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19.Invention, Intellectual Property and Income

Target Audience

My delivery robot is designed for:

  • Universities and technoparks that need small indoor delivery automation

  • Fab Labs and makerspaces for internal logistics

  • Students and researchers who want to study robotics and autonomous navigation

  • Small businesses that require safe and low-cost delivery platforms

The robot can also be used as an educational tool for teaching embedded systems, ROS2, SLAM, and CNC manufacturing.

Project Purpose

The main purpose of my project is to demonstrate how an affordable delivery robot can be built using:

  • Hoverboard BLDC motors

  • Custom electronics (ESP32 controller board)

  • Wi-Fi control

  • Locally manufactured chassis

  • 3D-printed parts

I want to share the complete workflow so other makers can replicate, improve, or adapt it to their own environment.

How I Will Share the Project

I plan to disseminate my project through these channels:

1. Fab Academy Documentation

My full documentation (design files, code, PCB, CAD, CNC files) is publicly available on the Fab Academy site.

2. GitHub / GitLab

  • After final evaluation, I will open-source:

  • Web interface code

  • ESP-IDF firmware

  • PCB design

  • 3D models

3. Workshops at Yessenov Technopark

I will use this robot as a teaching example for:

  • Embedded systems

  • CNC machining

  • Robotics fundamentals

  • Electronics design

4. Local Community / Schools

The robot can be demonstrated to school students as a part of STEM programs to inspire future engineers.

Licensing

I plan to release the project under the MIT License, because:

  • It allows free use, modification, and distribution

  • Other makers can build commercial or non-commercial versions

  • It is widely recognized and simple

All documentation (text + images) will be under CC BY-SA 4.0, which fits Fab Academy requirements.

Future Opportunities & Development

Although the robot already moves, carries objects, and is controllable through Wi-Fi, there are many improvements planned:

1. Full Autonomy

  • Add Jetson Nano / Orin Nano

  • Add LiDAR (YDLIDAR X3 Pro)

  • Implement SLAM with ROS2

  • Add path planning and obstacle avoidance

2. Better Chassis & Materials

  • Replace wooden prototype with aluminum

  • Improve shock absorption

  • Add modular sensor mounts

3. Advanced Sensors

  • Add IMU for stability

  • Upgrade from IR sensors to ultrasonic and LiDAR

  • Add camera-based obstacle detection

4. More Reliable Power System

Upgrade battery safety

Add BMS with smart monitoring

Create custom battery pack housing

5. Commercial Version

  • Possible future features for commercialization:

  • Mobile app

  • Real-time tracking

  • Auto docking station with wireless charging

  • Multi-floor navigation with elevators

Economic Model (Simple)

If the project becomes a small production unit in the future:

Costs

  • Motors and electronics: low-cost due to hoverboard reuse

  • 3D printing and CNC: affordable and local

  • PCB: fabricated in Fab Lab

  • Labor: assembly + testing

Revenue Model

  • Selling delivery robots for universities

  • Providing customization services

  • Offering robotic development kits

  • Workshops and training programs