Stair Climbing ROV Platform

The Stair Climbing ROV is a versatile, track-based robotic system designed to enhance self-sufficiency and productivity in home and industrial settings. Its a bot that does your chores for you.

Project Overview

The rover bot is envisioned as a modular, multi-purpose robot aimed at automating labor-intensive tasks, reducing human effort, and leveraging advancements in robotics for practical applications. It combines traditional productivity tools with modern technology, such as FPV (First-Person View) control, multiple attachments, and a hybrid power system, to serve purposes like snow removal, material transport, lawn mowing, and future factory automation.

Inspired by back breaking, time sucking, Canadian snow removal. I can't just use a snowblower because it won't have a cool controller or let me sit inside and drink coffee while I clear the driveway and mow my lawn. It has to be fun. I want us to all have our own Jarvis/R2D2/C3PO type of thing and I honestly believe that is realistic for less than $2000. It will need to haul at least a ton bc I will get so fat once I don't have to do anything, and I want to ride it.

General Details

Core Design Features

  1. Mobility:

    • Track-based with skid-steer functionality for all-terrain capability and tight turns.

    • Transmission system enables switching between high-torque (low-speed) and higher-speed modes.

  2. Power System:

    • Hybrid setup with four 12V car/truck batteries and a 3-5 kW gas generator.

    • Operates in battery-only mode for light tasks; generator activates at 30-50% battery level or for high-power needs.

    • Smart charging optimizes costs using time-of-use pricing.

  3. Modularity:

    • Multiple mounting points for attachments like plows, ride-on platforms, and lawn mowers.

    • Quick-swap docking system for versatility.

  4. Control:

    • FPV with multiple cameras and a 10 km-range DJI FPV kit for remote operation.

    • GPS automation planned for preset routes (e.g., garbage day or mowing the lawn).

  5. Sensors:

    • Proximity, obstacle detection, and environmental sensors for safety and adaptability.

Applications

  • Home Use: Snow removal, garbage transport, yard work.

  • Industrial Use: Material handling in factories or warehouses.

  • Agriculture: Plowing, planting, and harvest transport.

Development Roadmap

  1. Prototype: Basic tracked chassis, remote control, and manual attachments.

  2. Enhanced Functionality: Transmission, lights, FPV improvements, and battery optimization.

  3. Automation: GPS navigation, obstacle avoidance, and smart home integration.

  4. Scalability: Specialized attachments (e.g., snowblower) and environment-specific refinements.

Bill of Materials (BOM) Highlights

  • Arm: 2x NEMA 34, NEMA 23 (long/short), NEMA 17 motors, linear actuator, bearings, and custom arms.

  • Base: Mini skid steer tracks, 2x drive motors, gearboxes, 4x batteries, gas generator, wheels, Raspberry Pi 5, DJI FPV kit.

  • PTO (Power Take-Off): Options include a 4-5 kW DC motor or generator shaft-driven system for attachments like a $10 lawn mower blade.

Power and Runtime

  • A 4 kW motor runs approximately 1 hour on four 100 Ah batteries under full load, extendable with partial loads or generator support.

Key Technologies

  • Motors: DC 500W x 2 - Ideally Brushless

  • Control: Raspberry Pi for automation and FPV integration.

  • Materials: Lightweight metals or composites for durability.

Project Goals

The rover bot aims to empower individuals with affordable, efficient automation tools, drawing from ancestral productivity methods while integrating modern robotics. It prioritizes modularity, cost-effectiveness, and practical utility, with potential for scalability into larger production systems.

This project reflects a scientific, evidence-based approach, focusing on quantifiable performance metrics (e.g., power efficiency, runtime) and logical design choices to maximize output while minimizing costs and labor.

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