Servo - 201306

Tiny Wanderer Date: 2011 Hardware License: GNU GPL Software License: GNU GPL

Photo provided by Dallas Personal Robotics Group The Tiny Wanderer robot is the result of a year-long series of DIY robot workshops at the Dallas Personal Robotics Group that took new users through the process of building an entire robot from scratch. The process included designing and building a PCB for an Atmel AVR microcontroller, laser-cutting a robot chassis, and combining the parts into a small differential drive robot with several sensors for light detection, edge detection, and line following. The Tiny Wanderer robot made the rounds of Instructables, MAKE Magazine, and other DIY websites in 2011. Many robots were built in a variety of materials including acrylic and wood. A full kit of parts is available through the Maker SHED for $179 USD. All design files, schematics, and source code are available for download. Design files for laser-cut and scroll saw versions are provided.

Get the design: http://svn.dprg.org/viewvc/dprg/Tiny Wanderer/ Buy a Tiny Wander kit: www.makershed.com/Tiny_Wanderer_Complete_Kit_p/mstw01.htm

Aracna Open Source Quadruped Platform Date: 2012 Hardware License: GNU GPL Software License: GNU GPL

The Aracna Open Source Quadruped Platform is a project of Cornell Creative Machines Lab. The design intentionally uses non-intuitive motor commands for locomotion in order to create a challenge for new gait learning algorithms, developed through evolutionary algorithms. The design uses a combination of off-the-shelf and 3D printed parts. One unique design characteristic is that unlike other legged robots, the legs do not contain any servos. All servos are located in the body and are connected to leg joints through mechanical linkages. A paper is available that provides more technical detail on the design, “Aracna: An Open-Source Quadruped Platform For Evolutionary Robotics.” Component costs are estimated to be $1,400 USD. At this time, no kits or assembled units are available for sale.