There are some pretty amazing ideas out there on Kickstarter and we like to keep a close eye to the ground. A recent fascinating project, currently looking for pledges, is RK-1. RK-1, as described by its creator, is a “fun and affordable mobile robot”.

Wi-Fi Mobile Robot for iOS and Android Devices

RK-1 is the brainchild of Evangelos Georgiou, a PhD student and robotocist with a passion for robotics and a desire to share his love with the wider community, and builds upon the Arduino open-source electronic prototyping platform.

Using technology, and quite a bit of brain power and passion, Evangelos conceived the idea of a Wi-Fi Arduino mobile robot for iOS & Android devices and the RK-1 was born.

The RK-1 currently takes the form of a small vehicle with movement supplied by tank tracks and DC motors. Currently an iOS device can be used to form an ad-hoc wireless network through which the vehicle can controlled wirelessly through swipe gestures. The vehicle on-board battery can be charged using a mini USB cable.

The stretch goal of the live streaming camera is pretty exciting to us and Evangelos told us, “I already have a prototype of the CMOS serial camera working but I need that level of funding to make it affordable for users”.

As the robot is built using the Arduino platform the robots abilities can be extended through integrating with sensors, both analog and digital. This makes the RK-1 an exciting project for budding technology experts and hobbyists alike.

See the RK-1 in Action

Project Campaign Closes on 7th July, 2013

RK-1 has 12 days of its campaign left to run and has achieved £2,372 of its £5,000 initial goal and the project will only receive the funding if it meets its initial goal. Additional stretch goals, if pledges exceed the initial goal, include a range sensor and a live video streaming camera.

To learn more about, and support, the campaign head over to Kickstarter: Wifi Arduino mobile robot for iOS & Android devices.