Build Your Own Combat Robot

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HE robots described in the book thus far are remote-controlled (R/C)
robots, which are generally the easiest robot to build because all the traditional
R/C equipment can be readily purchased at hobby stores and from the Internet.
The next level for the robotic evolution, however, is the semiautonomous
robot. Including some semiautonomous features along with traditional features
in your robots can simplify some of the work in controlling the robot, because
such features mean that the robot will have some behaviors that will
function on their own.
Autonomous control can range from little control to almost 100-percent control
within the robot. Minor control could be in the form of a mixing circuit to
help with tank driving, overload current sensors on the motors to reduce the
power going into the motors automatically, or automatic weapon firing or driving
mechanisms. Generally, a semiautonomous robot will have a sensor that can
monitor its environment and some electronics that process the sensor data to
make a decision and execute some action.
The next level for the robotic evolution is the fully autonomous robot. These
robots act completely on their own in performing tasks, using microcontrollers
or computers for brains and many different sensors that allow the robot to see its
environment, hear its environment, and feel its environment. The robot’s brain
will interpret the sensor data, compare it to internal programming, and execute
a series of actions based on the data. Various examples of autonomous robots
are maze-solving robots, line-following robots, sumo robots, and soccer playing
robots in the Robo Cup. Even NASA’s Mars Sojourner has some autonomous
features, also, that allow it to send images back to the engineers at NASA, who
study the images and tell the robot to check out a particular rock or other interesting
feature. The robot then determines how to get to its destination. If it
senses an obstacle in the way, the robot figures out a path around it to continue
its mission to the place of interest. Once the robot gets to its destination, it conducts
a series of experiments and sends the data back to the engineers at NASA.
Most combat robots are either totally remote-controlled robots or
semiautonomous robots. It is very difficult to make a fully autonomous combat
robot, which needs a way to “see” its opponent and be able to distinguish it from
its environment. Reliable robotic vision systems are difficult to develop. Consider