Our History
The design for Sparrow came together as a series of two week sprints. It is important to understand where we came from, to understand where we are going.
Sprint One
We began sprint one with a very different goal in mind: Sparrow was not only going to fly, but was going to hop. Our original goal mandated that we hop off the ground, and then self stabilize.
During sprint one we conducted analysis that ultimately proved that this goal was not possible without explosives, but this work paved forward our chasis design and shock absorption.
Critical learning from this time include: the physics of falling, wheel design, and the choice of brushless outrunners for the drive system.
At the end of this sprint, we had a drivable prototype, plans for a first test chasis, and a clear new direction to pivot to— a car that can drive off of any height object and stabilize
During sprint one we conducted analysis that ultimately proved that this goal was not possible without explosives, but this work paved forward our chasis design and shock absorption.
Critical learning from this time include: the physics of falling, wheel design, and the choice of brushless outrunners for the drive system.
At the end of this sprint, we had a drivable prototype, plans for a first test chasis, and a clear new direction to pivot to— a car that can drive off of any height object and stabilize
Sprint Two
After our pivot. we hit the floor (or air?) running. During sprint two it was our goal to get a test chasis working such that we could then undergo the devolopment of our control system.
During this sprint, we conducted rigorous analysis on the torque characteristics necessary for self stabilizing, and built out a brushless outrunner powertrain to match these.
While this was being fabricated, we experimented with TPU wheels (a total failure) and a new pivoted chasis design (a huge win), in addition we decided to include a second axis of stabilization with a small flywheel.
We consider our work in this sprint to be a huge success, with a drivable chasis and optimism in our hearts, we were ready to charge forward.
During this sprint, we conducted rigorous analysis on the torque characteristics necessary for self stabilizing, and built out a brushless outrunner powertrain to match these.
While this was being fabricated, we experimented with TPU wheels (a total failure) and a new pivoted chasis design (a huge win), in addition we decided to include a second axis of stabilization with a small flywheel.
We consider our work in this sprint to be a huge success, with a drivable chasis and optimism in our hearts, we were ready to charge forward.
Sprint Three
Sprint three slowed down a little, as our optimism was replaced by the brutal reality of tuning a high speed control system. While progress was slowed by invisible software bugs and flying wires— progress was quick on fabrication.
Our most loyal boy, Kyle, spent hundreds of hours in the shop during this time devoloping a robust and shockproof chasis derived from our modeling and simulation work earlier in the last spring. This new chasis, machine with high precision in aluminium and custom designed mounting hardware that integrated RC car parts.
On the software side, we began work to tune the system, and conduct our first drop tests. While tuning was slow, we were finally able to build a system that responds to user input.
Our most loyal boy, Kyle, spent hundreds of hours in the shop during this time devoloping a robust and shockproof chasis derived from our modeling and simulation work earlier in the last spring. This new chasis, machine with high precision in aluminium and custom designed mounting hardware that integrated RC car parts.
On the software side, we began work to tune the system, and conduct our first drop tests. While tuning was slow, we were finally able to build a system that responds to user input.
The Sparrow Flies
The design for Sparrow came together as a series of two week sprints. It is important to understand where we came from, to understand where we are going.
Team
Braden
Kyle
Will
Alex
The design for Sparrow came together as a series of two week sprints. It is important to understand where we came from, to understand where we are going.
Electrical
Mechnical
Gamechanger
Mechnical
Gamechanger
Not space
but still electronic
and often hardware
but still electronic
and often hardware
future APM
PM-ed at the speed of C
wrote software (shockingly)
PM-ed at the speed of C
wrote software (shockingly)
big fan of wheels
shock absorption guru
qualified software engineer
shock absorption guru
qualified software engineer
Sparrow is a versatile, cheap, and robust mobile robotics
platform that allows universal preformance, everywhere.
platform that allows universal preformance, everywhere.
Rugged
Chassis strong enough to
withstand any terrian, active shock canceling.
withstand any terrian, active shock canceling.
Self Stabilizing
Using only its drive wheels, the sparrow stabilizes itself during flight.
Remote Control
Built for fun, and precision of control, the Sparrow is a joy to drive.
Introducing The Sparrow
And as we close our final sprint, we are proud to reveal the Sparrow Rover v1: a versatile, cheap, robust mobile robotics
platform that allows two axis stabilization in flight.
platform that allows two axis stabilization in flight.
Mechanical Design
The Sparrow’s final chasis design features triple shock canceling, both in the actual wheel hubs, and a combined dual shock system. Additionally, the chassis features entirely integrated mounting such that every single piece of electronics has a designated spot that balances the weight of the car overall.
Put simply, the Sparrow’s chasis is built like a tank to withstand even the hardest of impact and come away stable, and driving.
Put simply, the Sparrow’s chasis is built like a tank to withstand even the hardest of impact and come away stable, and driving.
Electrical Design
The Sparrow featues a full real time control system running on an Arduino Nano that supports up to two axis stabilization using a 9DOF IMU and RC control system. Additionally, the system uses a unique integrated 4in1 ESC system to minimize wire and space burden within the chasis. The entire electronic system has been shock proofed to ensure the Sparrow keeps driving no matter the impact.
No suprise resets allowed.
No suprise resets allowed.
Software Design
The Sparrow’s software system is versatile and complete— allowing for real time control in two axises with fully tunable controls for each payload.
Additionally, we support intuitive RC drive control and possibly even wireless telemetry through the already existing RC reciever (future extension)
Additionally, we support intuitive RC drive control and possibly even wireless telemetry through the already existing RC reciever (future extension)
Budget
Most of all, the Sparrow is affordable.