About this project
The Choitek Megamark is an advanced full-size humanoid mobile manipulator robot platform capable of performing virtually any human-size task, such as watering plants, cleaning rooms, feeding pets, making meals, delivering coffee, playing piano, laser sword dueling and more, built for students, artists, educators, hobbyists and researchers.
Features / Specs of the Megamark:
The Megamark boasts a rugged all-metal aluminum body, cross-platform laptop-for-a-face, expandable open hardware, compatible open software, and adaptable end effectors. The Choitek Megamark combines especially well with 3D printers for designing custom grippers.
- Batteries: The Megamark is powered by two 12V 8AH SLA batteries. Under normal load, these batteries are expected to last roughly 8 hours, and can be recharged by a standard 12V SLA charger.
- Processor: The Megamark is powered by an Arduino Mega 2560, which connects to the robot's laptop-for-a-face with a standard USB A-to-B serial cable.
- Construction: The base, arms, and chest can be attached and detached for easy transportation and storage. There are plenty of mounting holes to add custom sensors and electronics.
How to use the Megamark:
The Megamark is intended to be an educational and experimental robotics research platform. Although prior robotics engineering experience is not required, a willingness to learn programming and basic electronics is highly recommended. The Megamark will work especially well as an educational robotics platform to teach and inspire students into STEM. Students learn both the hardware and software sides of engineering by designing the robot's grippers and programming the robot through its laptop-for-a-face to do various tasks:
- First, dream up a task you want the robot to do. Feel free to dream big! Robotics is still a growing frontier in technology and we want you to be a part of it!
- Second, customize your robot by adding sensors and attachments. Every gripper is designed to perform a different and unique task; learn about hardware design by building your own or 3D printing the ones we've already designed and tested!
- Finally, use the robot's laptop-for-a-face (not included) to program the robot in your favorite language. Currently, Python 2.7 and Arduino are supported. We are in the process of adding support to more languages such as Unity, Processing, and RobotC.
Stretch Goals:
If we hit $18,000, we will deliver two extra sets of 3D-printed grippers to each backer that gives at least $1,300. If we hit the full $20,000, we will deliver four extra sets of 3D-printed grippers to each backer that gives at least $1,300. For both stretch goals, backers can choose from the designs below (or wait until we have more designs available):
*BIG FAT DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ!*
We'll be completely open and honest with you: although the Megamark is technically capable of doing virtually any human task, the Megamark does not do any task particularly well yet. DO NOT USE THE MEGAMARK ROBOT TO PERFORM CRITICAL OR DANGEROUS TASKS! UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL CHOITEK BE RESPONSIBLE IF A MEGAMARK ROBOT ATTEMPTS TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD, SO ALWAYS USE UNDER DIRECT HUMAN SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES!
More things you can do with the Megamark!
Special thanks:
We couldn't have done it without all of the amazing people, places and things we've worked with over the course of the past four years, so a special thank you to all of the following schools, organizations, programs and initiatives that have helped propel our project into the future:
Risks and challenges
Like we said before, we'll be completely open and honest with you: as a new hardware technology company, things are risky and there are many challenges we face. While we can't guarantee that we'll do everything perfectly the first time, we can guarantee that we will do everything in our power to deliver upon our promises in a timely manner.
Here is what you need to know as a backer:
1. Our Work So Far:
We've designed, developed and tested 2 versions of the Megamark over the past one and a half years with the support of Project Olympus at Carnegie Mellon University. We have successfully delivered 4 of these robots on time to local schools in our area, where they are currently being tested.
2. Manufacturing:
We've seen many technology-related Kickstarters fail to make good on their promises, and most often, the biggest reason is "manufacturing problems". To minimize this risk, we're starting small and limiting the amount of rewards to just 15 to ensure that if any horrible manufacturing problems do occur, our company can absorb the cost of these errors to ensure that our backers are not left empty-handed.
3. Shipping:
Note that the Megamark is LARGE and weighs 50 pounds (23 kg)! For shipping within the 48 contiguous United States of America, we intend to use USPS ground shipping, and we do not expect there to be too many problems. For shipping outside of the United States, please understand things might get trickier and that some shipping problems may be beyond our control.
4. Injury / Illness / Death / Force Majeure:
Although this is unlikely, we are a small team and if we become incapacitated or our workspace gets obliterated for any reason, we may not be able to completely fulfill our promises to all of our cherished backers. If this is the case, we kindly ask you to please forgive our shortcomings.
(Music credits: Milkshake by Machinimasound. CC BY 4.0 License.)
Learn about accountability on KickstarterQuestions about this project? Check out the FAQ