SPIT:1. MINDSTORMS NXT bot - Swimming Pool Insect Terminator

Swimming Pool Insect Terminator (S.P.I.T) is a special self powered robot that locates and destroys small clusters of bugs that float on the top of swimming pools (well, our swimming pool anyway) It uses the light sensor to detect the presence of insect cluster while the Ultrasonic sensor is used to avoid bumping into the side of the pool by telling the steering motor to turn. When the Light sensor detects a cluster of bugs it tells a motor to push the button on a can of Insect spray. Another motor is used to power the S.P.I.T forward. Lego Mindstorms and Technic wheels are used as floats. A ribbon of Polystyrene on the two sides provide failover if the buoyancy tyres fail by letting in water whilst on water.

This video snippet was only a small part of a bigger project. Please checkout the associated blog on http://bluetoothkiwi.blogspot.com/2007/08/swimming-pool-insect-terminator-spi...

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• robot
• lego
• insect
• mindstorms
• nxt
• tripod
• technic
• bugs

[neunleben]

I have a question

You said when you swoop the insects they fly away and come back right after...

Don't they just fly away when they see big bad ass trigger happy robot approaching throwing water all over the place and making noise?

[BlueToothKiwi]

LOL Yeah - but the spray gets them first, the the churing action of the paddle drowns them.

[evilmasterminds]

How does that terminate insects

[BlueToothKiwi]

Please check out the link under description to my blogs on how it works (and why it was designed that way).

[jook00]

its always nice to swim in a pool contaminated with bug spray. cheers!

[Tehetti17]

omg u better watch out if the paddles fall cuz youll lose 250 dollars worth of stuff

[skylorz]

ah man that is just to risky i gonna laugh if that thing sinks but i dont think you will do the same!!!

[PsykoMantis112]

Coolest use for an NXT robot EVER!!

[kinfolkin]

smart, how to the spinners not flick water onto the robot "destroying it"

[bernardoptnco]

i think it works if it works all the day

[johanneskunkel]

honestly... does it REALLY work to keep your pool clean from those insects?

[suckerforsweettalk]

i got one of those things. it was $199. that would be one expansive boat capsise.

[12alle12]

good idéa :P I like it