Over-engineered robotic scalp scratcher is aware of all of the strikes

These low-cost wire-arm head massagers are nice at giving your scalp a pleasant, stress-free rub. However they’re handheld implements that drive the consumer to both manipulate the massager themselves or speak a accomplice into performing the duty. David McDaid determined that the expertise can be way more nice if a robotic took care of the onerous work, so he constructed this Stewart platform head massager.

A Stewart platform is a dexterous manipulator typically used with robotic finish effectors or for orienting gear. The usual setup requires six linear actuators, every with common joints on each ends. The actuators mount between two plates in an association that offers the highest plate six levels of freedom (DoF): pitch, roll, yaw, and linear motion in every of the three spatial axes. A Stewart platform is ideal for this utility, as a result of it lets the robotic transfer the top massager in quite a lot of completely different ways in which mimic handbook motion.

McDaid created his personal Stewart platform utilizing an Arduino Mega 2560 board and 6 AX-12A servo motors rather than the same old linear actuators. Using servos impacts the kinematics to some extent, however not sufficient for it to be a problem in an utility like this that doesn’t require a lot accuracy. McDaid designed his personal customized PCB for this undertaking, which is a protect for the Mega that simplifies the facility connection. That energy comes from a interest LiPo battery pack with an XT60 connector. The mechanical components, together with the servo arms, body, and massager mount, had been all designed in Fusion 360 after which 3D-printed.

The completed robotic head massager is ready to carry out many various motions, guaranteeing complete rest with minimal bodily exertion.