My final project is an automated Dalek which can drive around, has blinking LEDs, and sound output all running with integrated wireless power suply. It is possible to controll the Dalek with a desktop application or run it with some predefined patterns. After starting to design my own 3D model (see exercise 02) I used the 3D model from snifikino with an additonal ring to stabilize the dome without gluing it like most of the components. The materials used beside the fillament for the 3D printed parts are 2 motors, 2 LEDs, the custom board with the MSP420, some soldering material, resistors and diodes, and pinheaders. The suspension is made with lasercut acrylic glass but the material is exchangable. The costs of the fillament used are about 5.34 euros ( 30 euro per kg, Dalek weight is 178g), 10 bluetooth module, 3 battery, 2 batterycase, 3 motors, and 5 for electronics. Together with glue and tape and minor materials about 30 euros. This project includes 3D and 2D design, lasercutting, 3D printing, PCB milling, soldering, coding, glueing, and fun.

The Dalek is more a geeky toy that is not meant to be used with any deeper meaning. All files for making your onwn automated Dalek can be downloaded here. Of course there are many possible features to add or impove. For example a one can make a mobile application for remote controlling the Dalek. Add distance sensors to make the Dalke detect obstacle and eva... EXTERMINATE! them. Another funny option is to make the eye rod, gun, and plumber explicitly movable with electronics.

Project Plan

The plan of making a Dalek was developed at the beginning. What I did was to make a list of realizable features. Then a board was designed to cover all the neccessary electronics like blinking LEDs on the head, motorized movement, batteries as power supply, bluetooth for wireless controll, and a mini speaker. The goal was to cover as many features and parts for the Dalek with the weekly assignments. For example the board for the Dalek, the input and output devices, the software for communication and wireless control. In the end it worked out pretty good. The Dalek had all parts and electronics hidden inside and some assignments could be covered. The schedule for the project in the last weeks was as follows. Week 17: Assembling of the 3D printed part with superglue except for the conjunction of the torso and skirt and the skirt itself. The electronics had to be accesible. Week 18: buildung the suspension and attaching the motors to the board and connecting all parts including the batteries to the board and load the program to the board. Week 19: Creat the demo video and presentation slide.