Project LiftOff

Project LiftOff is a 3lbs MeltyBrain (a robot that moves using translations drift as its entire body spins at 1000 to 3000 RPM.

Checkout some drifting videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU5LoDPIq_JcuVjNkIasXdblbYT3sTSFN

For 2021, Project LiftOff is beginning its third major revision.

Project LiftOff - March 2019 (rev 1.0)

• Rev-1.0 : March 2019
  • Processor: Arduino Nano
  • Accelerometer: common MPU 6050 (+/- 16g 12 bits)
  • Receiver Interface: standard RC-PWM into UART
  • Motor Control: OneShot125 via PWM manipulation @ ~800Hz
  • External Sensors: none
• Rev-1.1 May 2019
  • switched from 8" Aluminum rings to 9" AR-500 ring with tooth (and hand cut HDPE)
    • this AR-500 tooth proved to be too pointed and became embedded in arena wall several times

Project LiftOff - May 2019 (rev 1.1)

Project LiftOff - August 2019 (rev 1.2)

Project LiftOff - August 2019 (rev 1.15)

• Rev-2.0 : 2020
  • Processor: Teensy 4.0
  • Accelerometer: none… used motor eRPM telemetry from ESCs via bidirectional dShot
  • Receiver Interface: RC-SBUS into UART
  • Motor Control: dShot600 via SPI manipulation @ 8000Hz
  • External Sensors: active IR
  • CNC'd HDPE body
  • New 8" AR-500 ring and tooth (with a more blunt tip)

Project LiftOff - July 2020 (rev 2.0)

Project LiftOff - July 2020 (rev 2.05)

Project LiftOff - September 2020 (rev 2.1)

• Rev-3 : 2021 Same electronics as Rev-2; improved algorithm, wheel orientation, and return to accelerometer.
  • Processor: Teensy 4.0
  • Accelerometer: H3LIS331DL (+/- 400g 16 bits)
  • Receiver Interface: RC-SBUS into UART
  • Motor Control: dShot600 via SPI manipulation @ 8000Hz
  • External Sensors: active IR

Robot Facts

The first appearance was at the March 2019 NHRL event. The very first version used an 8" diameter aluminum pipe cut into two 1/2" thick slices with a notch cut out for the AR500 tooth (with two bolt holes).

Driver	Andrew Kazmer (mostly) Jim Kazmer (sometimes)
Weight Class	3lb
Body Material	HDPE (CNC) + AR500
Weapon	Horizontal Body Spinner, 1360 grams
Weapon Drive	see below
Drive	2 x FliteTest 2218 Brushless Motor, direct drive
Power	2x4S 650mah LiPo

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Tournament Results

2020

NHRL January	Did Not Compete
NHRL July 1
NHRL July 2
NHRL September
NHRL November	Did Not Compete