Chassis & Drive System

On "GB", the chassis and the drive system are all in one. The gear box IS rather interesting... it is a dual motored unit with a magnetic coupler that allows the platform to run straight forward if both motors are running. If only one motor is running, the magnets will unlock allowing the unit to turn like a normal two motored robot. I found this little box in a surplus catalog for $6 many years ago with the idea of building a robot on it. Now I realize it is a gearbox from a Big-O-Trak. When I ordered it, however, I thought it was much bigger and much stronger than it turned out to be so the scale of the robot has come down.

Related Links: Modified Big-O-Trak

Brains

Nothing for now. I plan on using my Stamp2 board on this one.

Sensors

None for now. IR Sensor and bumpers planned

Electronics

Relay motor driver board. Basically a relay version of an H Bridge, it has three control lines, Left Motor Direction, Right Motor Direction and Go/Stop. The board takes three bits to drive; Left Motor Direction, Right Motor Direction and Go/Stop.

Botboard 1 up front, relay board, original vision board.

Same shot, right side.

Rear view of bot with BS carrier board. The board mounted is where BS2 will reside when on the bot.


Left rear - Relay board is mounted, battery too. I guess this *could* be the front???