Page 224 - Robots Androids and Animatrons : 12 Incredible Projects You Can Build

proportional steering and speed control. This is the type of model
used in building the prototype. A less-expensive R/C model may
be used, but you won’t have as much control when driving.
Figure 9.2 is a photograph of the R/C model car. It has a spring sus-
pension system. The suspension system can be incorporated with
a rumble-and-tilt sensor system to provide a feel of the terrain.
But we are getting ahead of ourselves.
Purchase an R/C car that is bundled with a battery charger and
rechargeable batteries. With some R/C models these items must be
purchased separately.

A little on R/C models
Radio-controlled models have evolved into a popular hobby. There
are R/C airplanes, helicopters, gliders, powerboats, submarines,
cars, motorcycles, etc. Most models are suitable shells and spring-
boards for golem-type robots.
Not long ago, R/C models were exclusively gas powered. In the late
1970s, improvements in battery technology and electric motors
made electric-powered vehicles a viable option.
Model R/C cars are typically controlled using a two-channel
transmitter/receiver. One channel controls steering and the other 203
channel controls the throttle. Each transmitter signal is controlled
by a potentiometer inside the transmitter. The steering poten-
tiometer is often connected to a small steering wheel on the trans-
mitter control. The throttle is usually connected to a trigger or stick.

9.2 R/C model car used in telepresence system
Team LRN Telepresence robot