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Chapter 6:
Payloads
Everything that you attach to the Pioneer LX is referred to as the payload.
The Pioneer LX provides the mobility and navigation you will need, as well as power and I/O
connections between the platform and your payload, so the two can work effectively together.
Your payload may be added to the equipment mounting deck (see below), or you may replace the deck
and/or top plate with your payload. The Pioneer LX may be used with or without the top plate or deck or
both. The front portion of the top plate may be removed by removing the hinge from rear portion. The
rear portion may be removed by detaching the USB, serial and VGA ports, wifi antennas, and LCD panel.
(Note, the LCD panel with on/off buttons and e-stop must be connected to the LX core for the robot to
work, but it may be positioned anywhere on your robot or payload, such that the e-stop button is still
easily reached.)
Top plate/deck options. (Additional metal extrusion frame pieces in last figure not included with robot.)
Considerations
The main factors to consider in designing a payload are the size, weight, and center of gravity of the
payload, and power requirements. Adding weight to the Pioneer LX tends to have less effect on run-time
than adding electrical power requirements. Additional weight will have more effect on carpet than on
hard surfaces.
Weight
Increased payload weight will decrease your robot's run-time. This will be most noticeable if you are
driving the robot up an incline. On level ground, a certain amount of extra weight will not shorten the
robot's run-time very much. When adding a payload with substantial weight, the center of gravity of the
entire robot needs to be considered. This is particularly important if you intend to equip the Pioneer LX
with a robot arm, which would be lifting items off-center from the Pioneer LX.
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