Tom Cruise Toy
SBU: Freshman Design Innovation
The Tom Cruise Toy
An ultrasonic sensor based robot utilizing a four-bar linkage system for movement with the ability to recognize obstacles in its path.
The Goal
To create a robot with sensing capabilities that utilizes a complex linkage based mechanism for movement.
Build Process
Building the toy essentially narrowed down into four key areas: Conceptual Design & Testing, Mechanical Assembly, Electrical Circuit Construction and Software Design.
Each step had its own set of obstacles and difficulties. However, by divvying up tasks based on the strengths and weaknesses of each group member, it was possible to cultivate a strong work dynamic with clear direction and focus.
Mechanical Assembly
After testing multiple movement mechanisms we decided that a four-bar linkage mechanism provided the movement that most closely replicated a crawling motion.
At this point I constructed the linkage using the ‘motion-gen’ assembly for reference and had a groupmate design the rest of the body to hold the necessary electrical components.
Conceptual Design & Testing
Initially, we grappled with the idea of a robot that climbs a wall using magnets, or a turtle that shoots water to put out a fire
(red LED in this case).Utilizing the parts provided by the mechanical engineering department and testing various linkages and designs utilizing the university’s ‘motion-gen’ program, we realized that these ideas would be out of scope. We did however stick with the idea of a crawling motion in general.
Software Design
The program written depended on the ultrasonic sensor to detect items about 2” away from the robot. Once the robot detected an obstacle it would stop the motors, play the mission impossible theme song via the piezo electric speaker and would them move on once again faster to ‘attack’ the target.
Electrical Circuit Construction
The main task for building the circuit was integrating the ultrasonic sensor with the two motors and the speaker. The motors were controlled using an H-bridge.
I maintained a rather strict color code for wires and made everything fairly easy to trace and follow should there be any bugs or malfunctions that needed troubleshooting.
Looking Back
As far as projects go this was not the most complex. My group and I spent hours trying to figure out how to impress and wow by designing something that is technically challenging and worthy of a mechanical engineering course. We discussed all sorts of ideas and plans but at the end of the day we realized something just as important. Complex doesn’t mean better.
To me, an engineer is someone who makes life better. That can come in the form of providing immense utility, convenience or safety. But when the crowd filled with our peers heard the Mission Impossible theme ring out through the lecture hall, the smiles and cheers from the people around us taught me another way engineering makes life better. By making people smile.
Sure, I learnt how to use an Arduino microcontroller and had my first foray into software engineering. Yes, I got to revisit my electronics experience and got to research mechanical linkages and complex movement mechanisms. And of course, I dabbled in arts and crafts by sticking Tom Cruise’s face to the front of a robot. But the most impactful experience that I got from this project was the experience of making something that made my classmates smile. And that is a lesson I will never forget as an engineer.