Hexy: My Journey into Hexapod Robotics

The Project

Hexy is more than just a toy; it’s a sophisticated learning tool that allowed me to explore various aspects of robotics:

1. Assembly: I purchased Hexy as a kit and assembled it myself, gaining valuable experience in robot construction.

2. Hardware: The robot features a modified Arduino Mega board, which serves as its brain and control center.

3. Programming: I programmed Hexy using C++, honing my skills in embedded systems programming.

4. Inverse Kinematics: Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this project was learning about inverse kinematics - the mathematical process of determining joint angles to achieve a desired position of the robot’s legs.

Learning Outcomes

Working with Hexy has been an incredible learning experience:

• Practical Robotics: Gained hands-on experience in building and programming a real robot.
• Arduino: Deepened my understanding of Arduino-based systems and their applications in robotics.
• C++ for Embedded Systems: Improved my C++ programming skills in the context of embedded systems.
• Inverse Kinematics: Acquired a basic understanding of inverse kinematics and its crucial role in robot movement.

Future Plans

While Hexy has already taught me a lot, there’s always room for more learning and improvement:

• Implement more complex movement patterns
• Integrate sensors for autonomous behavior
• Explore machine learning applications for adaptive locomotion