Beachbot Robot, Beachbot

Beachbot Robot is an autonomous robot that can create large scale sand art. The robot will be deployed at a public beach to amaze beach-goers who pass by. Not only the final picture is important, the whole drawing process will provide an exceptional, magical show. The BeachBot is not just a lifeless, mechanical being; it is a friendly looking creature with a soul. The BeachBot is 60 cm in length and 40 cm in both width and height. To provide maximal mobility and enough robustness a 3 wheel arrangement with differential drive back wheels and a steered wheel in the front is used. The BeachBot carves pictures into sand with a rake consisting of seven individual movable elements actuated by servo motors. They are attached at the tail of the robot. This solution leads to great visibility of the drawn lines and to a large variety in line width, from minimal 5 cm up to the width of the robot. To be able to draw precisely the BeachBot needs accurate localization. The concept consists of an laser scanner mounted on the robot plus reflective poles, marking the border of the drawing field. (Therefore the laser can create an active map of its surrounding.)

Product:

• Country: Switzerland 
• Company: ETH Zurich