Dr. Robot's Sputnik is a ready to use mobile robot platform with the complexity expected of a research tool, but the simplicity of use required by hobbyists and enthusiasts.
It allows you to develop advanced robot applications such as remote monitoring, telepresence and autonomous navigation/patrol.
The platform has two 18 cm (7 in) wheels and can carry an additional payload of 10 kg (22 lb.). The whole robot weights only 6.1 kg (13.5 lb.).
Sputnik’s high-level control of the robot is maintained by a remote or local PC/server communicating by a secure wireless link. Low-level functionality is managed by an onboard digital signal processor while computationally intensive operations are performed off board. The result is a robot that is lighter, draws less power, runs longer and is dramatically less expensive than a fully bundled or self-contained system. Moreover, since primary processing resides in a server, any hardware upgrades to the central unit are shared by all the robots it controls.
Using the wireless module, the system can upload all sensor data (including encoder sensor readings) to a PC or server at rates in excess of 10Hz. Streaming audio (8Hz x 8bits) and video (up to 4 fps) either for direct monitoring or for processing by high-level algorithms. Commands and instructions sent to the X80 via the same wireless link also pass at rates exceeding 10Hz, providing real-time control and access.
Modes
Manual Mode: the robot can be controlled by mouse/keyboard or joystick.
Auto Patrol Mode: the robot will wander about using its obstacle avoidance system.
Idle Mode: will remain powered-on and standby.
Hardware
Two 12V DC motors each supply 300 oz.-inches of torque allows the robot to move at a top speed in excess of 1 m/s (3.3 ft/s). Two high-resolution (1200 count per wheel cycle) quadrature encoders mounted on each wheel provide high-precision measurement and control of wheel movement.
The robot offers full WiFi (802.11b) wireless, multimedia, sensing and motion capabilities and comes with a wide range of sensor (Ultrasonic Range, IR Distance, Human Motion Sensors), color camera, and audio modules (Speaker, Microphone), sufficient to serve in any variety of applications.
Powered by separate RC servo motors, the integrated camera head can pan and tilt independently
Sputnik is expandable and you can install additional sensors (sonar sensors, temperature sensors, acceleration/tilting sensor) or even specialized modules.
Software
The Robot includes all WiRobot development software components (for MS Windows 2000 and up), enabling easy access to all data and information in a standard Microsoft Windows programming environment (e.g., MS VB and VC++). Under the approach of using a separate PC for high-level control, there are no onboard restrictions on a mobile system’s processing power, memory and storage.
For users of non-Windows operating systems (e.g., Linux), Dr Robot provides the raw communication protocol for direct integration with any other system/device.
