remote wagon - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: IDEAMAN
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 26, 2012, 04:45:27 am
content: Hello, I am trying to find out how i can make my work wagon follow me by having a sensor on my belt and the wagon will follow me and stop 10' behind me. I would like to use a 12 volt battery and dc motor . What electronics would i need and how to hook it up.Thank You any help would be great..

author: PeteInTexas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2012, 05:18:53 am
content: Why can't you just simply push or pull the wagon?

author: IDEAMAN
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 26, 2012, 05:30:11 am
content: I am looking to make this a project i have always wanted to do. Just a crazy idea i came up with.

author: TerminalJack505
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2012, 05:49:24 am
content: You may be able to cobble something together using a couple of IR-sensitive phototransistors (for direction and perhaps distance), an ultrasonic range finder (for distance), a microcontroller (the brains), some RC servos (steering) and a motor. You'd probably also want a remote control for--at the very minimum--emergency stop. One of those key fob transmitters with a matching receiver on the wagon, for example.You could wear a IR LED on your belt and the phototransistors could track it. Put each of them on either side of the wagon and point them forward. Careful calibration will allow them to know when the wagon is pointing straight at, to the left of, or to the right of the IR LED.The ultrasonic range finder would keep the wagon at the proper distance and (hopefully) keep it from running anyone over.Just some thoughts.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2012, 06:01:45 am
content: my dad built one of those robot follower golf carts in the 70's or 80's. i forget what he said the circuit was composed of.... i'll ask-sj

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2012, 06:10:14 am
content: You will want to look into robotics. To start with try to find a kit that is already designed that does something close to what you want. Do not expect to go from scratch to a working solution instantly. Expect to spend a year at least building up your knowledge of how to do it. There are lots of robotics forums out there. Do some reading up on things like sensors, servos, mechanicals, gearing, power, and all the other necessary items.Here is something simple to give you inspiration:You should start small and build kits like that and then work up.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2012, 06:30:18 am
content: Quote from: PeteInTexas on March 26, 2012, 05:18:53 amwhere's the fun in that?

author: PeteInTexas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2012, 12:29:00 am
content: Quote from: Psi on March 26, 2012, 06:30:18 amthe part where you don't get run over from behind because you did sloppy unit testing on the firmware.

author: PeteInTexas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2012, 12:46:01 am
content: Quote from: IDEAMAN on March 26, 2012, 05:30:11 amIts a nice place to work when you get support to pursue crazy ideas like this.

author: MrOmigoodness
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2012, 12:49:31 am
content: Quote from: PeteInTexas on March 26, 2012, 05:18:53 amLaziness my friend, and who doesn't want to freak people out by having a random wagon following you???

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2012, 06:56:07 am
content: ben heckendorn has a video up on element14 that does just about what you want :http://element14.com/tbhs