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I came up with the idea to build a robot that can get me a beer or soda from the fridge while I'm watching Die Hard... I'm building it completely from Lego Technic, mostly studded. I use my own designed electronics to control the motors, pneumatic valves and read out the sensors. It saves me hundreds of Euro's by not using the NXT platform ;) Next to that: the NXT platform is not as flexible as other programming platforms. I have been busy with it for a few months now and there were some problems to be solved so I've divided "the project" in smaller goals: 1. Get the rover over a bump in the living room (success!) There's a nasty bump between the kitchen and the living room. Since the robot is going to be well over 10kg, I had to find a way to get it over the bump. The solution was to use caterpillar tracks (the robot needs to be able to turn around its own axle) with on top of that studless beams for extra grip. I've put some filt on top of the beams so my wooden floor doesn't get damaged. Video 1: 2. Make the robot move sideward to be able to position itself (success!) Not being sure about the precision of the tracks, I need the robot to be able to move sideward for positioning itself in front of the fridge (to be able to grap the handle). I designed a pneumatic system with 8 pistons that push down 8 wheels, that lift up the robot just a bit. That way the robot can move sideward, which is impossible with caterpillar tracks. As you will see in video 3, the accuracy of the distance sensors is good enough that the robot doesn't need to move sideward. If the system isn't needed when the robot is completed, I could remove it. Video 2: 3. Indoor navigation: make the robot find its way to the frigde, couch and back (success!) Using 4 ultrasonic distance sensors and a digital compass, I make the robot navigate around the house. It works just perfect! Video 3: 4. Think of a way to make the robot open the fridge I'm working on this one now. This one is by far the hardest to complete. I have already a pneumatic system that can grab the handle and open the fridge a few centimeters by setteling itself against the fridge. As you know: sometimes the fridge door is a bit stuck and you need some force to open it. Grabbing the handle and just drive backward doesn't work because of the height of the robot. Right now I need to find a way to open the fridge door further and move the robot to the inside side of the door. This is tricky and I haven't figured it out yet. If you have any suggestions: let me know! Further things to do: 5. Make the robot able to grab a can of beer/soda 6. Make the robot do the whole thing: getting out of hibernation, getting a beer, bring it to the couch and go back to the hibernation spot 7. Design an Android app that communicates with the robot through Bluetooth so I can order a beer from the couch