Tutorials

How to Build a Amazon Warehouse KIVA style robot with Mecanum Wheels

2012-05-19 Dan

Amazon warehouse KIVA robots can roll forward, sideways, and turn on the spot thanks to special Mecanum wheels. A single wheel has many rollers on the outside edge, turned at a 45 degree angle. Here’s a short video example of what I mean.

What’s really odd about Mecanum wheels is that half turn one way and half turn the other to go in a straight line.

Each wheel is driven by a DC motor. Pairs of motors are connected to 2 channel motor drivers. The two 2-channel drivers are connected to an Arduino that listens for instructions from the pilot (me, in this case).

In 2015 I made an update to this model and put it on a laser cut frame.

ask me and I’ll draw a wiring diagram

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Gimbal: Off the shelf parts have arrived

2012-05-16 Dan


I’ve also got an Arduino, some motor drivers, a 9DOF sensor, and a mess of wires. I’ll probably need at least one more trip to Lee’s for a few more bits and bobs and then I’ll be able to assemble the first test rig.

Would you like to know more? Contact me or comment below.

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Addressable LED strips for your funky lighting projects

2012-05-14 Dan


These babies are run from an Arduino which means they can be made to react to their environment. Want to add a clapper? Change the colors based on who is in the room? Show the traffic on your WAN as a decibel meter? Strips can be cut and soldered to make different patterns, or flexed in different directions to wrap around shapes.

$300+S&H. Comes with 5m strip, 12v5a power supply, Arduino UNO, wiring diagram, and software (via download). Custom programming services extra. Contact me and lets light up your life.