Robot Evaluation

Over the course of 19 weeks I was given the task of creating a robot sidekick, to get started I done some research of the current market and futuristic characters to take inspiration from. Now I have completed my model I am reflecting on the work I have done seeing its benefits and flaws.

As I briefly explained before my model had to fit the brief of a robot sidekick, this opened many pathways of ideas that would all fit the spectrum, after my initial design to create a robot that looks cute and friendly, I later changed it to have many of the same features but more stern looking and more agile. Now I have finished I can say I have full confidence it has met this criteria as it has CCTV cameras, a storage compartment on his chest and grabber hands these features were added to give the model "efficient and agile” look meaning it can protect its self but still access most areas despite the terrain if needed to whilst still looking small and innocent. I completely believe my robot is a great sidekick due to the fact it is compact, fierce and well equipped making it very practical in most if not all situations. I ensured it would be fit for purpose by taking inspiration from other successful sidekicks and merging the characteristics. The main resemblance would be from Wall-e the robot from the film Wall -e the model sees a resemblance to Wall-e in the sense that it is compact, it ability to drive over most terrain and especially the wheels, the robots main reliance to manoeuvre. To ensure it had the full package I incorporated weapons seen on AT-ST’s from Star Wars such as the guns on the side of my model. All these factors combine ensure my model is successful.

When creating my model I had to ensure it was successful by using a variety of different modelling tools and skills such as: Booleans, extruding, bevel and UV mapping. Firstly, I incorporated a dropped edge around the door to my models chest storage compartment, I copied the main body and shrunk it in size, used Booleans to remove the area where they were in contact leaving me with the whole compartment sunk so I used the other copy of the body and placed it in the centre of the sunken area, I done this very effectively as the end product looked exactly how I imagined it and I believe it has enhanced the overall look and feel of the robot meaning deviating from my original plan has improved the robot. I also had to use extrusion to make the abnormal shapes seen on my model such as the main body. I did this by selecting the faces manipulating the shape and angle however, I had to ensure it was symmetrical as my model contains many clean lines.  

 

I incorporated many different shapes into my design and I used a combination of shapes to make smaller objects such as CCTV cameras and circuit boards. My most complex objects is most likely the circuit board seen through the transparent window in the chest compartment of my model, this is because it took a long time to create it and I have used different skills such and Booleans, this circuit board has many different shapes on it and it is very detailed, with the colours I have used it was very realistic. Texturing was probably my biggest challenge through the whole project, firstly I had to ensure all the edges of the texture lined up by using a texture map checker, the I had to source appropriate textures or create my own and then apply them, as easy as it sounds this process was very time consuming however I am happy with the final result, In the end I used the ENV chrome texture on Maya I changed it to this after I had feedback saying the metal texture was too dark.   

In order for the model to be rendered there must be lighting, this was also harder than anticipated as all the lights were very bright and it was hard to find a medium that was now to bright it took the colour away from the model but not to dark that you could’t see the models intricate details. I resolved this problem with many minor adjustments to the intensity and different positioning.   

I had eight non-bias responses to my model; all of the participants were around the age of my target audience. The feedback they gave me was that overall the model needs to stand out a bit more however there was a variety of age groups that they thought the model was directed at, most answers were above the audience I targeted at so I may have to make some adjustment and make the same people re-take the survey. I believe this was due to the dark textures. 7/8 people said that it suits the title of a “robot sidekick”.   

Overall, I believe that my model was very successful, as I had created a model that fits the brief on software I had never seen or used before meaning I have also personally accomplished a hurdle. As the project progress my confidence of the software grew and reflecting on my work I wish I chose a more complex design to start off with however my lack of knowledge for the software lead me to choose a more simple design. I can now take the skills that I have learnt into new projects. The hardest part of this project was dealing with unfamiliar software however, I feel that I achieved the best that I could with what I knew and I now have a successful model.  

Final Robot

This is my final robot with all my improvements made. I much prefer this new model and I feel its much more suited for my target market with its subtle looking approachability yet versatile functionality. With the grabber claw hands and tripod wheels makes the robot able to access almost all areas.