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Make A Robot Ant

Make A Robot Ant
Build a robot ant that can be remote controlled or operate autonomously. Using an infrared detector, it can find and pick up objects. It is controlled by a Picaxe 20x-2 microcontroller.

While this is a fairly intricate robot, some of the motor techniques and circuits can be used for other simpler robots.

This instructable shows how to:

1-Use a Picaxe controller to receive remote control signals from a standard universal TV remote.

2-Use a Picaxe controller to interface with an infrared distance sensor.

3-Send serial commands to a serial motor controller or serial servo controller.

4-Make a simple one servo robot gripper.



The video shows the robot using infrared to locate and pick up a wooden block. It also shows that like most ants, the robot ant has a certain disdain for its puny human masters.

18+


 
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Step 1How It Works

How It Works
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  • anttop.jpg
  • antbottom.jpg
A Picaxe 20x-2 microcontroller controls an infrared distance sensor to locate and pick up objects. It uses serial commands to control a motor controller which operates the two gear motors that move the tank treads to propel the robot.

It also uses serial commands to control a servo controller which positions the three servos which operate the body, head and gripper movements.

It can be controlled by a standard TV remote control or it can operate autonomously.

The robot ant uses modular construction. Each circuit is a module that plugs into .1" header sockets. This makes it easy to test each circuit on a breadboard before it is installed. It also makes the modules available for the next robot or other project.

For details on making these modules see: http://www.instructables.com/id/Picaxe-Projects-1-Making-Fast-Printed-Circuit-Mo/

The robot ant is about 12 inches long and was made intentionally larger than necessary to allow room for more circuits. I intend to use it as a test platform for skin sensors and antenna sensors that I am working on.



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20 comments
Feb 13, 2011. 7:32 PMMatrix-technician says:
Wow, for $39 this is an awsome build. I would like to see someone miniaturize it, as i have almost no skills is robotics building. keep up the good work! 5*
Oct 30, 2011. 6:19 PMMr.Stein says:
It's actually $300. $39 is for the treads.
Feb 13, 2011. 5:31 PMmman1506 says:
cool robot really like the tank treads but the price is kinda steep at 39$
Oct 30, 2011. 6:16 PMMr.Stein says:
What!? It's more like $300.
Feb 13, 2011. 9:38 PMswilus says:
Seriously? You can spend $39.00 on a movie and snacks for 2-3 people!
Mar 24, 2011. 5:21 AMKolf35 says:
u kidding?im goin on a date soon and im gonna haf to pay 50 bucks nearly!!!!!!!!!
Mar 24, 2011. 5:47 AMmman1506 says:
Read the whole thread the total robot costs 300$. The tank treads cost 40$.
Feb 16, 2011. 9:47 AMD5quar3 says:
Ive spent 200 dollars now for my robot and it is still not working I wish I could take it all back and spend 39 dollars for a robot that does more than mine.
Feb 16, 2011. 8:10 PMD5quar3 says:
I have heard the dont give up on it a lot of times before, and I will not until I at least get this one done and then get more complex

thx for the encouragement
Feb 16, 2011. 7:28 PMmman1506 says:
I think people read my comment wrong i was just thinking of a cheaper method for the tank treads like the tamiya gearbox. I personnaly use use the picaxe all the time
Oct 30, 2011. 6:14 PMMr.Stein says:
It might have been easier to read if you used punctuation.
Jun 23, 2011. 3:37 PMpbecker83 says:
Agreed. We are using this chip for a low cost robot kit for our robotics club here in Nashville. Great projects!
Mar 24, 2011. 5:19 AMKolf35 says:
the vidyo was amazing!!!!!!!!
Feb 14, 2011. 5:46 PMraykholo says:
Your instructables keep getting better and better. Keep up the awesome work!
Feb 14, 2011. 4:05 AMatomicwaterstudios says:
how do i fave this thing???!?!!? i love it!!!
Feb 14, 2011. 12:33 AMynze says:
Great!
Feb 13, 2011. 4:03 PMChrysN says:
Awesome!
Feb 13, 2011. 2:33 PMiminthebathroom says:
sweet!!!!!!!!
Feb 13, 2011. 2:10 PMDr. Pepper says:
Amazing!

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Author:mikey77
I believe that the purpose of life is to learn how to do our best and not give in to the weaker way.