HMSTR

Created on 28 Nov 2015

An elegant hamster for a more civilized age

HMSTR (Highly-Maneuverable Spherical Test Robot) will be an autonomous mobile robot housed inside a highly advanced off-the-shelf chassis: a hamster ball. Designed for companionship and fun, this robot will be be able to perform ball-related tasks. Like rolling around. And, uh, providing companionship. Hey, it's a pet that doesn't poop, what else do want. Other attempts at building such a companion have focused on putting an omnidirectional robot inside the hamster ball (e.g. xkcd's pet). We hope to reduce complexity and increase reliability by attaching the robot directly to the hamster ball. The robot will drive a motor on a central axis of the sphere, allowing HMSTR to move in one direction only. HMSTR will also have a weighted flywheel that will provide stability, and allow the robot to turn. By having the robot drive on one axis, and not requiring any wheels in contact with the inside surface of the ball, we expect HMSTR to perform as a worker and friend for hours.

@jessea

Jesse Anderson

@enumbers

Evan Numbers

@sbuckley

Sean Buckley

Part Cost Quantity Total
Arduino Uno - R3 - DEV-11021 - SparkFun Electronics $24.95 1 $24.95
Arduino
McMaster-Carr $2.33 1 $2.33
Screws
McMaster-Carr $1.24 1 $1.24
nuts
Amazon.com : Lee's Kritter Krawler Mini Exercise Ball, 5-Inch, Clear : $1.99 1 $1.99
Hamster ball
McMaster-Carr $3.53 1 $3.53
Screws
SparkFun Bluetooth Mate Silver - WRL-12576 - SparkFun Electronics $24.95 1 $24.95
Bluetooth chip
Amazon.com: Duracell Procell 9 Volt Batteries, Pack of 12: Health & Pe $15.87 1 $15.87
Batteries
Amazon.com: uxcell 2 Pcs Black Plastic 9V Cells Battery Holder Case Bo $1.76 2 $3.52
Battery Holders
Rocker Switch - SPST (round) - COM-11138 - SparkFun Electronics $0.50 2 $1.00
Switches
Pololu Universal Aluminum Mounting Hub for 4mm Shaft, #4-40 Holes (2-P $6.95 2 $13.90
Motor hubs
Pololu 25D mm Metal Gearmotor Bracket Pair $7.45 2 $14.90
Motor Mounting Brackets
Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver for DC or Steppers - 600mA - L293D ID: 807 $2.95 2 $5.90
Motor Drivers
McMaster-Carr $23.21 1 $23.21
Acrylic Sheet for chassis
Pololu - Machine Screw: #4-40, 5/16" Length, Phillips (25-pack) $0.99 2 $1.98
screws
Pololu - Machine Screw: #4-40, 1" Length, Phillips (25-pack) $1.29 1 $1.29
screws
Pololu - Machine Hex Nut: #4-40 (25-pack) $0.99 2 $1.98
nuts
McMaster-Carr $0.77 4 $3.08
standoffs
McMaster-Carr $0.74 4 $2.96
standoffs
McMaster-Carr $0.51 10 $5.10
standoffs
McMaster-Carr $0.51 10 $5.10
standoffs
Amazon.com : Bullet Weights Disc Fishing Sinker (4-Pack), 4-Ounce : Sp $5.99 1 $5.99
Large Weights
500 Service Unavailable Error $11.83 1 $11.83
small weights
McMaster-Carr $0.82 8 $6.56
brackets
Pololu - Machine Screw: #4-40, 1/2" Length, Phillips (25-pack) $0.99 1 $0.99
screws
Pololu - 47:1 Metal Gearmotor 25Dx52L mm LP 6V $19.95 4 $79.80
Motors
Amazon.com : Lee's Kritter Krawler Jumbo Exercise Ball, 10-Inch, Clear $17.38 2 $34.76
The Hamster Ball itself
Project Totals: 68 $298.71
Track 1 Base Budget: $250.00
Preferred Vendor Budget Bonus: $50.00
Remaining Budget: $1.29