Chessbot is a fast and compact chess playing robot. We use a two axis gantry system with an electromagnet dragging the chess pieces, each chess piece has a magnet in it, which is detected by our magnetometer array PCB. So, we know where pieces are, can move them, and can light up lights to inform the user of the game’s status. During the 2024-25 school year, we are working on making a better, faster CoreXY gantry, better, smaller detection logic PCB, and just making the whole board more reliable.
Chessbot representing RAS at Freshman Orientation 2024
Chessbot representing RAS at Freshman Orientation 2024
PXL_20240930_233515054.TS(1)-e.mp4
Documentation on setting up Chessbot v1 (TODO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBSKyyB-4Uk&t=59s
This MQTT graph illustrates the data flow and topic subscriptions between different Python nodes in the Chessbot system. Each node (e.g., Path Planner, Magnet Analyzer, Board Analyzer) publishes or subscribes to specific MQTT topics (like /robotmoves, /path, /boardstate) to coordinate tasks such as move analysis, path planning, and physical piece movement via the stepper motor. The system integrates a chess engine, online play, and magnet sensor feedback to track and execute player and robot moves
Implementation of a recording that moves from b2 to b3
Implementation of a recording that moves from b2 to b3
Team
We are a team of approximately 8 people, and are split into mechanical, electrical, and software subteams. Many members are part of multiple teams, so they get experience doing multiple things.
As of March ‘25, the mechanical team has designed and is assembling our new CoreXY gantry and fully transparent acrylic box. The electrical team has designed and is assembling our new smaller chessboard PCB. The software team is working on adding new features like a touchscreen for control, a website for debugging the robot state, and voice control for “Wizard Chess” mode.