So the design for the initial guide device was flawed and floppy, and actually broke. So here's something more robust.


I hope to exhibit a working demo at the LIWA Student Innovation Expo, 17th - 18th August 2012. Will post videos of a working model in a few days...

Yes I insist on using locally available things for making things since if we cant build it locally then we are denying ourselves the chance to learn how things are done. The design is simple: Three-wheeled device with GPS, on-board computer with wifi and Bluetooth (the antenna sticking out of the left (front) side, and servo actuators. 

 Here's how the build started and progressed. A cooking oil container is cut, fitted with wheels, steering servo, wiring, electronics and done and done!

Lets try an electronic Guide Dog, shall we:

The components are pretty basic: Servo motors to steer, GPS for navigation, camera for object detection (as well as SONAR and Infra-red). Simple! No? No?

So the idea is you can use it to guide visually impaired persons to and from their choice destinations precisely and using audio call outs ensure you don't have reliance on the electronic device.

Simple test bed with simple graphics capture and GPS module, and servo driver. Uses embedded computer to do the graghics computation

Baby walker wheels as usual as well as PVC tubing

Gumsticks!

Please lets all build these devices and help someone navigate easier, no?

Last weekend we headed to Matuguta Primary school to flight-test a restored Skywalker. gichangA had crashed it and restored it using expanding foam and wanted to give it a test.

Here, some students stayed long into the evening to watch the numerous flight test. In the photo above, you can see the wing tip at the bottom left corner.

A Club is born

This club is set forth to build and test cool innovation works of tech: Computers, Robots, and my favourite, Flying Things!!

In an attempt to boost morale of many primary and secondary school pupils, it hit me that often fun is the way to go! So this club aims to start, step by step, transformations of the mind through insightful journeys of technological innovation!

People learn by assimilation, and what better way of assimilation than through that which you perceive through your senses? And I mean sense of touch!

So lets get building and having fun!

Some of the ideas we have include:

• Computers: Build projects around them, including software projects, automation projects, a
• Robotics
• Electronic projects: Transistor radios, general electronics
• Things that fly: Planes, Copters, and others

Air planes are a wonder and Marvell of technology, despite the fact that they are a century old. Nothing is all-inspiring, I've found, than the development and operation of radio control airplanes. And so we've set out to do so using locally available materials.

One of our engineers is seen here busy at work on a Helicopter

Samuel and some of the Kids from Ngewa (Kwa-Maiko) in Kiambu County, fixing up a flying wing.

Here's the rear of the flying thing showing propeller, firewall and elevons. Next time: Flight Video!

See also nairobi-uav.blogspot.com for other related articles on UAV development.