'Tis the season for holiday cheer, and as you adorn your Christmas tree, the excitement of discovering what lies beneath on the morning of celebration is undeniable. Ever tempted to sneak a peek early, risking a spot on the naughty list? What if there was a way to explore the tree's treasures discreetly using robotics? In this video, Milos delves into the concept by creating a Christmas ornament-shaped robot. With the press of a button, this robot will transform into a small mobile robot equipped with a live video feed camera and night driving lights. But how does it navigate among the other ornaments on the tree? Fear not – it can winch down to the ground for a quick look and pull itself back up again, leaving no trace.
Watch the Video:
Downloads and Links | Bonus Videos | Bill of Material | Discussion
Design & Assembly
Milos starts by brainstorming a few rough sketches and ideas, which provide a roadmap for the project. The goal is to create a Christmas ornament (a sphere with a diameter of no more than 100mm) that transforms into a drivable robot.
The sphere shape is chosen so that the robot can blend inconspicuously in with the other ornaments on the tree. The robot is 3D printed from shiny red silk PLA filament. Hidden inside, a tiny winch! When it's time to explore, trap doors open, wheels emerge, and the robot descends gracefully from the tree.
Electronics
Integral to the project's success is the small (but powerful) Arduino Nicla Vision board. The Arduino enables Wi-Fi connectivity and allows Milos to control the robot's motors, while also live streaming footage from the embedded camera to a PC via Wi-Fi (RTSP).
Powering the robot is a 9V battery regulated to 5.1V using the LM317T linear voltage regulator. For night driving, Milos incorporates six small LEDs controlled by an N-channel MOSFET. To address issues with continuous rotation servos during testing, a level shifter using BJT transistors is added; this successfully corrects any distortions in the motors.
The comprehensive schematic and Arduino Nicla Vision pinout provide a closer look at the project's electronic configuration.
Software
The software has two components: the Arduino Nicla Vision code and Node-RED software. Milos expands the Arduino Nicla Vision code from the RTSP example in the OpenMV IDE, incorporating PWM and MQTT controls. PWM for the Nicla Vision was implemented using Arduino’s Timers functionality.
The Node-RED code serves as the interface for controlling the robot. While alternative microcontrollers can be used for MQTT controls, Milos leverages a Raspberry Pi setup with Node-RED and an MQTT broker for efficient control.
In a nutshell, Milos' MR-04 Robot Christmas Ornament is like holiday magic with a tech twist. It’s an inconspicuous decoration that morphs into a roving robot with a live video feed—pretty cool, right? This perfect blend of festive cheer and cutting-edge fun turns your Christmas into a tech-powered celebration!
Downloads and Links:
Bonus Videos:
Bill of Material:
Bill of Materials
| Product Name | Manufacturer | Quantity | Buy Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arduino Nicla Vision ABX00051 | Samsung | 1 | Buy Now |
| PLA Filament Multicomp Pro MP007445 | Dialight | 1 | Buy Now |
| Position Servo Motor Multicomp Pro MP-708-0001 | Dialight | 1 | Buy Now |
| Continuous Servo Motor Multicomp Pro MP-708-0002 | Microchip | 2 | Buy Now |
| Linear Voltage Regulator LM317T | Panasonic | 1 | Buy Now |
| MOSFET IRL540N | Panasonic | 1 | Buy Now |
Additional Parts:
| Braided fishing line |
| M3 screws |
| M2.5 screws |
| M2 screws |
| Small piece of PTFE tubing |
| Basic electronic components |
| Perfboard and wires |
| 9V battery |
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