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Exploratory project in Embedded and Multi-Agent Robotics

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Mad_Bot

Exploratory project in Embedded Robotics and Swarm Algorithms

Warning: This is an ongoing project, and the repository is under construction!

Features

  • Small PCB-based frame, minimum 3D printed parts
  • ESP32-S3 MCU with vector instructions, acceleration for neural network computing and signal processing workloads
  • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 and BLE connectivity
  • Omnidirectional movement
  • Quadrature encoders for precise movement
  • 8 MB PSRAM for image processing
  • 2 Megapixel camera and ToF sensors for running embedded robotics algorithms
  • Powered via USB-C or 3000mAh LiPo battery with inner protection and external charging circuit
  • Load sharing circuit for operating the robot while charging
  • Buck-Boost converter for powering the MCU and peripherals
  • 6V regulator for powering the middle power range motors
  • ESPNOW, ESP-WIFI-MESH or ESP-BLE-MESH for communication between several robots
  • Integrated MEMS microphone for sound recognition
  • micro-ROS support

Operation demo

Forward movement Backward movement Rotation

Charging mode

Board layout

Fusion360 design

Future work

  • Add a BOM
  • Design a carrier extension in Fusion360
  • Test battery charging circuit
  • Test load sharing circuit
  • Test basic functionality with motors and ESP32-S3
  • Test Wi-Fi
  • Motors library (in progress)
  • Encoders testing
  • Device firmware (in progress)
  • Sensors testing (in progress):
    • Camera
    • ToF
    • IMU
    • MEMS microphone (requires PCB bug fix)
  • Remote controller based on ESP32
  • PSRAM memory testing
  • ROS2 integration via micro-ROS (in progress)
  • Web page with control interface and telemetry
  • Digital twin for simulation in Gazebo and Mujoco
  • ESPNOW and Mesh experiments
  • Multi-agent algorithms
  • Computer vision algorithms
  • Mini SLAM experiments

Fix list for new hardware revisions

  • MEMS microphone footprint flipped
  • Non-fixed Buck-Boost mentioned in the schematics instead of 3.3V fixed
  • 6V regulator doesn't disconnect the load if disabled because of topology - extra switch needed
  • Battery connector is hard to remove - source power switch needed
  • Better (aligned) placement for camera & ToF sensors