Welcome to the Silver Sumo Site!

The Silver Sumo is based off of a kit created by the good folks at the Ottawa Robotics Enthusiasts (ORE). 

The kit, aptly named IgORE, was designed to give the someone everything they needed in a microcontroller board, plus to give them a basic mechanical body to use with the board. IgORE was designed so that it was within the specifications for mini-sumo competitions. This site is designed to give a general overview of the robot. If there is a demand, I can add specifics to all of my modifications - mechanically, electronically or software.

Current Project Status : Mature

While the Silver Sumo has been a good test bed for the IgORE PCB the time has come to move on to other projects. That doesn't mean I am finding the Silver Sumo inadequate as a robot platform, it means that if I started changing a lot of things on it, then it wouldn't be the Silver Sumo anymore. It has already gone through 2 major revisions, it is about time to create some other robots to give this little 'bot some competition in the ring!!

Silver Sumo Wish List

These are things that just did not get integrated into the Silver Sumo, and I found that would make things easier, neater or just plain handy!

• A second sharp IR proximity sensor mounted on the front scoop, offset to the side of the first sharp sensor.
  • This would allow me to determine which direction a target in front of the Silver Sumo is moving. Currently my search algorithm involves always turning in the same direct to look for a lost target (mini-sumo program) or scanning back and forth multiple times, increasing the scanning range each time (guardian program)
• Isolating the motors from the electronics a little more.
  • I am not sure any more if the noise from the motors, or the current draw from the motors is causing the electronics to reset under high loads. Some shielding for the electronics would help with the noise.
• The o-rings are a double edged sword in my case. 
  • They give great traction, but they also pull themselves off of the pulleys when the Silver Sumo is spinning in place. I should add some smaller pulleys or pins to keep the o-rings on the pulleys when they are turning.
• New motors would be great for the Silver Sumo, to give both more speed, and higher reliability. 
  • This would also mean more problems with the battery pack dying too quickly, or not giving enough power at all.

Ideas, comments and flames should be sent here : ncogghe@SPAM.BAD.kent.net (Remove the obvious)

Silver Sumo Evolution

• Original IgORE Kit
• Silver Sumo - Revision I
• Silver Sumo - Revision II

Silver Sumo Programming

• Revised Igorelib for additional hardware 
• Silver Sumo Hardware Routines
• Main Sumo Program
• Guardian Program