Make: Projects
Super-Simple Audio Cellbot
Learn how to build a simple robot controlled by the audio output of your smartphone.
Celljoust!
What is a cellbot?
A cellbot is a small robot using a smartphone as the brain. They can be autonomous or remotely controlled over the Internet. There are many different types of cellbots, but they typically share the following features:
- Small; around 6 in. square, less then 1 lb.
- Mobile; uses wheels and motors to get around
- Cheap, compared to other robotics platforms
- Based on open-source code
- Clever; has lots of processing power and sensors due to leveraging smart-phone technology
- DIY; there are kits and plans available, fun to build
- Simple; can be successfully built by the beginner roboticist
How is TRRSTAN special?
TRRSTAN’s servos are controlled via the headphone jack so she does not need a microcontroller. This dramatically reduces cost and complexity.
Steps
Step #1:
Next
- There are two ways to get the parts that you will need for this project. The easy way is to buy a kit from robots.allthingsgeek.com. The harder way is to scrounge the parts yourself and use a protoboard. The basic circiut is a PPM-to-PWM decoder. This is a standard RC controller circuit. To build it you will need a 4017 decade counter. You will also need to find some continuous-rotation servos, or you can modify some standard servos.
