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Linux-Controlled Segway Robot

Posted by timothy on from the idle-rich-adjust-the-throttle dept.

ptorrone writes "It was just a matter of time until the Segway technology would be used as a robotics platform. University of Southern California Robotics Lab's Segway RMP (Robotic Mobility Platform) has a lot of great information if you're looking to convert a Segway to a robot. On the site there are videos as well as instruction on how to build your own." Update: 07/13 21:30 GMT by T : Dr. Andrew Howard writes with an important clarification about the project: "This is *not* a standard Segway HT that we have converted to robotics applications. Rather, this is a customized, limited production unit that has been specially modified by the manufacturer. The web-site does *not* show how to convert an existing Segway HT into a robotic platform."

6 of 123 comments (clear)

  1. falling over by spiritu · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I particularly enjoy the shot of it falling over.

    Seriously, though. Why would you use a Segway instead of, say, a four-wheel RC car?

  2. Catchy headline by beaverfever · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Please, humour me...

    Is the fact that this thing runs on Linux so important that it should lead the headline? Really, is the story about the robot or the OS it uses?

    Would there be a similar headline if it used XP or OSX?

    I'm just wonderin'.

    --
    RTFM; please, I beg you.
  3. Linux by Fux+the+Pengiun · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Whenever there's a story about a Segway on /., some troll asks "Yeah, but does it run Linux?" Well, buck up, buttercup, the answer is YES!

    --
    Consensual sex is boring.
  4. Re:Seems to kinda defeat the purpose... by jericho4.0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But that's what makes the segway a good choice as a platform. It's ability to support 200 lbs of shifting mass over changing terrain lets you design the rest of the robot with a lot of latitude. Building a custom platform with the same range of specs would be very expensive.

    --
    "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
  5. Re: yeah, torque is cheap by ubiquitin · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A typical 200 pound adult riding a segway is centered directly over the axle and actively balancing to stay there (so I understand, I've never ridden one). On the other hand, a typical lawnmower is located several feet away from the same axis of rotation. Big difference. Will there be enough weight on a typical segway to provide enough torque to actually accomplish the horizontal push you need? Easily fixed with sandbags or redesigning to put the blades directly under the wheels I suppose, though.

    I give an off-hand estimate that my lawn mower weighs 75 to 125 pounds. It is self-propelled, but the self-propelling gear ratio is not enough to move it by itself: you still have to push. Automatic mowers don't really need self-balancing like the Segways have, but kicking back and watching the robots attack your low grass is a savory idea.

    --
    http://tinyurl.com/4ny52
  6. They are not the only ones by goatbar · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hmmm... this is not the only group doing this. I put my hands on another group doing exactly this couple weeks ago.

    Also got to ride a segway. I thought they were pretty lame before I tried one. Especially off road.