I want to make a Segway.

For the last couple of years, I have been giving presentations to encourage middle and high school students to pursue careers in engineering and science.  To keep the students' attention, I usually demonstrate a walking robot I built using an Oopic and a spider toy.  I used IR sensors to detect obstacles and a UV sensor to detect flames.  The robot was pretty cool, but it started to show some age.  We live in a world where educators and parents have to compete against the Internet, cellphones and video games, so it is tough for a small walking robot to hold the interest of young minds.

One of my co-workers told me about another co-worker at another facility who made a Segway (that was very convoluted).  I was shocked.  I never heard of a person building their own Segway, so I called up my co-worker and said how did you do it?  He told me to check out his YouTube videos.  He told me that they are very straight forward to make and require a little bit of hardware, software and some mechanical know how.  Then I realized this could replace my walking robot.  Students will love to see this versus my tiny robot (I hope). 

I called my father who recently retired from repairing and installing HVAC systems.  He now has a lot of time on his hand, so I enlisted him in the mechanical portion of the design while I would focus on the electronics.  Our goal is to build a Segway clone as cheap as possible, but of course we want to be safe and reliable.  I think it will be an awesome father and son project.

I started this blog to capture what I am doing and what I have learned and I hope whoever reads it can give me advice, feedback and be inspired to make a Segway too.

Photo of T-shirt design by Indie Tech