Create a Line-Avoiding Spider!

In our Summer ’06 issue of ROBOT, Roger Gilbertson explained how to create hybrid “mutant” robots out of OWI’s Spider 3 and Hyper Line robots,  two currently available light- tracking and line-following OWI robot kits. Here, we (1) post Roger’s detailed explanation for creating a mutant bouncy spider bot that avoids lines , and (2) reproduce an enlarged version of the wiring schematic that shows permutations of motor and sensor wiring when hacking these kits.
--the editors

The photos show a line-avoiding six legged walking robot (S2’B1—see the article in ROBOT, Summer ’06, page 54) that you can easily keep inside a black “corral” surrounded by a wide white border.

Create a large region of black poster board (or similar) surrounded by a wide white band (construction paper) at least 15 cm (6 inches) wide, taped securely to the black area. The robot will “bounce around” the border, looking for a way out. You can create several separate regions and join them by narrow strips to see if the robot can find its way from one region to the next.

MUTATION INSTRUCTIONS

Now lets enter the realm true mutation madness and the actual construction of a mutated robot.  This incorporates the general techniques needed to create all of the variations.

This mutation requires:

Line Sensor (S2)

• Line / edge detecting circuit board (“973-A”)
• Blue dome
• Line tracking sensor board and snorkel
• Two battery holders each with two AA cells

Walking Base (B1)

• Six legged base with two 3V motors

ASSEMBLY

(1) The Walking Base requires a small mechanical modification. Trim away the “fin” inside battery bay door. Cut it down flush with interior wall so both AA battery holders may be loaded inside.

(2) Pack the two sets of AA cells into the battery bay under the body. Close the doors securely, making sure the wires do not get entangled in or interfere with the gears.

(3) Connect the motors, batteries and sensor as follows:

ENVIRONMENT

Create a large region of black poster board (or similar) surrounded by a wide white band (construction paper) at least 15 cm (6 inches) wide, taped securely to the black area. The robot will “bounce around” the border, looking for a way out. You can create several separate regions and join them by narrow strips to see if the robot can find its way from one region to the next. Hope you have fun with this hybrid!

If you create your own original mutant robot with OWI robot or other kits, email us at editors@botmag.com, we’d like to share your project with your readers!
--the editors

MUTATION WIRING DIAGRAM

return to the issue 3 table of contents