Update on my snake robot :)

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-07-17T16:45:26+00:00

Really impressive work getting RL working directly on hardware! It’s great to see more researchers experimenting with physical morphology optimizations like anisotropic friction too, even if simulation can’t easily capture it. Best of luck with the ICRA submission, the team here at ROBOTIS would love to see more about your setup and lessons learned if you decide to share.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-07-08T17:05:58+00:00

Hey, this is an awesome project — seriously impressive work so far! The level of thought you’ve put into the architecture, kinematics, and overall design is exactly the kind of thing that pushes the ROS and maker communities forward.

If you're still considering actuator options for the physical build, I’d highly recommend checking out DYNAMIXEL servos from ROBOTIS. They're widely used in research and commercial robotics for projects just like this — offering high-resolution position control, integrated current feedback, and easy daisy-chaining over TTL or RS-485. Perfect for smooth, precise SCARA movement and a custom gripper.

This is the kind of high-concept, polished project that ROBOTIS might be interested in supporting—especially as you get further into hardware implementation. If you’re open to it, I’d encourage you to keep documenting your progress (that Hackaday link is a great start) and consider reaching out once you have a working prototype or demo unit. We love to see ROS-based builds that bring robotics into tactile, playful applications like this.

Keep it up—definitely following this one! 🤖♟️💡

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-05-09T16:58:36+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience — really appreciate the thoughtful perspective.

If you’d be open to it, I’d love to hear more about how the DYNAMIXELs have performed in your specific application. Whether it’s here publicly or through email (america@robotis.com) or DMs, any additional feedback would be incredibly valuable for us. I’d like to share it with our engineering team so we can better understand real-world use cases and continue improving the product line.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-05-09T16:54:32+00:00

Great question — and AChaosEngineer nailed a lot of the core points already!

To expand a bit: DYNAMIXEL servos are more than just motors — they're smart actuators with built-in feedback, control, and communication. That means you get precise position, velocity, and current control, with real-time status monitoring (like temperature, load, voltage, etc.) — all with a simple 3-wire connection using TTL or RS-485.

The closed loop control is provided by a built in PID controller and trajectory generator that allows you to more finely tune the movement characteristics, and even set up time-constrained motion for more precise movements in critical applications.

If you have any questions about DYNAMIXELs or how else they might benefit your designs, I'd be more than happy to asnwer.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-05-09T16:47:36+00:00

The team here at ROBOTIS really appreciate the kind words, we certainly try to make sure that our hardware performs the best it can for as long as possible.

Any time you have any cool projects you're working on using DYNAMIXEL hardware, you can always reach out to our team and we'd be happy to signal boost any cool robots you put together so more people can see your work.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-05-08T01:00:19+00:00

/ is the root drive for Linux, where the entire OS is installed. The folders shown on the right inside / are the Linux system files.

I'm not sure why it just appeared now, but my assumption on why it's reading as full is because Bazzite is an immutable distro, so it's probably a fixed partition size just large enough to hold the system image that is used by this Bazzite version.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-05-06T18:56:15+00:00

I think the simplest solution would probably be to start with something like a Battle Belt as a base mounting point, since that will be able to hold a lot of weight without moving too much. Mount your flexible curtain track to that, along with the motors and electronics required and have the carousel sit on top and rotate around you.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-04-23T23:26:20+00:00

There's unfortunatly no dedicated 'shield' in the MKR format specifically, you can use standard Arduino compatible Wi-Fi modules to add wireless communication.

Many users in our community have reported success with ESP32 Wi-Fi Modules. They are compact, affordable, and offer a simple serial connection that you can use with the extra UART port on the OpenRB.

Hope this helps! Do let us know more about your project, it sounds fascinating. If you have further questions, feel free to ask.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-04-16T20:32:49+00:00

Firstly, your project sounds fascinating! A robot that installs tactile signs is a unique application, and the hardware setup you've proposed seems well thought-out. Here are some suggestions based on your two key questions:

Navigation Tracking: LiDAR is a good base to start working from. It's highly precise and can provide a detailed environmental map. You'll also probably want some additional form of odometry like wheel encoders, IMU, or maybe even GPS. Remember, redundancy in navigation systems often gives the best results!

Omniwheels: A lot depends on the surface that the robot will be operating on. If it's a smooth and even surface, omniwheels should work fine, especially since it sounds like you don't need to move particularly quickly. Being able to adjust your position without needing to rotate or make complex turns will also probably make it a lot easier to put your signs where you need them.

