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Robot Repair in Los Angeles — Parallax Forums

Robot Repair in Los Angeles

RepublicSeanRepublicSean Posts: 4
edited 2012-10-31 09:44 in General Discussion
Hi, my name is Sean and I live in Los Angeles and I am interested in developing a robot my company has. The Robot is mainly used for recycling education in schools and community events. Its an animated robot with basic movements – head rotation, head tilt, right & left shoulder rotation, and right & left wheel rotation. The robot is controlled by a stamp BSII Chip. It also has a power distribution module that contains the power buss, fuses and plugs that distribute the 220 amp hour, 12 volt deep cycle batter.
The company we hired to design and build this robot is located on the east coast and we are located in LA.

Because of this we are looking for a company, or an individual to help with repairs as needed locally.I have lots of pictures that I would be willing to send over so you would be able to get a better idea of what we are talking about. Likewise, I would be more than happy to bring the robot by to show you the components.

Can anybody help me out or point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

Sean

Comments

  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-30 16:54
    Looks like a job for @erco!!! I do believe he is in LA.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-30 17:23
    Possibly. But if you have a satisfactorily working prototype already, it's probably more a matter of stocking up on motors, wheels, servos, etc for routine replacement.
  • RepublicSeanRepublicSean Posts: 4
    edited 2012-10-30 17:31
    That's a great idea. Thanks @erco and @NWCCTV. I can already tell you I have _NO_ idea as to what the parts are. Also, what if, in the future, we would like to copy this design and build another version. Would this be something that @erco could help us with? Identifying the pieces and maybe, if demand is high enough, producing a duplicate of the electronics in the future?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-30 17:34
    If it's BS2-based, make sure to get a copy of his code. BS2 stuff is easy enough for you to pick up and do yourself, believe me!
  • RepublicSeanRepublicSean Posts: 4
    edited 2012-10-30 17:37
    I don't know if he will provide a copy of his code or not, is that something that can be duplicated from the electornics
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-30 17:47
    Code cannot be recovered from the Stamp. Economically, it's in your best interest to get him to give you the code, or you'll have to (or pay someone else to) write it from scratch.
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2012-10-30 17:53
    The "code" can be easily copied from the EEPROM and burned to another, but it cannot be copied and then pasted into the IDE for revisions, modifications.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-30 18:04
    I stand (OK, sit) corrected.

    How "easily"?
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2012-10-30 18:12
    Solder jumper leads from it to a "universal programmer".
    "Universal programmer", that's a dubious handle, but here's an example http://microcontrollershop.com/default.php?cPath=92

    [I'm not recommending it, it's just an example, there are many such available.]
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2012-10-30 18:32
    Those programmers are all very expensive. The cheap & cheesy but mostly functional Genius G540 (available direct from Singapore on eBay for around $70) is fine for this sort of work. Or find a prophead to hook it up to a dev Propeller board and do the extraction with an obex I2C object and a few minutes of hack coding.

    On second thought: Does the Stamp editing tool have the ability to download a binary image? If not you'd have to do the same solder and hack job for every single unit, which would get old very quick.
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2012-10-30 18:43
    I got a USB "UP" on ebay.
    Once the "UP" reads the source eeprom that can be saved and can then be used to programme as many other eeproms as required.
    The point is: it's not impossible to do. Not to say that it's devoid of any element of work, but it's an operation fairly easy for someone who knows what he's doing.
    I don't think Rep.Sean is going into production any time soon.
  • RepublicSeanRepublicSean Posts: 4
    edited 2012-10-31 09:44
    disclaimer- I have no idea what I am doing. However, I apprecieate all of your input! Sorry for the intro. question but what program is used to write code? As far as I know, our commands are very simple - raise arms, move head/face, drive fwd, backwards turn left & right etc..

    Again thanks for all of your input!

    Sean
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