Creating a Robot to Make Toast with Lego Mindstorm :: Robotics

Toast-O-Bot Abstract: A robot that uses a toaster to make toast, butters it with spray butter and makes a CD player play the song "Yeah Toast" would be both useful and entertaining. Using the Lego Mindstorms and MAC NQC to program them such a robot could be possible. Using the suggested design and programs for the Roboarm in the Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms as a starting point I built the robot and modified it for the toaster. During testing of the motors, it was discovered that Toast-O-Bot is not strong enough to press the button on the toaster. Even after toaster modification it was still unable to press the button. The Toast-O-Bot only moves the bread from location to location, so a user is required to press the button on the toaster. Background/Purpose: People with disabilities use many devices today to ease their lives and help with every day tasks. This may include simplified processes, service animals or small machines or robots that perform small tasks for any user; young, old, disabled, or able bodied. There are devices to change TV channels, open doors, turn lights on and off, and now a robot to make toast for them. Ever since the discovery of toast man has looked for a way to make toasting easier, beginning with the primitive toaster, and progressing to the modern pop toaster. The primitive toaster was made of iron and placed in hot coals. In 1909, G.E. introduced and patented the electric toaster. The pop toaster, introduced in 1919, has been modified by many people to develop the modern pop toaster. Toaster ovens, though not as common, are also used to make toast. The hope is to further ease the work that goes into the making of toast by creating a robot that can use a toaster to make toast. The robot will have a claw arm to pick up the bread and place it in the toaster. It will also have an arm to press the button on the toaster and on the spray butter. There will be a touch sensor at the bottom of the button track and when it equals zero the robot will remove the toast to butter it. After buttering the toast, it will then place it on a plate for the user to enjoy. It may also press play on something to play the 'Yeah Toast' song from the Bob and Tom Show. Materials: à ½ LEGO pieces need for the Roboarm from page 313 in the Definitive Guide to Lego Mindstorms à ½ Various decorative things à ½ A way to raise the base to the height of the toaster