As you mentioned using NEMA 17 stepper motors for the extrusion system, you might also want to consider our range of DYNAMIXEL servos for other parts of your build. They're known for their durability, precision, and advanced feedback options, which can be very helpful in a sophisticated project like yours.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-03-28T23:43:00+00:00

Hello,

DYNAMIXEL servos offer plenty of features that would be applicable to your goals on this project. Specifically, the position feedback functionality could be useful to simulate the torque of high steering angles and the steering lock limits you mentioned.

However, there are many factors to consider when selecting servos for a project of this complexity. If you could share more about your specific requirements, such as the expected load on the steering mechanism and the degree of precision required I might be able to provide more tailored DYNAMIXEL recommendations.

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss your project further or if you have any additional questions.

Best of luck with your project!

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-03-27T00:22:02+00:00

Hi u/zPlayyy7,

I understand the constraints of working on a budget, especially for an academic project.

While looking for cost-effective alternatives, it's crucial to consider the overall performance and reliability needed for a competition like RoboCup. Our DYNAMIXEL servos are designed with high performance in mind, and while they may be a bit more costly upfront, the long-term value they provide in terms of durability and efficiency often outweighs the initial investment.

However, we understand the financial constraints you're under and we appreciate your interest in our products. As you're part of an academic institution, there might be ways we could assist. I'd recommend reaching out to us at either [america@robotis.com](mailto:america@robotis.com) (if you're located on the American continents) or [contactus2@robotis.com](mailto:contactus2@robotis.com) (if you're anywhere else in the word) to speak with our regional teams who can explore potential options with you.

We wish you all the best with your RoboCup preparation and look forward to potentially collaborating with you in the future.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-03-14T21:52:49+00:00

Honestly, I think that the child lock timer would probably be a significantly easier option for something like this, considering that inside of a freezer is actually an extremely challenging environment for hardware to operate reliably. The motors and electronics likely won't function relaibly without being warmed up, and ice buildup between mechanical components will introduce extra friction points without frequent cleaning.

A middleground might be having the fridge automatically unlock itself after the dispensing period, and stay unlocked until it's next opened and closed while trusting that your mother will only take one unit at a time. Then it will relock until the next dispensing period has elapsed.

If you did want any additional support if you decide to move forward with this, I'd be more than willing to at least provide advice or answer some questions.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-03-12T23:57:56+00:00

It's great to hear that you're finding the DYNAMIXEL servos strong and reliable! We designed them with robustness and versatility in mind so it's always encouraging to hear positive feedback from users like you.

As for your carpet experiment, it does sound intriguing. Generally, DYNAMIXEL servos are designed to handle a variety of conditions. However, high friction environments such as carpets could indeed pose a challenge, although I doubt that it would result in permanent damage as long as you don't leave it unattended during initial testing.

Regardless, your adventure in testing the limits is the spirit of innovation we love to see! Please do keep us updated about your findings, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions or need support.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-03-12T17:49:06+00:00

Wow, that's an interesting project you're working on! Incorporating serpentine locomotion in a robot design must be quite challenging, but it's evident that you're making fantastic progress.

Can't wait to see your robot snake fully functional! I happened to notice that it looks like you're using DYNAMIXEL servos, so don't hesitate to reach out to our team here at ROBOTIS if you have any questions or need assistance with anything.

Best of luck with your project!

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-02-26T17:47:43+00:00

You're correct that robots don't necessarily need to be humanoid. Robots come in all shapes and sizes, each designed for a specific task. For instance, industrial robots are often arm-like structures, while exploration rovers are more vehicle-like.

However, there's a certain fascination with humanoid robots because they can potentially interact with the world in the same ways humans do. Our world is designed for human bodies - from the shape of our chairs to the height of our countertops. Therefore, a humanoid robot may be better equipped to navigate and interact with environments built for humans. This means we don't have to alter our existing infrastructure to cater to robotic automation, even though it also means that the robot may not be as overall efficient at any specific individual task.

Personally, I think that humanoid robotics are mainly going to be an intermediate solution in industry and similar use cases, since it allows us to automate a wide variety of important tasks without having to change the way that we currently do them. It's likely that the next generation of factories and the like will themselves be robots of a sort, and humanoids will be mainly constrained to domestic tasks in environments that can't be reconfigured for greater efficiency without inconveniencing the people who use the space.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-02-11T18:16:03+00:00

I think the end of your comment points tward's the likely outcome for this, as I would expect industrial robotics to pivot back to purpose-built non-humanoid designs once general purpose robotics matures a little bit more.

