Robots & IoT 2016 Completed

Multipurpose Mobile Manipulator MkII — Megamark

Bigger, better, and stronger — the Megamark is a full-size humanoid robot platform with an all-metal aluminum body, 6–8 hour battery life, cross-platform support, and modular 3D-printed grippers for tasks like delivering coffee, watering plants, drawing pictures, and DIY telepresence.

RoboticsArduinoPythonAluminumMobile RobotOpen SourceChoitekCMUTelepresenceCC-BY-SAAgora IO

Overview

The Multipurpose Mobile Manipulator MkII, nicknamed the Megamark, is the upgraded successor to the MMM MkI. It’s bigger, better, and stronger — now featuring an all-metal aluminum body for improved durability and payload capacity, plus a host of new features.

Key Features

  • All-metal aluminum body — base, arms, and chest detach for easy transportation and storage
  • Two 12V 7AH SLA batteries — 6–8 hours of runtime under normal load, with battery life indicator
  • Arduino Mega 2560 — connects to the robot’s laptop-for-a-face via USB
  • Modular 3D-printed grippers — swap end effectors for different tasks (coffee delivery, plant watering, door opening, and more)
  • Plenty of mounting holes — easily add custom sensors and electronics
  • 0.5kg payload capacity per arm

Software & Compatibility

Works on Mac, Windows, Linux and ChromeOS. Programmable in:

  • Python 2.7
  • Arduino IDE
  • Processing
  • Unity
  • RobotC

DIY Telepresence

The Megamark was extended with a telepresence app (built for the Agora IO Hackathon 2018) allowing remote piloting from anywhere in the world via internet connection. Features:

  • Audiovisual streaming via Agora IO
  • Keyboard-based remote motor control
  • Optional 180° fish-eye lens with 3D hemisphere rendering mode
  • Single standalone Windows-friendly executable

Support & Recognition

Made possible with generous support from:

  • Project Olympus — CMU entrepreneurship accelerator
  • CMU Robotics Club
  • NSF I-Corps CMU Branch
  • CMU Undergraduate Research Office
  • Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry
  • Henry Armero Memorial Award for Inclusive Creativity

Licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0.