Pi-Casso

Group photo before hacking.
Moments before success of connecting the motors.
A collection of parts.

Inspiration

Originally we were aiming to build some sort of gambling app. However, that didn't pan out. Instead, we ended up really interested in the PheraTech challenge. While the challenge specifies to do it in a simulation, we have someone who likes drones. So we thought why not build it in real life? We carried that theme of making digital things real. This webapp takes what you draw online and draws it in real life with the help of a custom drone.

What it does

Pi-Casso has two modes: Canvas and Controller. In Canvas mode, the robot will draw what is sketched on the screen. For those who can remember, the Canvas mode is similar to an Etch A Sketch. This means that it is one line and one line only, no picking up the pen or erasing. Want a bit more of a personal touch? Then use Controller mode to add the fine details. No need to use those prehistoric drawing tools when a robot can do it for you!

How we built it

The front-end of Pi-Casso is built with the simple tools of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. No need for a fancy framework that over complicates everything. Pi-Casso's back-end is built in Python and C++. The drone (Pablo) is built with an Arduino + Raspberry Pi combo. It is fueled by a power bank. A few of the parts are 3D printed. There might be some Legos thrown in as well. The drone was made during KnightHacks. It was built with burnt hands and tears.

Challenges we ran into

Building the drone was a challenge. We had to scramble for parts and design a drone that would work. A few batteries might have exploded or caught fire.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

This is one of our first Hackathon projects we are proud of. Instead of solely chasing a prize, we decided to build for fun. We are also proud of the fact that it is a mix of hardware and software. This meant all of us had a chance to shine with our expertise,

What we learned

We learned how to set up Arduinos with Raspberry Pi. We also learned how to make an app that everyone can use (on computer or mobile). We also learned how to Agile develop. This project had a bunch of moving parts that needed to be done. If we had used a method like Waterfall, it would have never been done.

What's next for Pi-Casso

If we had more time, we would make the the robot design more refined. We would also try to add more precise drawing controls. Hopefully, this project would be more streamlined and able to be produced.