March, 2021

Tracked robotic platform

DIY tracked mobile base.

Overview

This project’s objective is to create a tracked robot for ROS development, that looks less like a science project and more like an actual product. These kind of platforms are increasingly used for surveillance, search and rescue, tasks involving mapping, and a plethora of other scenarios. The top cover doubles as a payload bay, and can be modified to allow for many payload configurations.

Commercially available robotics products are extremely expensive for hobby-level tinkering. On the other hand, most DIY platforms lack on finish and payload versatility. I intend to show that something clean can be made with not too many tools. Let’s blur the line between hobby development and commercial platforms!

This project makes use of one of my previous projects for control, the Ground Control Station.

Unlike most of the hobby DIY projects, I’d like this to be a ready to go platform, just flip a switch and use it.

The platform is featured in the Ground Control Station Hackaday Prize Promo video.