Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout
haven't archived this post yet. have a subscription? use the importer!

Content

Here's next week's video, early for Patrons. This one goes out publicly on Tuesday 9th Nov. I thought I'd try something totally different this week, so here's some worm robots!

Files

Previews only

Worm Robots - PREVIEW VERSION

I really want to try building more robot inspired by nature. walking robots have many complex joints and maths to make them work, so I thought I'd try something much simpler. The common Earth Worm is an interesting creature, so I tried to make a robotic version. links from the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Texxu3p7I8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthworm#Locomotion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peristalsis 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 Bearings from: https://simplybearings.co.uk/ 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

Anonymous

Fun! Maybe worth trying as a soft body robot?

XRobots

I have at least two projects with Silicone casting coming up before the end of the year, so I'll be doing more of that sort of thing.

Anonymous

Interesting as always James. Curious as to why you use a USB power supply for the Arduino and not a voltage regulator such as an S9V11F5 (which outputs a constant 5v) run off the main lipo? Perhaps it is just simpler?

XRobots

I always like to isolate the logic from the motors, I should probably be doing something else.

Anonymous

is that for voltage/current spikes? ie is it bad practice to run use a voltage regulator off the main battery?

Scott Cress

Great video James. Thoughts that I had as your larger worm was walking around: 1) If you started with the worm in its extended state as default and then use the contracted state to do the locomotion you may get a better result of motion. The contracted state would create a "tread" grabbing the ground. It looked like the way you started with the contracted state and then the extended state lifted the surface off the ground removing any traction that might have been gained. 2) you could use the linear actuators to turn the worm that may be amazing with the short distance it can move.

XRobots

That's interesting - I'm not sure if the sections get shorter it would cause the worm to get dragged along the ground on either side of the contracting section depending on how many non-contracted sections there were, so it may never get anywhere. I guess I'd have to try it.

XRobots

I need to think about this some more ;-) It looks like the millipede legs have multiple sections that would by extended and contracted at once. Also the body stays a uniform length with the legs walking underneath.

Anonymous

how well does it run if you put it on it's side? that way it has contact with the ground at all times, and it grows and shrinks in width as it expands and contracts like a worm does. might increase the friction issues though...

Anonymous

also, giant metal version run from wiper motors sounds like an excellent Colin Furze collaboration idea!!!

XRobots

It seems to stay in one spot - a bit like when it's the right way up on a smooth floor.