Update time! So with Manchester coming up in a few weeks, I've been looking at ways that I can improve Barróg to sort out its problems. The first two have to do with the front claws. I noticed that machines could easily slip out of my grip due to the slippery nature of HDPE, so I've elected to drive a screw through each claw point for better grip. The screws will only be poking out a small bit, less than a centimeter, but it should give me some much needed grip. I may even put some green ink on them before battles so that I can see where I've gripped other robots after (probably not though). the second change is that I've noticed that the claws can sometimes catch on the sides of the lifter, so I've elected to chamfer the sides of them to prevent this from happening in future.

The major change however has been the need for a self righting mechanism for when I'm on my side. the bolts did a fine job for the most part, keeping the machine on its wheels and under the weight limit, but they look ugly, and prevent the machine from self righting on its side. So, I've been working on a design that would incorporate self-righting wings into the bot, where they are activated by the lifter raising via a connecting cable.


Quick sketch of the idea


Test-able prototype made from an old offcut


Unfortunately I cannot upload a video of the test myself, but suffice to say, there were problems with the prototype:


  • The cable I used, which I quickly swiped from the charger of one of the six drill batteries I now own, snapped. I need a stronger cable, but this was obvious.
  • The wings wouldn't go out far enough to self right. The hinge point needs to be lower and closer in to the wall.
  • All of the bolts on one side ended up weighing 100g, twice what the 8mm bolt used to weigh.


My current plan is a revised version of these wings, using some green 12mm HDPE offcuts instead, twisted 90 degrees so that the width is the side taking the weight. Less bolts will be involved overall, and I'm looking at using torsion springs to keep the wings inside when not in use.


An idea of what I want to do. Green piece in the drawing is not to scale