimics the 'real' Wall-E very well. My only complaint is that one of it's two sets of batteries drains very quickly and the battery compartment will not allow a larger one to be fitted.  I overcame this by adding a new box under the front of his body which takes any of the LiPo or NMh packs. I would be v glad to hear from anyone who has doctored one of these. Pimp my Wall-E!

[arhodes18]

This is awesome!
Does anybody have an estimate on how much this would cost?

[blottermusic]

There was a remote controlled Wall-e w/ voice on the market for $190.

http://gizmodo.com/386884/wall+e-robot-toy-in-action

[computer_guy]

Lmao. Lets try and put solar cells on him and another servo for it =D

[computer_guy]

Poor Wall-e But we're going to make you better once we're finished with you >=D

[vernonlilly]

I just want to say thanks, this is a awesome Instructable. I have made a couple of small obstacle avoiding robots and I'm working on a larger robot now.

[SepirothXD]

dude,hardcore robot awesome great work have you ever tried to do an bumblebee robot?

[Foaly7]

Cool. You might even pump this up with some commands you can give this robot by adding a microcontroller that can control the rest of the robot, and rewriting a software for giving your computer vocal commands to take commands for the robot to follow. Add a microphone in his head that wires up to the microcontroller, and some sort of USB connection for adding more commands. Then you have an Assisant WALL-E.

[ReCreate]

Hey, this is a great instructable and is very informative. Just one thing is missing... the Code! It really helps a lot when trying to follow directions so you should consider uploading the code. Once you do that and leave me a message when you have so that we can publish your work.

Thanks!

Thanks for the cool instructable and we hope to publish this soon!
_{^{lol i hope you get the joke}}

[jgueydan]

I've been trying to get ahold of the aurthor to purchase the board and microcontroller also...anyone get a response yet? I anxious to build this with my son!

[jonaboy110]

I just had to post..... totally awesome robot. :D In the video he looks just like Wall-e in the movie... it pwns. :o

[robot797]

doe you sell it in 1 peace in my country i cannot find any wal-e robot's and how do you make the servo's so that they will run continius.

[Derin]

Step 7 Pic 1=DANGEROUS
Seriously,put a faceplate on the outlet!

[Ryan Cooper]

Where'd you get the organizer in pic 3?

[gogwall]

So, was anyone able to buy a pre-programmed board from djsures?

[imaligalig]

You know what would make this project perfect? A solar panel and Mac's startup sound! Great project!

[McKippers]

its actually the the windows 95 sound

[brendan945]

Steve Jobs, Original owner of Pixar and sitting Disney board member + CEO of Apple = Mac Sound.

[psp3601]

mac start up sound

[samseide]

no, it is the mac sound. Imaligalig was right.

[Kiteman]

You know those 1000+ lines of code?

I realise they're probably very precious to you, being a long personal project, but, are you going to reveal them, or does anybody following this ible have to spend the same sort of time creating their own code?

<sub>Note of honesty - I doubt I'll be making one of these.

Question from #2 son - "Ask him, how much?" (I think he means "How much would you sell another one of these for?")</sub>

[djsures]

i won't be releasing the code. you won't need to spend 1,000+ lines of code either . but throughout time, i imagine your code will evolve also :) in fact, on the pic in C using CCS PCW .. you will be able to create a very simple robot with few lines of code . one that can avoid obsticles by merely scanning the IR Sharp Distance Sensor . Lots of forums out there for microcontroller programming .. Well #2 son, i know i won't be making another wall-e . but it can be your goal to make one :)

[diskincluded]

You're sure we can't convince you somehow?