Palbot is a robotic assistant that seamlessly documents your work. At NuVu inconsistent documentation of project progress is a big problem, often students forget to document their work due to its inconvenience and lack of implementation in students' workflow.

 Palbot utilizes a pressure sensor to detect when an object is placed on it as well as a servo driven camera arm to focus on the object. Palbot also utilizes a strip of neopixel LEDs to express “emotion” and light the shot. 

Project Statement

Client Profile

• Lloyd is a NuVu student that enjoys working on circuitry and electronics based projects 
• Lloyd has difficulty documenting their work and progress 

Many NuVu students have challenges with properly documenting their work. This lack of documentation leads to difficulties later on when trying to summarize a project in presentations as well as a scramble to record what they can at the end of project. Pushing documentation is a burden that has fell upon multiple coaches although lack of documentation is still a persistent issue. 

Research

Summary

Precedents

Alonso Martinez's 3D-Printed Animated Robots!

These robots use simple actuation and lighting to convey a massive amount of emotion. 

Guy Hoffman

Guy Hoffman makes very expressive robots that help out in a workspace, his robots usually consist of very simple arms and joints. 

Viu

Viu is a compact desk based scanner that automatically flattens images of items on your desk, its a very simple design but is elegant and welcoming.

Sketch Exploration

Prototype 1

These first few prototypes are technical prototypes to test features of the final project including a light diffuser, using pressure sensors with the Arduino and running a dc motor based off of a pressure sensor. 

Prototype 2



This prototype was testing possible layouts for the robots armature. Discoveries here led directly into the design of the next prototype including a one pressure sensor system and ensuring accessible cable management.  

Prototype 3

This Prototype is a proof of concept for controlling more complex servo movement with a pressure sensor. This prototype is very similar to the final version except it lacks a camera and LEDs. 

Technical Diagram

Main Arm Body

Servo Mount #2

Servo Mount #1

Electronics Shroud

Pressure Sensor Platform

Wiring Diagram

I need Palbot!

You may notice that none of the LEDs are on in my final photos, this is because right before I was going to take photos one of the solder joints broke. If I had Palbot I could have just documented as I went preventing a lack of LED documentation.

Final Photos

Final Photos

Next Steps

• Incorporate more complex idle animations 
• Implement gestural feed back and reminders 
• Automate image capture with a Raspberry Pi 
• Fine tune framing