Well everyone, since I’m on Christmas break, and the next semester (or lack thereof) is looking very enjoyable, it’s time to begin designing the third candyBOT revision.
So here’s the deal: candyBOT v2 was deconstructed. I have some ideas for the next robot, and I am currently planning on attending both the VEX and FIRST World Championships. (pending plans/confirmation, etc…) I have a basic design I have already thought-out, but I wanted to open it up to y’all.
SO: What do y’all wanna see? What types of candy are you looking for? Special requests for random features?
Query: Thoughts on a catapult? Lightly toss Hershey’s bars lightly into the air? :))))
EDIT: Donations are also being accepted. I’m trying to get $500. This means really fast movement, a catapult, maybe two, (short- and long-range), and did I mention attending both the VEX and FIRST World Championships?
Donations go first and foremost towards parts. I already have some parts, as well as a controller and brain. Depending on how well the first drive goes, we’ll see about travel, candy supplies, and possible expansions of the plan/designs.
Want the candyBOT at your competition? PM me. we can talk.
I want to see you use a switch (limit switch, break an IR beam, etc.) or a token recognition system, to select among more than one type of candy, and then have a Rube Goldberg collection of arms, conveyor belts, slides, etc. dispense, lift-up and deliver the correct treat from one of several storage bins on the bot.
The more wacky (but reliable) the mechanism is, the more fun it will be.
And, the more complicated the dispensing and reset process is, the slower you will run out of treats…
The more complicated the mechanism, the more expensive it is. :))
Like I’ve always said. If you give me money, I will build whatever you would like.
Speaking of which, Kickstarter has decided not to accept my idea, and so I can’t use that to collect donations. HOWEVER: If you would still like to help out, donations can be given by going to http://twistedbotz.org/, and clicking on the “Donate Now” button on the side. If you put something like “candyBOT” in the invoice, I will make sure any and all donations are earmarked for candyBOT.
UPDATE: So Kickstarter didn’t work, but I know some people had mentioned the possibility of donating raw parts, so I thought I’d put out the list of parts that would allow me to build the currently-designed candyBOT.
4 HS motors
6 regular motors
HS chain
2 4" high-traction wheels
hardware (particularly a few axles, some screws and nuts, scraps of metal would be appreciated)
The past year, I borrowed much of the supplies from the Twisted Botz, (the team I mentor) however, this year, if I can get enough of these parts, I won’t have to disassemble it afterwards.
Also, if there is enough support, I do have a design for a catapult. Little Hershey’s bars anyone?? :)))
If you feel like going old-school, and just donating money? That is DEFINITELY appreciated. just go to twistedbotz.org, and click on the Donate button, and put something like “candyBOT” in the memo.
