Kupe

Overview

Moana proved to be a great platform which allowed me to experiment with many aspects of robotics. However, that platform is too small, not easy to modify and it eventually became a rats nest of wires that made further extension difficult. I decided it was time to build a larger, more robust platform, specifically to enable experimentation with different areas of robotics. I'm particularly keen to use cameras for navigation and mapping, as well as further extend the Machine Learning capabilities I used on Moana. Now I have embraced 3D printing, the manufacture of custom parts means I can engineer solutions rather than make do with modifying standard mechanical parts.

I intend to make use of the Raspberry Pi to do some number crunching so the arduino may be demoted from being the brains of the robot.

Since my daughters have grown up and no longer think it cool to make things, I guess there is no need to have eyes, teeth and worry about the colour. So this will be a functional but sad machine :-(

As usual, the journey is more important than the destination!

August 2025