(The Decline of Western Civilization)
Robot Couch Can Drive You to the Fridge and Back
With a Raspberry Pi and USB gamepad controller letting you run riot on your sofa, this student project is couched in innovation.
Sometimes, getting up off the couch to grab a drink is far too time consuming. What if you could drive the couch to the fridge instead?
Well, your dreams of an automated couch have come true. Nine engineering students at the University of New South Wales in Australia have designed a robotic couch that can be controlled using a standard USB gamepad.
Featuring a custom-built steel chassis with mecanum wheels instead of legs, the "robocouch" can reach speeds up to 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) per hour. All up, the ensemble weighs approximately 100 kilograms (220 pounds) and cost AU$3,000 ($2802, £1717) to put together.
The wheels are driven with 12V electric scooter motors which are all connected to a central controller to regulate speed. In the armrest, a Raspberry Pi also interfaces with the central controller.
While the couch has been in development for a year, the students hope that it will move beyond a cool party trick and wheel itself into an autonomous future.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...
Robot Couch Can Drive You to the Fridge and Back
With a Raspberry Pi and USB gamepad controller letting you run riot on your sofa, this student project is couched in innovation.
Sometimes, getting up off the couch to grab a drink is far too time consuming. What if you could drive the couch to the fridge instead?
Well, your dreams of an automated couch have come true. Nine engineering students at the University of New South Wales in Australia have designed a robotic couch that can be controlled using a standard USB gamepad.
Featuring a custom-built steel chassis with mecanum wheels instead of legs, the "robocouch" can reach speeds up to 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) per hour. All up, the ensemble weighs approximately 100 kilograms (220 pounds) and cost AU$3,000 ($2802, £1717) to put together.
The wheels are driven with 12V electric scooter motors which are all connected to a central controller to regulate speed. In the armrest, a Raspberry Pi also interfaces with the central controller.
While the couch has been in development for a year, the students hope that it will move beyond a cool party trick and wheel itself into an autonomous future.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...