Introduction to Skillbot

Published on: 20 October, 2011

Skillbot was one of the robots that we built in the lead up to World Cup as a prototype idea, which was later dismantled in order to use the parts for the other robots.

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Main Features:
Drive Train: 4-motor x-drive (1×393 on each wheel), 2:1 gear ratio, 2.75″ omni-wheels
Lift: Single Pivot Arm (6×269, chain lift), 1:4 gear ratio
Intake: Claw (Pneumatics)

10 motors were used in order to keep the robot high school legal. Skillbot was primarily designed for the driver challenge – in this scenario, there are no other robots on the field and the objects are all in stacks. Therefore we opted for a low-torque but high maneuverability drive train, and a claw that could easily pick up stacks. The arm lifted and lowered extremely quickly with a lot of speed and power. The main reason for dismantling the robot was that it was difficult to build an effective claw, and we also managed to break two pneumatic pistons; additionally we needed the parts to build other robots.