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Standing still on one wheel (Patreon)

Published:
2021-06-28 09:58:22
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Here's next week's video, early for Patrons. This one goes out publicly on Tuesday 6th July.

I've been meaning to try a project like this for a while, and it seemed like a good progression from the inline wheel balancing robot from a few weeks ago.

There are quite a few improvements to make on this one, but I plan to build a larger/taller version at some point in the future.

Files

Previews only

One-Wheel Balancing Robot - PREVIEW VERSION

I've recently built various robot that can balance using physical gyroscopes, on a single edge, and on inline wheels - using one and two gyroscopes. I've also built various two-wheeled balancing robots which, so I thought it was time to combine the two and make a one-wheel balancing robot, which can also stand still on the spot. You can support me on Patreon or buy my Merchandise: *************************** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/xrobots Merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/james-bruton *************************** Affiliate links - I will get some money of you use them to sign up or buy something: *************************** Matterhackers 3D printing supplies: http://www.matterhackers.com?aff=7500 Music for your YouTube videos: http://share.epidemicsound.com/xrobots *************************** Other socials: *************************** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xrobotsuk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xrobotsuk/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/xrobotsuk *************************** CAD and Code for my projects: https://github.com/XRobots Huge thanks to my Patrons, without whom my standard of living would drastically decline. Like, inside out-Farm Foods bag decline. Plus a very special shoutout to Lulzbot, Inc who keep me in LulzBot 3D printers and support me via Patreon. HARDWARE/SOFTWARE Below you can also find a lot of the typical tools, equipment and supplies used in my projects: Filament from: https://www.3dfuel.com/ Lulzbot 3D Printers: http://bit.ly/2Sj6nil Lincoln Electric Welder: https://bit.ly/2Rqhqos CNC Router: https://bit.ly/2QdsNjt Ryobi Tools: http://bit.ly/2RhArcD Axminster Micro Lathe: http://bit.ly/2Sj6eeN 3D Printer Filament: http://bit.ly/2PdcdUu Soldering Iron: http://bit.ly/2DrNWDR Vectric CNC Software: http://bit.ly/2zxpZqv Why not join my community, who are mostly made up of actual geniuses. There’s a Facebook group and everything: https://www.facebook.com/groups/287089964833488/ XROBOTS Former toy designer, current YouTube maker and general robotics, electrical and mechanical engineer, I’m a fan of doing it yourself and innovation by trial and error. My channel is where I share some of my useful and not-so-useful inventions, designs and maker advice. Iron Man is my go-to cosplay, and 3D printing can solve most issues - broken bolts, missing parts, world hunger, you name it. XRobots is the community around my content where you can get in touch, share tips and advice, and more build FAQs, schematics and designs are also available.

Comments

Philip Brechler

I like the fan idea for turning the robot, it adds to the madness of the whole idea of using gyros. Maybe the wheel could also tilt or split and make it steer by leaning the robot so the round surface of the tire makes it go in circles

XRobots
>>62697039

I like the tilting wheel idea, I could probably just make the whole thing lean at an angle sideways to steer while driving, but it wouldn't work while it's stationary.

Scott Cress

I was thinking a second set of gyros spinning perpendicular to the other two may help with the ability to steer left and right. The control for that would be like the first set only it's tilt is controlled by the remote.

Scott Cress

Heavier mass you said? Like break rotors? Or just solid steel rings?

XRobots
>>62705157

They'd need to be able to do 360' in their control axis though, so it could 'keep steering'.

Scott Cress
>>62705157

But they could be heavier and smaller right? Thinking the diameter of a baseball / lawn bowling / croquet ball. We're only talking about shifting the balance. Or you could do something like your old BB-8s (those were the videos that started me on your channel) where you throw the weight in a circle and stop it short.

XRobots
>>62705157

They probably could be. A reaction wheel would do it, but only when the robot is stationary, because otherwise the reaction wheel has its own gyroscopic precession when its spinning which generally has some other unwanted effect if the robot leans in any direction.

Matt Keveney

For steering, can't you just tilt in the desired direction? ...seems like you shouldn't need any additional hardware. What am I missing?

Matt Keveney
>>62811048

Ah, yes. I suppose you also might need a larger tire to prevent the wheel slipping out from under.. Love the project btw!

Anonymous

Cool robot! I like the motorcycle style tilt turn idea too. Electric unicycles can turn pretty tightly.

Anonymous

Maybe robot arms to spin like a figure skater?

Andrew .

To turn, you could split the bottom wheel into two concentric wheels butted up next to each other. Maybe it defeats the purpose of calling it "one wheel" but you could make them dome-shaped such that the robot isn't passively stable.

XRobots
>>62987180

That's basically a reaction wheel which would work provided it was dead upright so it didn't cause any of its own gyroscopic precession.

XRobots
>>62994484

That's interesting - I guess it would only work as long as I didn't want to lean into corners while driving.

TV_Walkman

A pretty crazy idea, but say you have control over the position of the wheel along its axle. Could you use the imbalance from an off-center wheel to turn?

XRobots
>>63145226

Yes I think that leaning/rolling would make it turn while it was driving. I could probably do it with the existing gyros as long as I could hold it at an angle and get it back again. If something else, like an off-centre wheel or moving mass cased it to lean, then the gyros would try to fight it, so there's quite a bit of control to sort out.

Anonymous
>>62987180

I guess with the figure skater arms the momentum would remain constant though? I unfortunately don't know enough physics and have never spun fast enough off axis to test it for myself!