Build a $500 Robot

We're currently working to build a robot base with an equipment cost of $500 and the following capabilities/sensors:

• Large payload capacity
• Custom motor controller
• Wheel odometry
• Navigation (LIDAR, IR array, etc.)
• Visual (Webcam)
• Intelligence (Raspberry Pi/Ardunio)
• Operates for several hours on a single charge

We are currently building a Roomba prototype (Perseus) and a much larger custom-built platform (Hercules). We've come up with 12 tasks below to accomplish. Come join us!

The 12 Tasks of Hercules are:

1. Drive around 3 cones
2. Deliver a pizza from the front door of the DOJO to a pre-determined location in the Dojo.
3. Detect the face / body of the owner
4. Follow a predetermined target shape.
5. Follow a detected person to deliver a cooler of beer
6. Avoid somone / something when they/it falls in front of the robot unexpectedly
7. Draw a chess board indoors (with washable chalk)
8. Deliver a cookie from one room in the DOJO to another room in the dojo, through a non-predetermined route, avoiding unexpected obstacle
9. Drive around the DOJO for one week without crashing, hitting anyone or getting lost saying hello to known people
10. Draw a chess board outdoors (with washable chalk)
11. Identify a bad guy in a line up of people
12. Drive around the DOJO for one week identifying every time a predetermined bad guy shows up