I have redesigned the original skull chassis to make it easier to mount sonar devices in the eye sockets. The first design did not have ridges so it would have been difficult to mount them in the sockets equal depths from each other. The new design has eye socket ridges so you can insert a sonar sensor until it hits flush with the internal ridge. I have also added cooling vents to both sides of the head to reduce weight and not for cooling. I think it improves the look of the design, even though it’s only purpose is to reduce the weight. I think it is important to be weight conscious since every added component to the bot makes it that much heavier.
To have one made is rather expensive: $270, but if we can get 20 interested people, it would only cost $37.60 each, (last time I checked was on 4/22.06). The only thing I am not sure about is how the sonar will work mounted in the eye sockets. As a personal project, I was going to de solder the sonar sensors from the board, mount them in the eye sockets, and then wire the sonar terminals to the original board mounted somewhere else on the bot. I have not tested to see if this would work so one needs to take that in to consideration when deciding to join the pool. The eye sockets could be used to mount anything the heart desires, it does not need to be a sonar sensor. The bottom of the skull will have four drilled and taped holes for mounting. The screws needed are the same standard screws used to mount the mini-ab board which are #4-40 screws.
The rough dimentions are 2.5" long by 2" wide (top down dimensions)
Estimated weight: 0.215 lbs.
Those interested, post in this thread. Mean while here is the latest image showing 4 views of the design:
