Guitar-Playing Robot
|
|
During the first semester of my sophomore year, in a class called Principles of Engineering, our professor challenged the students to build complex systems from the ground up, and overcome significant mechanical, electrical, and software obstacles in the process. I teamed up with four other engineering students to build a robot capable of playing an instrument.
With a budget of $250, a couple of weeks, and some solenoids donated by our professor, my team built an Arduino-controlled contraption that could play a selection of songs on an acoustic guitar. We then presented our work at the Olin EXPO event at the end of the semester. |
My Contribution
|
I acted as a mechanical lead for the team, primarily designing the "left hand" of our robotic guitar player, which actuates frets to change the note played by each of the strings. I utilized thirty solenoids donated by our professor, and designed a system of waterjet sheet steel and laser cut MDF in order to accomplish the task.
In addition, I helped fabricate the final project and diagnose issues with various parts of the robot, be them mechanical, software, or electrical problems. |
|