3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Sparky - DIY Web-Based Telepresence Robot

Sparky - DIY Web-Based Telepresence Robot
The name Sparky is based on an acronym for Self Portrait Artifact  Roving Chassis I an awkward title for an art project begun in the early 90s. Since that time Sparky has evolved from an oversized RC toy with a couple of baby monitor video cameras into a fully web-enabled autonomous telepresence robot. There have been many different versions over the years, using a wide range of technologies and solutions, but always with the same goal  to provide a platform for live video telepresence and remote autonomous roving. Most of the gear required for this project is available off-the-shelf and much of what I used was already in my shop from previous projects hopefully you will have some similar gear, but be prepared to improvise, dumpster dive or hit Craigslist for missing parts.

Sparky uses Skype as the foundation for the video chat, as well as some custom software (and source code) we provide for basic wheel-driving servo controls. You can customize this code to add functionality to your robot - including more servos, gripper arms and sensors& You are limited only by your imagination and ingenuity.

Keep in mind that each robot will be different, so this guide is by no means complete instructions. Think of it as a starting point, a foundation upon which you design and build your own unique Sparky creation.

 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up
 

Step 1Parts - Chassis and Drive Train

Parts - Chassis and Drive Train
Chassis and Drive Train: Vex is popular educational robotic kit. Its a lot like a traditional Erector set, with the added inclusion of sophisticated servo motors, wheels and gears (VEX also includes its own programming language and computer board for making complete robots, but we are not using these for Sparky).
« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
34 comments
Sep 28, 2011. 4:05 AMinfinity11 says:
What vex motors/servos do you use and is it possible for me to use other ones.
Sep 28, 2011. 12:20 AMinfinity11 says:
Is it possible to make without using vex
Apr 27, 2011. 8:07 PMKnexFreek says:
LOVE IT
Apr 15, 2011. 2:54 AMmhabovatiak says:
Great, it remembers me The Big Beng Theory - Sheldon with his Exterior device ;)
Nov 5, 2008. 8:33 PMdkfa says:
wow...I remember something like this in back to the future 2!!! Marty was in the future cafe 80's. They had this automated talking thing. But it had the bulky pld monitor, not LCD's like today. 2nd!
Nov 5, 2008. 9:16 PMmg0930mg says:
We don't count comments here.
Nov 25, 2010. 6:09 PMI3uckwheat says:
+bump
Nov 11, 2008. 7:24 PMtemp says:
there's no rule against it. OREOS!!
Nov 11, 2008. 7:38 PMmg0930mg says:
Well, it is a childish game started by losers on youtube. They felt like a big deal when they posted the first comment on a smosh, or fred, or 'hot ' video. It is childish and dumb. Please do not do it.
Dec 30, 2009. 4:32 PMRobomarkov says:
Nth!!!


:-P



[now if mg0930mg could just point me in the direction of the diaper pail...]
Feb 14, 2010. 3:40 PMfoxtrot4697 says:
I think that Sparky should be..... a monster truck!
Jun 1, 2009. 8:07 PMdavismccoy says:
im building one and im using a windows brain and its gonna work awesome.. i just need an electric wheelchair to make it go.. im using an itouch app and netmeeting to use it or if anyone has a different opinion it would be greatly appreciated.. and i dont have an internet connection on it soo i need some ideas
Dec 21, 2009. 9:00 AMlucek says:
not a bad one. I'd use Linux myself but no reason windows shouldn't work. but to your question just get a usb wifi card. $9.00 for the minimal one required.
Dec 21, 2009. 8:56 AMlucek says:
the mac mini is still expensive. get a $50 mini itx board and build a computer with it. as an added benefit get a dc to dc adapter and forget about the inverter. save some money and room on your bot.
Apr 20, 2009. 1:04 PMrobots199 says:
I am looking to buy the 2009 Mac Mini, Do you like yours? Is there anything I should know before buying it?
Mar 19, 2009. 7:56 PMmrjubjub says:
How long will the 12v battery last?
Jan 11, 2009. 1:53 PMFaqMan says:
Love the robot just wanna ask is there an other brain you could use instead of mac just asking.
Mar 19, 2009. 5:00 AMidogis1 says:
Make board probably can take input from mac, windows, and linux. You may have to tweak the source code though.
Nov 5, 2008. 9:06 PMmg0930mg says:
Great job. The robot is really cool.
Jan 21, 2009. 4:40 PMjbklego says:
We don't count comments here.
Jan 21, 2009. 6:37 PMmg0930mg says:
Very True. =D
Nov 13, 2008. 2:06 PMabadfart says:
can we add a claw??
Nov 11, 2008. 7:29 PMtemp says:
That's awesome!!! But you might want to add more protection to the make controller. I have a feeling it's going to be kicked by someone's foot.
Nov 11, 2008. 4:22 PMPotatoesgod says:
Thats really trippy. Can't wait till they add working arms. xD
Nov 5, 2008. 8:06 PMshadycuz says:
First? Great Ible =)
Nov 5, 2008. 9:06 PMmg0930mg says:
We don't count comments here.
Nov 7, 2008. 10:24 AMshadycuz says:
We have a "be nice" comment policy. Please be positive and constructive with your comments or risk being banned from our site.

And we use nice comments =) please follow the rules. Thank you and have a nice day =)
Nov 8, 2008. 5:05 PMmg0930mg says:
My comment wasn't rude, or mean just as clark said. All I said was we do not count comments it is a useless comment. Nice I'ble.
Nov 7, 2008. 11:09 AMclark says:
that comment wasn't really rude...
Nov 8, 2008. 5:06 PMmg0930mg says:
Thanks!
Nov 11, 2008. 7:23 PMtemp says:
shadycuz's comment wasn't rude, and neither was yours but people can count comments if they want to there's no rule against it. GOLDFISH!
Jan 21, 2009. 6:38 PMmg0930mg says:
Yes, but as I said above, it is a childish game.
Nov 6, 2008. 9:23 AMoldsnake says:
I would like a more detailed wiring description. The project is awesome. By the way, that needle nose pliers are rusty as hell, dude. LOL
Nov 6, 2008. 7:39 AMbustedit says:
i like nuttela, too

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
57
Followers
8
Author:sparkyrust(Gomi Style)
Marque Cornblatt was born in Baltimore, Maryland and now lives in San Francisco. He holds an MFA in Conceptual Arts from SFSU; has a diploma in theater technology from the Baltimore School of the Arts...
more »