FIDOMan’s Best Cyber-friend

By Kevin Byrd

EEL 5666

Intelligent Machines Design Laboratory

MEET FIDOMEET FIDO

Fido is the next generation in household pets. He is a versatile cyber-pet that can be programmed and reprogrammed to custom match the personality and desires of its new owner. Fido can learn and adapt to its environment, display emotion and loyalty to its owner. Fido can “GROW” with its owner into a lifelong upgradable friend. Now we enter a world where pets can be ordered from the internet to precise specifications or chosen with random personalities for that surprise new pal. Say hello to your newest cyber-friend.

ANATOMY

• EVBU board and ME11

• 6061 T6 aluminum platform

• Fully functioning robotic jaw and neck

• 2 hub assemblies for drive motors

• 2 servos for head and neck manipulation

• 5 IR sensors for object detection and recognition

• Battery pack

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Mechanically sound and dependable construction

• Object manipulation via robotic neck and jaw

• IR detection and obstacle avoidance

• Ability for object recognition

• Beginning behaviors

FUTURE WORK• Learning to:

– Eat– Distinguish objects– Play- find and fetch objects

• Behavior– Random– Environmentally dependent– Attitude– Affection/loyalty

• Adding more sensors to achieve more intelligence– Mercury switches– Sonar– Voice and sound recognition