Make A Prototype Inspection Rover

Project by tonyandjody

In my line of work I spend a lot of time under mobile homes doing repair work. I thought it would be handy to have a camera I could send in to find the problem and maybe save a few extra trips under!

Step 1: First thing to do was make a stable platform.

I had some old rc car parts laying around so I started with 2 Tekno SCT 410's.

Step 2: Modification

The chassis were stripped and I modified, cut, stretched, and welded a new chassis with dual front ends.

Step 3: Functional steering, Main beam

The next step was to get it moving!
 

• Step 1: I installed the main beam between the 2 shock towers.
• Step 2: I modified and installed the 2 servo brackets for the steering

Parts Used

• (1) 585458 Actobotics 15" aluminum channel (modified)
• (1) 585470 Actobotics 90 degree dual side mount A (pair)
• (2) 575148 Actobotics standard servo plate D (modified)

Step 4: Lift Arm

The next step was to create the lift arm for the camera
Step 1: I installed a servo gear box at the rear base
Parts Used

• (1) SPG400A-CM-CR7 Actobotics channel mount servo gear box
• (1) 585444 Actobotics 4.5" aluminum channel (Modified)
• (1) 584494 Actobotics 90 degree hub mount bracket
• (1) Radio Shack 1.5k potentiometer
• (1) 585580 Actobotics flat triple bracket (receiver mount)

Step 2: I made the arm with bracing and attached to gear box.
Parts Used

• (1) 585456 Actobotics 13.5" aluminum channel (modified)
• (3) 545360 Actobotics 90 degree quad hub mount C

Step 3: I Made a battery box
Parts Used

• (2) 585440 Actobotics 1.5" aluminum channel
• (2) 545360 Actobotics 90 degree quad hub mount C

Step 5: Pan Tilt System

The next step was to create the pan tilt system
Step 1: I installed the top lift servo on the arm (keeps the camera system level with the base)
Parts Used

• (1) 575144 Actobotics standard servo plate C
• (1) 637110 Actobotics standard Hitec servoblocks
• (1) 585422 Actobotics flat dual channel bracket
• (1) 575124 Actobotics standard servo plate B

Step 2: Pan Tilt system
Parts used

• (2) 525124 Actobotics Hitec lightweight servo hub
• (1) 585584 Actobotics flat bracket B
• (1) 585468 Actobotics flat single channel bracket
• (1) 575144 Actoboticsstandard servo plate C 9modified)

Step 6: The final result is a good stable machine that will go pretty much anywhere i need it to!!!

Electronics used

• 6 Hitec servos
• Futaba 8 FG Super Radio
• 10 channel receiver
• Castle Creations Mamba Monster Xtreme
• Tekin Pro 4 3300kv motor
• Castle Creations BEC
• Radio controlled switch
• GoPro Hero 4 Session Camera

NOTE:
It takes a good deal of servo and radio programming to get it all to work, especially the 2 wheel, 4wheel, and crab walk steering!
Source: Instructables