Connecting to WIFI
Brendonshire
Posts: 2
I am wondering if many builders are connecting to bots via wifi?
And if so what they are using??
And when, if ever, is Parallax intending to add the wifi tool to the kit??
What I am wanting to do is to drive a robot through a virtual world that lives on my PC, does anyone know of others doing this?
Also does anyone know of groups or individuals that are using robots to gather data for geo mapping purposes??
And if so what they are using??
And when, if ever, is Parallax intending to add the wifi tool to the kit??
What I am wanting to do is to drive a robot through a virtual world that lives on my PC, does anyone know of others doing this?
Also does anyone know of groups or individuals that are using robots to gather data for geo mapping purposes??
Comments
Most smaller robots with wireless control links use Bluetooth or xBee or sometimes a simple transceiver like Parallax's 433MHz units. These all interface again via a serial port on the controller (like a Stamp).
2) I don't know if Parallax will offer a WiFi interface. It's not a good fit to the sort of robots they mostly make.
3) If you're dealing with a virtual world on your PC, what's the point of having an actual robot?
I agree with both you (your implied "where is WiFi" question)·and Mike. Small robots and WiFi seem mutually exclusive due to the power requirements. HOWEVER, I--and I imagine many others--build larger machines. My last two robots were both powered by dual 12 volt, 12 amp hour, lead acid batteries for a total of 12 volts at 24 amp hours. There is power to spare, big time. WiFi would be a perfect fit.
I posed·the WiFi·question on the SX forum, along with a POSSIBLE solution and a link. In my ignorance, I do not know if the solution at the end of the link is feasible to place on a mobile robot and communicate with it via WiFi from VB. (Basically, that was the question. Maybe I should have posed it here.)
When I learn the technology and techniques I need, I plan to buy a skid loader and turn it into an intelligent, remote controlled device. It may be a while. WiFi is doubtless not the answer. But, it is a step in the direction I want to take. I've already seen remote controlled, commercial "dirt packers." (I don't know their actual name.) If that is possible, then a skid loader is possible.
Currently, the "intelligence" portion of my machines consists of SX48 modules, Bluetooth, and a PC running VB. Eventually, I think they will consist of SX48 modules, some kind of radio frequency communications, and a rack of 1u devices. This will be true whether the machine also has remote control capability or not.
When I joined this most-excellent forum, I had two questions. WiFi was one of them. At the time I joined, a remote WiFi connection did not appear possible . . . or at least after considerable research, I could find nothing. Today, I THINK that has changed. Take a look at the link posted above. Maybe someone will give both of us a hint.
--Bill
ps My WIFE controlled RC Buster remotely today. If she can do it, I can do it. (She immediately did it better than I did. Too bad the videos I took were before she got home.)
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Other options include using something like Parallax's PINK Internet server along with a WiFi bridge. I have an old one made by SMC (the SMC2671W). I'm sure there are others you could use.
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
Leon, looks like one might need to be a C programmer to work with the nRF24L01+. A C programmer I am not!
Mike, I bookmarked the site. It looks very interesting. But, if I need to cut C code, I am out of biz. I'll check'em out.
Thank you, both.
--Bill
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You are what you write.
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
Please forgive my ignorance.
Are you saying that the nRF24L01 presents itself as a ready to roll serial to WiFi device and "all" I have to do is build the serial interface on the Stamp or SX end and write some PBasic or SX/B code?
How does a machine on my WiFi network see it? Does it do DHCP or is there a way for me to give it an ip address?
Of course, I have no idea how to do send/receive to it. Is it a web server? What would be neat is if it is a WiFi serial cable replacement!!!
I appreciate the time you spend thinking about this for me.
--Bill
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You are what you write.
Answers
1) Their solutions appear to be serial to 433MHz back to serial, wifi is built into all PCs and is much more of a standard. Power requirements are coming down. Don't get me wrong I don't care if the solution is wifi to serial on the bot end, I just want the comp to talk to the bot via wifi.
2) Tragic
3) I did mention a "real" virtual world. Mostly for education.
Oops 4) to your point of bluetooth, that is ok as well, I guess I forget that is standard.
I can experiment with the Parallax stuff, I just like their kit, and would prefer to stay in their solutions. Things that are designed to work together tend to do so very well and limits are known. Unlike when I throw together parts and then find limits.
Post Edited (Brendonshire) : 3/20/2009 1:20:39 AM GMT