chassis design

my initial design was to use a tank chassis from an idea I got looking at RC tank combat websites. These guys build 1/6th scale RC tanks of military tanks which made it to production and then shoot paintballs through the turrents at each other's tank. Neat idea I think.

See the picture for the chassis with wheels, belts and the motors in place.

robotic platform

Now for the platform I've chosen the BS2 chip from Parallax since it is a good starter chip and language and was recommended by a book which is right up my alley (123 Robotics Experiments Evil Genius)

If you get this book, I highly recommend buying the parts from Hobby Engineering as they have the majority of the experiments covered in bundle packs.

Having said all that, I am most of the way through the book and only have a few experiments left. I have begun to work on some of the more advanced stuff, like GPS integration and H-bridge motor controllers (also from Parallax).

starting up

this is about my epic journey to build a robotic lawnmower. I am starting with a several phased plan as I have limited time and resources to devote to the project. Initially the project aims to do the following:

1. Run self contained (no starting and/or stopping it)
2. Mow my back yard
3. Include object avoidance
4. Have a safety trigger for a dead stop
5. Scale to run in the front yard.