We are four friends who go to the University of Waterloo for mechanical and mechatronics engineering. After being obsessed with playing volleyball for the past year and being surprised at the lack of high level training support there was for spiking (like literally no machines for setting a ball) one of our members attempted to build their own robot setter in four months. It didn't work as well as he wanted, but after hearing about the idea, the four of us all decided it was a unique problem filled with everything you could want in a venture, and most of all — it would be fun! We realized that with our unique skillsets, built up from our multiple internships, design team experience, and passion projects, we could bet on ourselves and build something amazing.
Initial ideation led to sketches, led to identifying sub-systems, led to a prototype, and finally a demo at Socratica Symposium.
In March 2024 we decided to finally do something about this idea that we all kept talking about. We sunk a couple hundred dollars to buy some plywood, motors, hardware, electronics and came out with a crude but functional ball launching prototype. A small sub-mechanism of what we envision the final robot to look like, but a step in the right direction.
Our very first prototype consisted of amazon parts, plywood, and some stuff we literally pulled out of the garbage. Never the less, it launched balls.
Implementing ROS as the brains of our operation, we allow for remote communication, efficient isolation of subsystems, and an all around user-friendly experience. At the moment it may seem a bit overkill, but in the long run it will simplify the integration of all the separate sub-systems.
Two 775 Pros are used to spin up our launching wheels using a high current motor driver and Arduino micro as a motor controller. Encoders are currently being implemented to enable closed loop control and allow for precise speed control.
Off the high of successful demonstrations and seeing our idea come to life, we find ourselves more motivated to build than ever!
The first step in mind includes revamping our first prototype, the launching mechanism. This means reducing the form factor, restructuring the electrical architecture, and making sure future mechanisms are as easy to implement as possible.
After that comes the next of the many subsystems, the wrist mechanism. Currently in the project planning and design phase, our goal is to have a working wrist mechanism by August 2024. (?)
CROW BOT TO THE MOON!