West Covina S.W.A.T. Robot

 

 

This project started out as a high school attempt at designing a Tactical robot for the West Covina S.W.A.T. Team in Southern California. Officer Brian Prizzi of the W.C.P.D. approached the class with the idea and then proceeded to solicit money and parts for the robot. The Machine Lab was asked to help the high school students design this machine to aid in tactical operations such as surveillance, inspection, negotiations, equipment/food delivery and object retrieval/disposal. 

This was an incredibly ambitious project for the High School and they ended up with a lack of time and resources to effectively finish the project. Upon this realization, officer Prizzi asked The Machine Lab to finish the machine to its fullest potential while considering its "shoe-string" budget.

So, we accepted the challenge of finishing the design of the drive train, arm mechanics, and electrical control of 14 different functions. The robot is battery powered and operated via. a wireless controller.

The robot can climb curbs, peek into windows, open doors, see in total darkness, manipulate suspicious objects and carry a payload.

The West Covina Police Department immediately realized the potential of such a versatile tool and has already incorporated the robot into its training exercises.

The Robot was named BULLDOG after the West Covina High School's mascot. Hopefully Bulldog will give the W.C.P.D.  the ability to carry out its missions more efficiently and more safely.

Here is a copy of the Press Release.

 

 

 

BULLDOG Tactical Robot Specs
Power:  

 24 Volt Gel Lead Acid Batteries   

      (2 hours run time)
 Weight:  150 pounds
Speed:   6 ft/sec
Vision:  1 Color 200X Zoom Pan/Tilt Camera            1 Color/B&W Infrared camera               Audio is also transmitted to operator           via Microphone
Arm:

Shoulder 120 degrees

Elbow 180 degrees

Wrist UP/DOWN 180 degrees

Wrist rotate 270 degrees

Gripper open/close

 

Reach of 40 inches

 

Can lift 50 pounds retracted

Can lift 15 pounds fully extended

 

Can open doors
Scissor Lift 30 inches of lift for Pan/Tilt/Zoom Camera
Lights 2 x 40 watt halogen flood lights