Justin Ratliff's ping robot article

1
...J2R Scientific...
http://www.J2RScientific.com
55 Stillpass Way
Monroe, OH
45050
How to Build a J2
by, Justin R. Ratliff
Date: 12/22/2005
[phone]
[e-mail]
The J2 robot (Figure 1.) from J2R Scientific is a
compete robot ready to run out of the box. Its
design is part of the REOP (Robotics Education and
Out Reach program of The Robotics Club of Yahoo
or www.trcy.org
The J2 has been a fun project. My original idea was
to create a security robot after the 9-11 attacks.
After dedicated thought into all aspects of what a
security robot would require, I decided it was better
to start small so I could more easily model the
behaviors and systems I would need for a security
robot. This led me to create the J2 robot, which
does bare a passing resemblance to a somewhat
famous movie robot of the mid 80’s.
Figure 1.
The J2 allowed me to experiment with Subsumption programming and the new
PING sonar range modules from Parallax, inc.
In the creation process of J2 I decided I really needed to focus on what I wanted
from my robot and what I thought other people would want to see. I decided my
robot needed to look interesting; be easy to add components to; easy to remove
components from; and be easy to use.
With these guidelines in mind I chose the Basic Stamp II as the micro-controller. I
decided on a standard sensor compliment of Sonar for navigation, IR for close up or
edge detection, CdS photo cell for light level and a multi-input port for multiple switch
inputs from either a keypad or several bump sensors. I decided on two continuation
rotation servos for drive motors and a servo controlled neck for the sonar to look up
and down. The J2 did not need to turn the sonar side to side (I’ll explain why). I
wanted a speaker for tone generation, to give J2 a voice.
I also wanted to experiment with the new Text-to-Speech Emimic board from
Parallax, inc. And have the ability to add more subsystems and components easily.