My Plans/Wishlist for DiddyBorg

Hello All,

This is following on from the low battery thread and some other thoughts I have had for the DiddyBorg.

Low Battery Thread - https://www.piborg.org/node/1956

My plans are to have the DiddyBorg operate in an autonomous mode within the house, idea is to travel round and monitor the environmental conditions (air quality/temperature/humidity etc.) That's the ultimate aim.

In addition I am looking at fitting a shutdown button, and power on/off switch.

Autonomous mode will require sensors to prevent hitting objects (and falling down stairs).
So I was considering the HC-SR02 with UltraBorg support.
But there is also LiDAR, using laser light in a similar way to ultra-sonics. I have had a look and there are modules out there, just a matter of cost and how easy connecting them to the Pi and coding. So there is one choice.

Battery/Power.
I am planning on using a 4S LiPo (14.8v nominal) battery pack to power the DiddyBorg Red (12v motors), as LiPo are finicky batteries with issues regarding over charging and over discharging (below a certain voltage when they are being discharged they throw a "hissy fit" and cannot be charged again), plus they are not the cheapest so I would rather not have that happen.

So the "battery fuel gauge" is a perfect design. As soon as I have a look at how to implement it I will see if I can make one for a 4S battery pack. Also use the monitor to shut-down the Pi if the charge gets too low. So a visual display using a LED display, or a numerical display as well as the pi monitoring is a requirement.

I am sure the wish-list will change, and grow as my abilities (hopefully) too grow.

There is also the fun side of things too, maybe a sound generator and speaker to generate beeps etc.(R2D2/BB8) style. Mabe also a PIR (I have a PIR etc from a kit I have for the Pi) on an mounting pole to enable the Borg to detect body heat and move out of the way or reach audibly to a presence (Dog etc.). That's the fun side.

I will keep everyone informed, but be prepared for this to take some time. With research, work and studies I have a lot on my plate.

If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions or links for sensors etc. etc. please let me know. I am always open for assistance, and I will help others where I can too.

Chris