Simple Bots: Skitter

Skitter Bot came into this world as result of a chain reaction of exploded of cosmic energy. By current estimates, this chain reaction took roughly 13.7 billion years to complete. When put into such context, it becomes quite clear just how long it takes for near-perfect walking scrub brush bot to come into being.

Do not be fooled. Scrub Bot was not the simple sort of bot that materializes overnight when I zip tie a bunch of scrub brushes together. No! There was an ineffable cosmic plan that led up to this bot's creation, going back well beyond the day when man, through genetic mutation, first evolved the ability to manufacture zip ties and scrub brushes. This bot is a bona fide cosmic child.

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Step 1: Go get stuff

You will need:

(x1) continuous rotation servo modified for direct drive**
(x1) 3 x AA battery holder
(x1) DPDT toggle switch
(x4) scrub brushes
(x1) small plastic container
(x1) ballpoint pen
(x1) 1-1/2" x 3/8" corner brace
(x1) assorted zip ties

**Modify your servos for direct drive here

Comments

[mimad]

where can i get the continuous rotation servo modified for direct drive**??

[white dragon]

yay!now i dont have to be the one cleaning the floor with a toothbrush......just hope i dont get caught.

[Ian01]

It's like that BEAM walker I read about years ago, but with electromechanical control instead of a Bicore. I like the simplicity.

[godbacon]

add some diamond pads to 40 or so bots and you have a team of concrete floor polishers that will work through the night.

[bigryanj]

are they tooth brushes ???

[richi527]

I'm not a fan of modding servos. I would've like to see a hex shmitt inverter used to control the servo here. the controller would've taken up the room of two postage stamps. The first inverter sets the timing ( 55hz ) the second inverter sets the pulse width (1 to 2 milliseconds on-time in the pulse train). The on-time would be toggled between 1ms and 2ms (full left to full right) by a second pair of inverters producing a square wave, and inputted above the timing resistor on the second trigger to modulate the reference voltage.
WHY DO THIS??? Simple, it allows the experimenter an opportunity to build a PWM controller that has a hard wired function without a per-programmed chip. Also the added flexibility. if you get tired of your toy and want to build something else you can't UN-mod a servo, but your servo controller can easily be reconfigured into a "servo tester".

[richi527]

P.S. I love the Tupperware project box on this one. :)

[thattori]

As an application of this model, it may be possible to create bots who can swim on surface of water as Gerridae.

[randofo]

Keeping it light enough to maintain the appropriate surface tension might be hard, but that is an interesting idea.

[thattori]

Trying material is not so hard, because it can be done by one hand.

[Insonicbloom]

thats ace. you could totally add a little sci-fi esque siren to that - one that goes woop wooop wooop theres a cool stripboard one  HERE

[Tomdf]

Ok, instead of those brushes one could use toilet brushes. Then before you go to work you just plunk the bot in the john and when you come home the porcelain is sparkly clean!

[Lindie]

Nice! I coud use a couple of these! :-)

[M.C. Langer]

Awesome! I just made my version of your Walker (photos soon). This will be the next Randofo's Simplebot I will to make! :-) Thanks gor those amazing projects!

[mikeasaurus]

You've got some mighty clean floors with a few of these around

_{(Also, the broom in the video looks sad not being able to participate)}

[iceng]

Exceedingly Excellent ....  times four.

These will become known as your wondrous off the shelf  Bot
epoch instructable years :-)

Your very creative tutelage directs my hands to add some intricate
servo action to enhance the flavor of my next ible.

Now sorry that I didn't add anything to the recent
Disappearing Bike Baskets ible

I relish the future fun involved in making something work..
Thank you

A