The Pi Robot project began in December
2005. The first couple of years
involved testing several different body plans, microcontrollers,
sensors, servos and drive motors. The next step was the development
of a modular programming frame work for coordinating sensory data and
motor commands into autonomous behaviors. Pi's appearance has changed
over time but is beginning to converge on the design shown in the photo
above. Pi has also experimented with an
omnidirectional vision system (like the one shown below)
integrated into his torso just below his neck.
It
would also be nice to give Pi a self-balancing wheel base, like that
used on the Segway, or an omnidirectional holonomic drive system like
the three-wheeled Rovio shown below.
Click
the links on the left to see more pictures and videos of Pi and Peppy
(both then and now) as well as Rovio. Or sign up for the Pi Robot
eLetter mailing list so you can be alerted to new updates to this
website.
