This video highlights the achievements I have been able to make over the six weeks I have done this project. The video illustrates one beetlebot in the arena by itself, and then three beetlebots.
This photo represents all the work I have done on this project. It shows how much much I have progressed on this project. I started with a simple frame, struggling to create my first beetlebot. Now, my beetlebots are mcuh more durable and are are of better quality.
The overall goal of this project is to improve the beetlebot overall. I was able to do so, by changing numerous facets of the beetlebot(listed in journal). These changes include changes in position to many extraneous objects on the beetlebot. The changes I have made have had a two-fold effect on the beetlebot project.
1. These changes are improving the idea of a standard beetlebot dramatically. These changes have made the beetlebots more durable, usable and consistent.
2. These changes will lead to the increase of the success rate of the beetlebot project. One of the reasons I took this project on was because I saw how many people failed this project and I wanted to change that. I believe these new changes are going to improve the success rate to over 50% for newer makers and a 90% success rate for makers who have a couple weeks of making/tinkering experience in Summer Fab Lab or Design Thinking.
There were two goals to this project. Firstly, the beetlebot should become better for other to use and should become better overall. Isn't that the focus of most projects(except original research)? My project improved the beetlebot, primarily regarding consistency and durability. After completing said tasks, I created a step-by-step instruction manual so that others can replicate the result of the beetlebot. The beetlebot is a relatively easy project, as it only requires skills regarding the creation of laser cutting files, the use of the laser cutter, the use of hot glue guns and the use of a soldering iron. It also doesn't require many materials and has a unit cost of under $5. Though it is easy to make and is accessible to many, the project has a very low success rate. Many senior members at my school would say the project has a success rate of around 30%, which is much lower than a project of its caliber should have. Therefore, I have embarked on this quest to create a better step-by-step instruction manual so others, especially younger children, have the ability of creating their own beetlebot. In order to do so, I had to create a beetlebot. And another. And another. At the beginning, I was trying to figure out the wiring of the motors and the limit switches.
I began to experiment with the weights that were normally were placed at the back of the beetlebot.
As time went on, I realized that I had to change the material that I was using for the antennae.
I thought of a combination fo the two when a perfect solution was introduced to me.
My last issue was the center of mass. The beetlebots constantly leaned toward one side or the other. I laser cut a base plate to glue to the battery holder that had engraved lines which told people where to put the next piece. This helps the issue a bit but does not solve the issue completely .
A project like this is very dependent on what the creator does and will never be perfect. I am confident that I have solved as many problems as possible and have created a step-by-step instruction manual that will yield better results than other instructions that have been put out there.
Initial body of the beetlebot
Trying to figure out the wiring of the beetlebot
Figured the wiring out. But more experimentation had to be done...
I realized that for convenience's sake, I should probably have a on/off switch. This hasn't been a part of any other beetlebot designs before in the past
Without heat shrink tubing, the beetlebot doesn't work. It just stays still. The heat-shrink tubing acts like the tires on a car.
The weights at the back should be stacked up on each other so that the center of mass is preserved.
My first trial of the bamboo antennae. They worked much better than the paper clips, but still wasn't right.
An almost final beetlebot. It has the best antennae I could find, and the weights maintain the center of mass.
Experimentation with the center of mass.
Engraved lines on the base plate had engraved lines that told creators where to put the cross piece with the motors.
Beetlebot with the center of mass baseplate. When this was completed, it went much straighter than the other prototypes I had made.
The beetlebot was a very long, difficult project that I was able to finish within about two months. I am glad of my work on this project, and have a lot to reflect about.
Making things simpler therefore makes them more efficient.
Weights at the Back of the Beetlebot
Antennae
Direction of Beetlebot/Center of Mass
Miscellaneous