Terminator T-1

Not all Terminator T-1's look the same. Clearly Cyberdyne Systems would not have produced identical T-1 models. The basic frames would have been the same but there would have been subtle differences.  The two models T-1-7 and T-1-8 we see in the action sequence of the film but we also see a room full of covered T-1's. 

Robot Centrals T-1 is one of those variations. 

Variations in design would have included;

Modified head with extra sensors and kevlar armour

Modified track system providing more power and traction

Slimline bodywork removing weight and allowing better access for repair.

Nuclear power source.

All fun aside, our T-1 or T-1-FNY as she is called is was built twenty years after the film prop were completed.

Technology has developed a great deal in that time and one of the things we wanted to include in our T-1 build was autonomous features. I previously wrote about the Pololu Meastro boards and use of Raspberry Pi 4 for the object recognition systems the T-1 uses.

One other feature I wanted to give T-1-FNY was the ability to know where she is and be able to move into a sentry mode on her own. To this end I used this, the ArduPilot autopilot board. I bought this board years ago to build into a drone but it never happened and it just sat in a draw not being used until now. Re-programmed with new firmware and able to run a ground vehicle it will be ideal to use on the T-1.

It is very simple to use, if effect sits between the Pololu board and multiplexer and will be switched from the FrSky radio. The only downside is that it needs to see the sky, acquiring satellites, to work so using it in an exhibition center wont work. Outside though it is great. I can program in simple tracks with way points that the T-1 can follow creating a small sentry path around out workshops. Combining this with the object recognition and ability to spin the guns up this build is providing lots of fun. 

ArduCopter ArduPilot autopilot board .

                                                               Working on Electronics

 

Lots more work has been completed on T-1-FNY's electronics tidying up all the wiring and making sure that nothing snags or moves as she trundles around.

One new feature that has been added are limit switches. I was struggling to find limit switches that where strong enough for what I needed but then came across these.

They are now fitted to the upper and lower lifts and the body rota. 

They are not strictly speaking necessary on the lifts as the actuators have built in limit switches but they have been added anyway adding an element of adjustability.

Where they were really needed was the body rota. Because I am using a tether and not a slip ring I don't want the body to spin 360 which would look silly anyway. The limit switches and motor stops now make the control system idiot proof plus allow autonomous control to be applied to the rota.