Robot #9 resembles a segway "a mini segway." It uses a gyro and 2 accelerometers to calculate its angle based on gravity. It then uses a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) controller to dampen or stabilize at 180 degrees (dead center). I am using the Axon Microcontroller and the Sabertooth motor controller with regenerative drive capability.
This robot was presented at Rivera High School on November the 5th and at Porter High School on November the 6th of 2008. Robotics is truly a fascinating field. Contact me if i can be of any help at your local school. I'm not a professional, but I can teach k-12 a few things they will never learn in a classroom setting.
Explaining how the robot is able to autonomously balance on it's own.
Rivera High School Robotics Presentation (over 150 students in 3 periods)
