Totebot

Background and Inspiration:

Inspired by a teammate’s old project, I spent two weeks designing, machining, and assembling a robot drivetrain to fit inside a plastic tote. This tote robot (Totebot) became a staple of Team 8’s demos at elementary and middle schools to inspire young minds.

Goals:

• CAD and machined a robot drivetrain in two weeks

• Drivetrain needs to be able to carry items inside tote without breaking

• Needs to be relatively fast

Timeline:

• March to April 2019

Features:

• Quad cim tank drive

• Custom CNC machined drivetrain gearbox 

• Bellypan to distribute weight

• Can fit inside a tote

• Top speed of 20+ feet per second

How it Went Down:

I used this project as a chance to simulate a quick turnaround environment such as a build season in robotics. Another teammate and I designed, machined, and wired Totebot v2 in 14 days. We designed it with reliability and serviceability in mind. A belly pan was riveted to the bottom of the frame to distribute the weight away from the tote that the robot sits on, giving Totebot v2 the ability to carry a lot more than its predecessor. It has carried over 120 pounds, and the quad cim drive gives it enough torque to give students rides. Totebot v2 is currently in use as a demo piece so elementary and middle schoolers can drive it.

Background and Inspiration:

Totebot v3 was developed by using CAD software to be the successor to Totebot v2, as well as an exploration of alternative drivetrain layouts for Team 8. Inspired by the Robonauts (FRC Team 118) 2019 robot Flyby, I decided to explore the H-Drive platform.  The center rocker wheels in combination with omni wheels give the H-Drive platform omnidirectional movement that can be simple and reliable. The design was finalized, but COVID-19 halted machined work development.

Goals:

• Design a reliable omnidirectional robot

• Must fit inside a tote

Timeline:

• November 2019 to January 2020

Features:

• H-drive drivetrain for omnidirectional movement

-Rocker style h-drive for maximum traction

• Chain drive is internally routed for safety and packaging

• Quad Mini Cim for driving and Single Cim for strafing side to side

• Weight is balanced with battery and gearboxes on opposite sides