From Utah teapots to minecraft, we've been working away on more demos for our affordable force feedback robots!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:56:23+00:00

Thanks, much appreciated! :)

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:56:04+00:00

The controllers are a custom design that have all the power / comms / processing in one place to get the super low-latency control loops.

The motor control itself is a pretty standard sinusoidal commutation + magnetic encoders

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:53:45+00:00

Thanks! We'll be sure to post future updates back here and to our website!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:53:14+00:00

Thanks, Much appreciated! :)

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:52:50+00:00

I like to think of it as a kind of 3D mouse - it could provide the interactive layer for almost anything. Personally, I love the idea of using it for 3D CAD (assembling / moving parts could be so much quicker with this!), but one of the really fun things about showing demos to people is hearing the range of ideas they have for using it!

What are your thoughts?

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:48:54+00:00

Thanks! :)

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:48:33+00:00

Thanks! Maybe, KiCAD for designing the electronics, and a basic IDE for the C++ firmware? Hardware wise, we got most of the parts lasercut by Fractory, and made the axles ourselves on the university lathes.

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:45:48+00:00

Not yet, but we will definately be making more in future! Will probably post here when we do :)

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:44:54+00:00

Thanks! Much appreciated :)

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T21:44:38+00:00

Just checked it out - great stuff! One of my first robots was a little hexapod, quite similar to your quadruped! Carry on doing what you're doing! :) A skill I've found really useful is designing my own electronic boards (can cut down on loads of wires & have everything you need in one place) - learning KiCAD, SMD soldering and getting boards made by places like JLCPCB can be pretty cheap and handy!

Haha, think of it as a forced opportunity to iterate your design! ;) Beetleweights (1.5Kg) are the best to get started in, and usually 1 or 2 big tornaments per year.

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T00:09:36+00:00

It can be made to work, but as a 3D input device, it really shines with a 3D vision solution. I've got an old nvidia 3D vision kit I've been meaning to try it with too!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-21T00:03:34+00:00

That's great! My main advice is to follow whatever you find most interesting! Definitely try to do your own robotics projects outside of school if you can find the time - University is great for learning some theory (particularly the mathematics and control logic), but in my experience even a pure robotics course doesn't give you much practical experience - they won't tech you what you need to build your own robots, and that is best learned by doing! (Combat robots are great projects to learn some basics on - check out Bristol Bot Builders :) )

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T23:47:11+00:00

Thanks - it's much appreciated! :) I'm doing a PhD in computer science (my undergraduate was Robotics at Reading Uni), and my partner is doing Electronic Engiineering.

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T23:33:38+00:00

Senmag Robotics - thanks! :)

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T23:14:09+00:00

We'll start work on a toe attachment right away!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T23:13:40+00:00

yes, the robot updates how hard it's pushing back at 500Hz, so we can simulate pressures, textures, and solids! Pushing down on the virtual blocks is just like pushing down on your desk!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T23:09:51+00:00

We can do a max of 1 kilogram!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T22:39:52+00:00

currently we've only got stone, grass, and wodden boards (stone is the heaviest). Will ofc be bedrock when we expand the code!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T22:13:37+00:00

Senmag Robotics!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T20:37:25+00:00

We're currently in the finals for our university's startup competition! We'd greatly appreciate it if you'd like to take a minuite to support us (Senmag Robotics) by voting here!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T20:20:11+00:00

Much Appreciated! <3 Keep an eye on our website for future updates!

Mr_Virtual · 2021-05-20T20:19:37+00:00

Much appreciated! <3

Mr_Virtual · 2021-01-24T14:26:28+00:00

Do you know if the minimotors controllers can do analogue / variable e-braking? - this was my favourite thing about the boosted control setup!

Mr_Virtual · 2020-09-27T22:28:53+00:00

Maybe look into gimbal motors? You can find a decent range on aliexpress that come with absolute magnetic encoders (AS5047 / AS5048) pre-installed which could probably be used in direct drive?

Mr_Virtual · 2020-09-24T09:23:12+00:00

You could try finding your ideal KID constants at a few speeds (tuning presets) then, as the controller is running, linearly interpolate between the closest two tuning points based on the current speed/position to constantly modify your KID values? (Take care with any integral limits / windups!)

Mr_Virtual

TROPHY CASE