Hello Sailors!
We’re thrilled to share some exciting updates on our ambitious Buoy Bot project, which has made significant strides over the past few months. We have been looking for some time to find a project that used a Raspberry Pi so we could learn Python & MicroPython. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or just curious about what’s been happening behind the scenes, this report is for you!
Our journey began with diving into the world of MicroPython, a powerful yet accessible programming language. Thanks to some expert guidance, we’ve mastered the basics and are now confidently writing code to control our Buoy Bot. It’s like teaching a new sailor to navigate – but in this case, we’re teaching a bot! (You can't beat time on the water.)
Next, we rolled up our sleeves and got hands-on with our 4WD kit prototype. Picture this: a robust little cart zooming around the driveway, controlled with precision using a Flysky transmitter. But this isn’t your average RC car – it can drive to waypoints and even move sideways! Imagine sailing your yacht and seeing this nifty bot gliding smoothly to its target without any need to turn – pure magic! P.S. You don't want to hit this Start Mark and make it angry; you've all seen the Terminator movie!
Our ultimate vision is to create an AI Buoy Bot that’s as smart as it is versatile. Equipped with RTK GPS for pinpoint accuracy and wind gear to calculate drift, this bot will be able to hold its position perfectly. Even more impressively, it can move in any direction without having to turn, thanks to its 360-degree movement capability. This means it will stay precisely where we need it, no matter the conditions.
The bot needs to stay in one place in the water, even when the wind and waves try to move it around. Instead of writing tons of rules to handle every possible wave and wind direction, you can teach your bot to learn from past experiences and figure out the best way to stay put.
We’re working tirelessly to bring this vision to life, combining technology and sailing expertise to innovate and improve our sailing experience. Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to be amazed by the final product, hopefully towards the end of 2024!
Thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm. Let’s keep the wind in our sails and our spirits high as we sail into the future with our AI Buoy Bot!
Happy Sailing,
The Buoy Bot Team