DOC OCK
Over the course of this summer, I engaged in a five-week program where I collaborated with a team to conceptualize and construct what is popularly referred to as a Battle Bot. These robots were intended to compete against other bots in a thrilling battle arena at the conclusion of the program.
Functional Cardboard Prototype
Initially, a significant portion of our time was dedicated to brainstorming and developing potential designs and prototypes, considering our various limitations, including time, budget, and available resources. The inspiration for our Battle Bot's name and theme, "Doc Ock," was drawn from the infamous Spiderman villain, with its claw-style weapon resembling the mechanical tentacles associated with the character.
Our initial design featured two claws instead of one, connected by a single servo on a rod to enable vertical movement. However, as we transitioned from cardboard to metal construction, we recognized that the additional weight would make it excessively heavy and impractical for the bot's intended purpose.
Claw Movement
Our final design was much more compact, with one claw with two servos attached to either side. Although we had to pivot, this change offered us much more weapon mobility.
Overall we had difficulties with the bot's general movement, but we captured some moments when it moved smoothly. Placing the motors and wheels inside the bot proved to move harder, especially with the weight of the claw on top.
During the final fight, we had time between battles to fix our bots. We attempted to mount our wheels to the outside of the bot, with an extra spin in the front for stability. Although it still had trouble moving, this proved a more successful method.
