Project summary
Our task, as a class, was to build a fleet of Spectres (hovercraft) and MI6s (controllers). The Spectres and MI6s are required to follow a class protocol so that each MI6 can control any Spectre. During gameplay, two teams of Spectres, Free Team and Mind Controlled Team, compete against each other in an arena. The Free Team attempts to pop all of the balloons on the Dredstar, a passive hovercraft with 6 balloons on it. At the sFame time, the Mind Controlled Team defends the Dredstar by popping the Free Team's balloons. If all of the balloons on the Dredstar are popped, the Free Team wins. If all of the balloons on the Free Team are popped, the Mind Controlled Team wins.
This project is the final project at Stanford University's ME218 Mechatronics sequence. The focus of this project was to construct a wirelessly controlled hovercraft and implementing a standard protocol.
This project is the final project at Stanford University's ME218 Mechatronics sequence. The focus of this project was to construct a wirelessly controlled hovercraft and implementing a standard protocol.
Spectre Overview
Our Spectre features an elliptical base constructed out of a combination of duron and foamcore. It employs a single 6x4 puller propeller and brushless motor for thrust. A servo-controller rudder system attached directly aft of the propeller provides steering control. For lift, a fan blows air into a flexible plastic skirt, which creates a cloud of high pressure air. This high pressure allows the hovercraft to lift off the ground and glide across flat surfaces with low friction. Our balloon popper was constructed out of lasercut acrylic. It uses a rubber band, needle, and motor-drive cam to accomplish a fast poking motion. More details for the Spectre and balloon popper can be found in the Mechanical Section.
MI6 overview
There are two major components of our MI6: Bender's Head and the Holophonor. Bender's Head includes all inputs needed to correctly pair with a Spectre. This includes a knob to select which Spectre to pair with, a pairing request button, and an LED to indicate a successful pairing. The Holophonor includes all inputs needed to control a Spectre after a successful pairing. In order to send a thrust command, the user shakes the Holophonor. To send an orientation command (steering command), the user presses on one of two pressure sensors to determine steering direction. Pressing both pressure sensors simultaneously results in a brake command. Finally, to initiate a balloon pop command, the user blows into a microphone located at the mouth of the Holophonor.
videos
Short video: http://youtu.be/lrj9-QrlpJ0
Long video of the Presentation day: http://youtu.be/amh5SnYCsV8
Long video of the Presentation day: http://youtu.be/amh5SnYCsV8