Kinect Vehicle Project

Goal
To create an autonomous car-like vehicle that uses the Microsoft Kinect to navigate surroundings and other features. The idea is to have an autonomous chassis that can utilize the features of the Kinect as well as provide a place for many different components.

Ideas
A list of ideas of possible components or features that could be added to the design once the basic autonomous navigation system is completed.
 * Facial Recognition and portrait photographer
 * Voice Recognition
 * Trash/Recycling
 * Backpack Sherpa

Hardware
The frame is built out of 4 aluminum angled beams bolted together with a sheet of plexiglass on top. Four wheels are attached to the bottom of the chassis, but only two of them are motorized and with a gearbox. The drive unit specs are: We will need a platform on the chassis to raise the Kinect.
 * 12 volt Permanent Magnet DC Parallel Shaft Gearmotor225853_414049868656127_22018076_n.jpg
 * 25 RPM
 * 20 in-lb torque
 * 1.30 Amps
 * Overhung load 18lbs
 * 530223_414049795322801_819532537_n.jpg Ration 270:1
 * 6 inch lawn mower wheel
 * Mounting bracket

Electronics
We will be using an Arduino Uno interfaced to netbook computer to process the Kinect input and output that to the arduino



We started using a single SN754410 motor driver, like we used on the Autonomous Blimp, but that is only rated for 1 A of current wherwas the the motors optimally draw up to 1.30 Amps. After that one exploded under mysterious circumstances, we switched to a L298N motor driver that can draw up to 2 Amps per motor. They also support PWM.

Software
We are currently develping software and working with the Kinect.