Personal Notes:

1- Objective: The end result is clear (A load-bearing platform that maintains a horizontal position at all times via a feedback system that continuously and rapidly adjusts to the motion of the moving object such as a delivery truck, trolly, ambulance etc).  

2- How to Get There: I have yet to research the best mechanism or approach to achieve the above objective. Issues to be taken into consideration

• Feedback and response time: The design should be able to handle sudden changes in position and adjust fast enough to assure maximum stability possible. 
• Steadiness: The mechanism must assure a smooth and steady platform adjustments through a reasonable dampening system.
• User friendliness: The system must be user friendly in terms of Installation, operation, power consumption and mobility from one platform to another (For example it can be carried from a trolly to a back of a delivery truck)
• Cost: Depending on the intended use of the system, the cost must be feasible. For the proof on concept, we will try to use low cost materials to achieve our minimum objective requirements.
• I did some research on possible solutions and I am considering to use one or a combination of the following
• Delta Robot (In my Case it will be like a reverse Delta Robot) mechanism with Arduino accelerator sensors Delta Robot Example
  
• Gyroscopic based system with Arduino accelerator sensors. Below some links of some crazy gyro ideas
  
• Anti-Gravity Wheel
• The Cubli: a cube that can jump up, balance, and 'walk
• CoffeeMate self balancing platform
• Self-Balancing Platform
• Hexapod Positioners: These are based on electrical actuators and provide great flexibility and load bearing properties  Hexapod Positioners
• A pure mechanical system that will use the gravitational down force of the transported item for self leveling

3- CAD Preliminary Design

• I used Sketchup for my preliminary design concept.
  
• Our local coordinator Mr. Salman Oriabi gave me a starter session  as I had ZERO knowledge in CAD design tools.
• I got familiar with some basic functions and tools and tried to draw my design of a delivery truck with the Self-Balancing platform inside.
• I struggled with drawing a reasonable robotic arm so I used Sketchup 3D warehouse to import a robotic arm which I then modified it into a 3 arm system. 

4- Collaboration with other Fab members:

• I discussed my idea with Abdulla Al Qasmi, A Bahrain Fablab member who is a mechanical engineer with good knowledge in Robotics and Gyrscope mechanisms.
• We decided to have a brain storming session to decide about the best approach to tackle the project and decide on the most suitable mechanism and design.

5- Basic Design Concept

Fig-1 (My first attempt at sketchup)

Fig-2 (Imported robotic arm file from Sketchup 3D warehouse)


Fig-3 (Modified Robotic balancing Arm)

FFig-4 (Preliminary Concept design of the Self-Balancing Platform)