Mad Dog Robot

Introduction

After seeing IBM computer Watson beat two former champions in Jeopardy earlier this year, I wondered if a simple robot could compete with people in more physical challenges.

Here's a DIY robot designed to compete in "Mad Dog" challenge as seen on NBC game show "Minute to Win It." In "Mad Dog," two Tic-Tac boxes are mounted to each end of a 12 inch ruler; contestants pick up the ruler with their teeth and have to shake out all the Tic-Tacs within a minute.

Any universal IR remote control which can produce Sony TV IR signals can control the Mad Dog Robot - either with individual functions or macros running pre-programmed command sequences.

Mad Dog Robot functions: [1] mechanical jaw opens / closes, and tightly holds the ruler, [2] simulated neck rapidly tilts ruler clockwise / counterclockwise about 45 degrees from horizontal, and finally [3] a powered platform moves robot forward / backward to pickup and replace the ruler.

Main components: Harbor Freight cordless electric drill motors (2), automotive wiper motor, Picaxe 18 M2 microcontroller, wood and metal components made from stuff available at hardware or home improvement stores. Part cost is approximately $125. Labor cost only $2 assuming I pay myself 5 cents an hour. Construction requires basic circuit building and wood and metal-working know how – mostly drilling and sawing – no welding or machining required.

You’ll notice a few extra holes here and there - that reflects the trial and error development process.

Hopefully this serves as a “starting point” to perhaps motivate makers and inventors to create even better robots to compete in entertaining physical challenges such as those presented on “Minute to Win It” game show.

Safety First – the robot throws Tic-Tacs at high velocity, stay out of harms way by always standing either in front of or behind the robot - never at the side of the robot. 

Step 1 Overview and Parts List

See system overview diagram & photos. 

I tried to make the parts list as complete as possible, but likely missed a few components, sorry about that.

Electronic components were purchased over several weeks from multiple suppliers – but in hindsight you can probably get almost everything from a single supplier such as Digikey.

The exception is Picaxe parts - I recommend USA Picaxe distributor Peter Anderson who provides quick order processing and low-cost shipping.

http://www.phanderson.com/picaxe/index.html

“Monster Guts” is the most viable windshield wiper motor source. Cordless electric drills from Harbor Freight.

My local Tractor Supply Center store (TSC) sells most nuts and bolts at $1.99 per pound - much cheaper than most hardware stores.

The universal remote control listed is what I actually used, but you probably already own a suitable remote control.