Guy Fawkes robot
The military has been using robots for bomb disposals for many years now. Most of them are remote controlled.
However, lately there has been development of more specialised and autonomous EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) robots that do risky operations that human beings don’t need to risk their lives for. I always wanted to design a robot that did something that is too risky for humans – and thus potentially save lives.
So early this month when we had Guy Fawkes night, I decided to use a robot based on my MINDSTORMS NXT to light our fireworks. There has been a lot of concern lately about fireworks maiming and injuring the person igniting it and a few cases of fatalities. So I thought it would be a good idea.
This autonomous NXT robot will light multiple fireworks in a sequence - while the family sits back and watch the display! The robot is incredibly simple - It uses a MINDSTORMS NXT, two light sensors (one for navigation and other to detect a lighted fuse) and an Ultrasonic detector (to detect the top of the fireworks (and hence the height of the fireworks fuse wire) so it can adjust the torch arm height depending on the position of the fuse. It uses three motors - two for motion and the third for the torch arm elevator. For the wheel base we used a simple motor driven wheels + casters based on JennToo designed by fellow NXT Step contributor, Brian Davis, but with a few modifications.
Warning: Working with fireworks is dangerous. Please exercise extreme caution.
Enjoy:
However, lately there has been development of more specialised and autonomous EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) robots that do risky operations that human beings don’t need to risk their lives for. I always wanted to design a robot that did something that is too risky for humans – and thus potentially save lives.
So early this month when we had Guy Fawkes night, I decided to use a robot based on my MINDSTORMS NXT to light our fireworks. There has been a lot of concern lately about fireworks maiming and injuring the person igniting it and a few cases of fatalities. So I thought it would be a good idea.This autonomous NXT robot will light multiple fireworks in a sequence - while the family sits back and watch the display! The robot is incredibly simple - It uses a MINDSTORMS NXT, two light sensors (one for navigation and other to detect a lighted fuse) and an Ultrasonic detector (to detect the top of the fireworks (and hence the height of the fireworks fuse wire) so it can adjust the torch arm height depending on the position of the fuse. It uses three motors - two for motion and the third for the torch arm elevator. For the wheel base we used a simple motor driven wheels + casters based on JennToo designed by fellow NXT Step contributor, Brian Davis, but with a few modifications.
Warning: Working with fireworks is dangerous. Please exercise extreme caution.
Enjoy:
Comments
2. Seeing the words "explosives" and "bomb disposal" in the keywords for the same blog posting made my day.
3. Your next challenge - program the robot to use a fire extinguisher
Jim
NXT ... $249.00
Custom Powder-Burnt NXT ... Priceless!
How will YOU customize your NXT this season?
Chris
Brent
- Thanks Jim for your comments.
- Yes Anonymous- I been following it on Jim's blog. I hope the painting goes well this weekend, Jim
Yes, the priming is done... painting will happen this weekend. Because it'll require numerous coats, I don't expect to finish the painting until the following weekend.
Brent - I'm hoping to have it finished and working by Feb/March but I have a wife and a baby so I've learned not to set hard dates ;)
As for the theme - maybe my next one will have a robot theme but for now, I wanted to go with a 1950's style flying saucer theme.
But sadly...the cost are all those crispy NXTs sent home smoking.
Won't somebody think of the NXTs?!?!
Chris
Paul
(Paul - get a grip. The purpose of the robot was to remove the danger to someone lighting a firework. Did you actually watch the videO?)
I can certainly understand your position. As someone who once had a firecracker blow up in his hand, I'm not a huge fan of fireworks these days.
I don't believe the creator of this robot meant to encourage haphazard playing with fireworks... if anything, I think he meant to actually create something that would serve a real purpose for either himself or a child.
Kids are going to play with fireworks - we can't change that. But the post/video does mention that the reason for creating the robot was to remove the danger to the person lighting the firework.
With over 25 contributors here, we still try to edit our posts and comments to keep with our friendliness to the younger audience but we also try to avoid overt censorship. There are plenty of robots that have been posted on this blog (the Packbot, for example, used in Iraq/Afghanistan) that are used in decidedly unfriendly situations but this doesn't mean that we shouldn't write about them.
I'm sorry that this post has bothered you - rest assured, this time next week it'll be pushed down the page and there'll be something new to talk about. Your opinion is valid and I'm sure others will agree with your position - thanks for commenting.
Jim
Sure - the robot is "fun", as are the fireworks, but that's not the point. When things are posted here, people, including kids will try to make them. Would you want a ten year old debugging their attempt at this robot?
Paul (normally not so serious)
R.K.
I am the creator of the above mentioned robot (and video), and I thought I would take the time to respond to your points:
- I think it is healthy that posts like this invoke healthy debate – about social issues beyond NXT robotics. Paul, you are entitled to your opinion and views – and I respect that - and thank you for sharing it.
- However, As a parent of four children (including two teenage boys), I balance being responsible parents with having fun in life. And like I said in response to another commentator on YouTube - I rather have a blown up NXT than one of my family members losing a limb.
- In most countries sale of fireworks to the public is prohibited. However, it is not where I live. I hope children and adults behave responsibly around fireworks, so we continue to enjoy them for years to come.
- I have to agree with some of the points Jim and R.K. made in defence of video. I post a video of a robot that cleans up insects in pools - and people cry danger. I post a video of a robot interacting with our pet rabbits - and people cry cruelty... I post a video of my family having fun with NXT and fireworks - and people cry irresponsible. I think (with no disrespect to you Paul), people should relax and stop taking life so seriously.
Tim
First off, the design of your robot is excellent (as always) and you've documented it well. I commend you for this. I've enjoyed everything else you've published and look forward to more.
However, the point I am raising is not about fireworks or social issues to do with them. Having lived in NZ for over 20 years, I am well aware of the fun that's had at guy fawkes. I have no problem with fireworks or responsible people using them. I think it will be a shame when they are banned in NZ. (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10474474)
My issue is with respected members of the NXT community encouraging the NXT to automate a potentially life threatening task, then saying it's in the name of "safety". Do you think that's being too serious? Are fireworks life threatening? I think they are. In NZ, I have witnessed a skyrocket, placed by a responsible adult, accidentally fall over, launch into a family inside a house and explode into a person. This has a devastating affect on all involved. To me, that's worth being serious about.
I've worked on industrial control software and hardware for life threatening applications and feel I'm qualified to ask you some questions about your design -
- What happens when your robot accidentally knocks over a firework? What does it do then?
- what's your fail safe if all goes wrong? Does the robot swamp the fireworks with water? Throw sand on it?
- How have you ensured your code or hardware won't fail? Does it have unit tests to ensure it always does what you think it will in every case?
- When you melt your controller and it malfunctions, what stops it lighting other fireworks?
Do you think a child might even consider some of these scenarios? Apparently there are some super smart kids out there. These don't even start to address safety aspects that would be required for a real world application. But hold on, these are real world fireworks.
You may think your application encourages safety but I totally disagree. You may also feel that you're protecting your family and that's your choice. If you choose to publish something like this, I feel it would be irresponsible not to comment.
I'm sorry if you feel I'm taking this too seriously. There are some things I never want to see again.
Paul
I have left your comments unedited under my post - so anyone reading the original post can read these comments in the full context and consider the valuable points you have made.
Thanks.
Tim
I'm a student of the University of Padua (Italy), and I'm interested in building your Firestarter. Where can I find building instructions of it?
If you want to contact me, my email is gioseppecassano@libero.it .
Thanks
Beppe