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ROBOTICS CLUB UKULELE ROBOT

Robotics Club Ukulelebot: Text

The CMU Robotics Club’s Roborchestra project has been ongoing for many years, and so far, 4 robotic instruments have been added to the ensemble. They are all percussion instruments however, requiring only a basic striking motion from a servo or a solenoid to create sound. The project has been in want of a string instrument-playing robot for a while, with the most realistic target identified as a ukulele-playing robot. 

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In the Fall 2019 semester, I served as Roborchestra's Mechanical Lead, my first priority being the completion of the UkuleleBot. However, a close secondary priority was to involve the wider Hardware Team, as well; this group consisted primarily of underclassmen non-Mechanical Engineering majors. This posed an interesting challenge requiring leadership, planning, and teaching.

Robotics Club Ukulelebot: Text
Solidworks Model
Solidworks Model
Solidworks Model
Robotics Club Ukulelebot: Gallery

The current design features two main components, the plucking component and the fretting component. The plucking component consists of 4 micro-servos arranged in alternating row, with 3D printed guitar pick holders attached to their joint; each servo is responsible for plucking one string. The fretting component consists of four servos, each fitted with a “finger” that presses down on one string; each servo is mounted on a motorized slide potentiometer, allowing it to change position along the neck of the ukulele.

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The components of the robot are 3D printed or laser-cut. The parts were at first designed in Solidworks by the more junior members of the team, before being edited and iterated on by me.

Robotics Club Ukulelebot: Text
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