Solar Powered Microcontroller Head
Autonomous robotic light seeking head. Project based on Atmel ATTiny26L.
Autonomous robotic light seeking head. Project based on Atmel ATTiny26L.
This is a so called autonomous kinetic sculpture from the 'famous' CawtBot family. Partly made form scrap junk, partly from new pieces. based on the Atmel AtTiny26L microcontroller. It's completeley autonomous because of solar power.
In my opinion: very cool toy and also superb eye catcher. Me proud!!
When there is (enough) light it's in the daily mode. With receiving infra red LE diodes it detects which way to turn for better light. So basicaly it follows the sun whole day and charges the NIMh accus needed for night mode. Head turns when there is enough energy in the capacitor (1F) behind the cell.
When there is not enough light head goes into night mode. Charging is stopped and circuit gets the power from accus. Night mode is combination of nice light and sound effects.
There is also a remote receiver. The head can be controlled with ordinary TV remote. This is just an 'ahhh' factor.
I mounted a watchdog too and it's custom made for long triggering time. Mainly beacuse of the 'troubles' at booting head in the morning. Watchdog really helps with a Reset signal.
In my opinion: very cool toy and also superb eye catcher. Me proud!!
When there is (enough) light it's in the daily mode. With receiving infra red LE diodes it detects which way to turn for better light. So basicaly it follows the sun whole day and charges the NIMh accus needed for night mode. Head turns when there is enough energy in the capacitor (1F) behind the cell.
When there is not enough light head goes into night mode. Charging is stopped and circuit gets the power from accus. Night mode is combination of nice light and sound effects.
There is also a remote receiver. The head can be controlled with ordinary TV remote. This is just an 'ahhh' factor.
I mounted a watchdog too and it's custom made for long triggering time. Mainly beacuse of the 'troubles' at booting head in the morning. Watchdog really helps with a Reset signal.
The solar cell is 5.5V, 40mA. More than enough power.
IMHO very nice sculpture. Specialy 2 copper sticks. The stand is from scrap CD drive. Motor from MacCD drive. Very very efficient Omron motor. Nice one really.
Some kind of exploded view. You can see small HC245 motor driver. Works well.
From left to right: ultrabright red led, 2 IR LED eyes, sound beeper, IR remote receiver, watchdog, motor bridge,...
Bunch of LE diodes for light show. And some neat mounting of the removable watchdog. Sort of piggyback.
Notice the 1F cap? I am not satisfied with the look and mount of the Nimh accus. Should be made better. Many places for the future improvements here. Stay tuned :))