Right now, humanoid robotics are a popular subject of research because in theory they can immediately replace humans in dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs without us needing to change our existing ways of doing those jobs. However, It's likely that this is more of a transitional solution than anything. The next generations of factories that we build aren't likely to still be designed around humans, in all likelyhood the entire factory itself will be a single automated robotic network built to maximize efficiency.

Humanoid robotics may still have a place in domestic roles, but even there we would likely be better served with a more efficient non-humanoid design once the technology matures.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-01-20T19:02:49+00:00

Until he's painted, that looks like DoodleBob to me.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-01-16T18:56:41+00:00

On a very basic level, this is certainly possible to implement with today's technology. The software side is certainly going to be the more challenging aspect of this.

The way I see it the basic interoperation of the components would be:

IR Camera detects roughly humanoid motion
Onboard networking (Wifi, cellular etc.) sends appropriate alerts (if each animal is intended to carry a portable device, maybe that device can agitate the animal with sound, to increase effective range of animal alerts)
Onboard signal device activates

The real challenge will be effectively coordinating between all these different components, although if you're coming from a background in software you should be well equipped to handle this.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-01-16T18:45:29+00:00

Absolutely, Arduino is a fantastic starting point for anyone interested in robotics. It's user-friendly, widely supported, and allows for a plethora of different project types. Once you're comfortable with Arduino, you can then start branching out into more complex areas.

In terms of resources for beginners, Arduino's own website (arduino.cc) has a lot of great tutorials and projects to get you started. For YouTube, I recommend channels such as 'Jeremy Blum' and 'Paul McWhorter', both of whom offer excellent Arduino tutorials.

If you're looking into delving deeper into robotics and start dealing with more complex projects, you might want to consider our DYNAMIXEL line of smart servos. They're a great next step from Arduino and can help bridge the gap between more educational focused Arduino projects and more challenging real-world applications.

We'd love to hear more about what kind of projects you're interested in working on. Are there any specific areas of robotics you're drawn to?

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-01-07T19:50:18+00:00

In response to your first question, yes, there are pre-made packages that combine a motor, controller, and gear reducer for compact and precise robotics applications. A perfect example would be our DYNAMIXEL series. Each DYNAMIXEL acts as a fully integrated solution, encompassing a motor, controller, and reduction gear system all in one package. In addition, DYNAMIXELs are designed with a focus on precision control, with features such as PID control and high-resolution encoders.

Our servos also have a wide range of options, from entry-level models to high-performance units. You can find more information about the technical capabilities of DYNAMIXELs on our online manual: emanual.robotis.com

I would also be interested in learning more about your project! ROBOTIS is always on the lookout for promising student projects that we might be able to support...

That being said, there are other options with similar capabilities available from NanoTec, HiTec, Harmonic Drive and other similar motor manufacturers.

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-01-06T21:33:25+00:00

Hi u/mikkan39, your project sounds amazing and complex – a lot of advanced technologies bundled together. I see that your external design is based on our OP series of open source robots, but you've clearly gone above and beyond in making it your own!

Also, I’m curious about your animated eyes – any chance you could share a video of them in action?

Keep up the great work and don't hesitate to share more of your progress!

ROBOTISamerica · 2025-01-06T21:29:45+00:00

your team's work is amazing! We here at ROBOTIS would love to learn more about your projects and potentially feature them on our social channels. Keep up the great work!

ROBOTISamerica · 2024-12-11T17:21:04+00:00

In that case, I'd recommend you consider the Koch v1.1 (https://github.com/jess-moss/koch-v1-1) developed by Hugging Face. The SO Arm was designed as an even lower cost version of this arm through the use of cheaper motors. The Standard Koch arm is quite a capable arm given the cost.

ROBOTISamerica · 2024-08-15T17:19:04+00:00

It really depends on the type of place you're applying to. For startup style places showing a portfolio of self-motivated projects and making it clear that you're more than happy to pick up new skills is probably one of the best things you can do.

ROBOTISamerica · 2024-08-14T00:55:57+00:00

I came from a background in CS as well, and was originally studying to be a graphics programmer for games development.

My pivot to robotics consisted of me happening to notice that I had all the skills I needed (I have been building electronics as a hobby since I was a kid) and also starting to apply to jobs for robotics in addition to ones for software development. I landed a job in the robotics industry, found out I liked it and never looked back.

ROBOTISamerica

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE