Projects

Projects

Welcome to my project portfolio. I’m Hunter, an engineer with a passion for robotics, automation, and machine design. Here, I share detailed guides on the systems I’ve built, from drones to robotic arms, to inspire and inform fellow engineers. Each project below includes an overview, technical details, and progress updates, written to help you understand the build process or spark ideas for your own work. Questions or suggestions? Reach me at mail@hntr.rs.

Autonomous Drone

Overview

This project is an autonomous quadcopter designed for waypoint navigation and basic obstacle avoidance. It combines a custom flight controller with off-the-shelf components, ideal for engineers interested in aerial robotics and unmanned systems.

Technical Details

  • Components: ArduPilot-compatible flight controller (In my case, a CubePilot Cube Orange)GPS module, ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection, 2200mAh LiPo battery.

  • Software: ArduPilot firmware for flight control, Python scripts for mission planning and telemetry over Wi-Fi.

  • Build Notes: The drone uses a carbon fiber frame for durability. PID tuning was critical to stabilize hover and navigation. Current challenge is improving indoor flight accuracy.

  • Status: Testing enhanced sensor integration for confined spaces.

  • Visuals: [Placeholder: Photo of the quadcopter on a workbench, showing the GPS module and sensor array wired to the Raspberry Pi.]

Why Build It?

This drone is a great way to dive into autonomous systems. It’s rewarding to see a machine navigate a course you’ve programmed, and the skills learned (PID tuning, sensor integration) apply to many robotics projects.

Remotely Piloted Golf Cart

Overview

This project transforms a standard golf cart into a remotely piloted vehicle, controlled via a laptop or smartphone. It’s a practical introduction to teleoperation and vehicle control systems.

Technical Details

  • Components: ESP32 module for Wi-Fi, Raspberry Pi 5, Sixfab 5G Modem, 1080p webcam for live video.

  • Software: Custom Python control scripts, HTML/CSS/JavaScript UI for remote steering and throttle, WebRTC for low-latency video streaming.

  • Build Notes: The biggest hurdle was retrofitting the cart’s steering system with servos for precise control. Ensure robust Wi-Fi coverage for reliable operation.

  • Status: Optimizing video feed latency and adding joystick support.

  • Visuals: [Placeholder: Image of the golf cart with the control board mounted, showing the webcam and servo setup.]

Why Build It?

Turning a golf cart into a teleoperated platform is a fun way to explore vehicle automation. It’s scalable—start simple, then add features like autonomous path-following.

3D Printer Motherboard as Robotic Arm Controller

Overview

This project repurposes a 3D printer motherboard (BigTreeTech Octopus H723) to control a 3-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, demonstrating how to adapt existing hardware for new applications.

Technical Details

  • Components: BigTreeTech Octopus H723, three high-torque servo motors, custom arm frame (3D-printed), power supply unit.

  • Software: Modified Klipper firmware for arm kinematics, Python scripts for motion planning, LSTM neural network to smooth servo movements.

  • Build Notes: Rewriting Klipper to handle non-Cartesian kinematics was challenging but rewarding. Ensure servos are calibrated to avoid jitter.

  • Status: Refining firmware for smoother arm trajectories.

  • Visuals: [Placeholder: Diagram of the robotic arm’s structure, with the Octopus board connected to servos.]

Why Build It?

This project showcases the power of open-source hardware. Repurposing a $50 board for robotics saves costs and teaches you to think creatively about existing tools.

Solar-Powered WiFi Band Relay Network (In Progress)

Overview

This project builds a mesh network of WiFi relay nodes powered by solar panels, designed for off-grid communication in areas without reliable power or internet. Each node extends the WiFi signal across a band (e.g., 2.4GHz or 5GHz), enabling long-range data relay for emergency or remote setups.

Technical Details

  • Components: ESP32 modules (for WiFi mesh routing), small solar panels (5W polycrystalline), TP4056 charging modules, 18650 Li-ion batteries (2600mAh), weatherproof enclosures (IP65-rated), directional antennas for extended range.

  • Software: ESP-Mesh library for node-to-node communication, Python scripts on a Raspberry Pi gateway for network monitoring and data aggregation, MQTT protocol for lightweight messaging.

  • Build Notes: Position nodes with line-of-sight for optimal signal relay (up to 1km per hop with antennas). Balance solar input against power draw—ESP32 in deep sleep mode consumes under 20µA. Test battery life in varying weather conditions.

  • Status: Prototyping the first two nodes and calibrating the mesh for low-latency handoffs.

  • Visuals: [Placeholder: Photo of a single relay node assembly, showing the solar panel mounted on the enclosure with ESP32 and antenna visible.]

Why Build It?

In grid-down scenarios, reliable communication is critical. This network provides a resilient, low-cost alternative to satellite or cellular systems, teaching valuable lessons in RF engineering, power management, and distributed networking.

More projects are in development. Check back for new builds, or email me at mail@hntr.rs to discuss ideas or share your own projects.