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B SSBOT
Abstract:
BassBot is an electromechanical robot that plays an
electric bass guitar through user interface and presong programming. This unit allows the user to
download MIDI songs to play autonomously or play in
real time through the use of an iPad application.
[4] Rails
[5] Sliders
[6] Belts
[3] Pluck Solenoids
[2] Stepper Motors
[1] PC
[7] Lift Solenoids
[8] Secondary Microcontrollers
Marketing Requirements:
The BassBot…
• Plays an electric bass guitar
• Is autonomous
• Has high quality and diverse sound
• Keeps time with an internal metronome
• Syncs with an iPad
• Plays songs from processed MIDI files
• The iPad App is plug & play
• Songs can be loaded manually
• iPad shows notes being played in real time
• User can set a custom tempo
• BassBot is affordable
Design Requirements:
The BassBot…
• Must play a 4/4 time at 120 BPM
• Can move at 0.125s/fret
• Is programmed using C language
• Can play MIDI song files
• Can play single notes on multiple strings
• Can set a custom tempo
• Has sufficient force to press and pluck the string
• Can be played in real time using an iPad
• Cost not to exceed $700.00
Hardware Diagram
Software Diagram
PC
iPad
Bass Robot
[9] Primary Microcontroller
iPad/iOS
Main
Main
Menu
Menu
Vdd
Secondary
Microcontroller/
Stepper Drivers
Primary
Microcontroller
Power
(Vdd)
Play Live
Tech
Specs
Settings
Redpark Serial Cable
Vdd
Fret Board
Solenoids
Vdd
Plucking
Solenoids
Bass Guitar
Sweet Music!
Stepper
Motors
Microprocessors
Secondary
Microprocessor
Stepper
Motor Data
Sensor
Data
Primary
Microprocessor
Secondary
Microprocessor
Stepper
Motor Data
Sensor
Data
External Data Storage
Source
Secondary
Microprocessor
Stepper
Motor Data
Sensor
Data
[10] iPad
Theory of Operation:
The BassBot can either play song data from a MIDI file
processed by a PC [1] or play in real time through an iPad
[10] application. The PC interprets the MIDI file and
sends the data serially to the Primary Microcontroller [9].
The data is then assigned to the Secondary
Microcontrollers [8], each of which controls a Stepper
Motor [2], two Lift Solenoids [7], and a Pluck Solenoid [3].
The Stepper Motors drive Belts [6] that are connected to
Sliders [5] on Rails [4]. Once the Sliders are moved to the
appropriate location above the guitar, the Lift Solenoids
pull the Rail down to press the Slider on the string, as a
human finger would. At the correct point in the song, the
Pluck Solenoid plucks the string to play the note. In
contrast, when using the iPad, the user controls the
location of the sliders and the plucking, rather than the
MIDI data.
Secondary
Microprocessor
Stepper
Motor Data
Sensor
Data
* Trademarked logos of Apple, Fender, Microchip, Texas Instruments, and AlphaMicron
* 3D Representations of: iPad, PC, PCBs and Guitar from Google 3D Warehouse
Design Team 03:
Michael Prechel (EE) - Project Leader Greg Haren (EE) – Software Manager Joshua Kuzman (EE) – Hardware Manager Louis Begue (EE) – Archivist
• 2011-2012 Senior Design Capstone Project • Dr. Carletta and Dr. Lee, Faculty Advisors • Gregory A. Lewis, Senior Design Coordinator • Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering • College of Engineering • University of Akron •