To extend an idea someone else had, I would really like to see a programmable GUI, instead of a set GUI.
To be more specific, it would be really cool to be able to program GUI windows in the SimpleIDE editor. The available graphics would include windows that resemble the windows that the programmer can create using the JComponent class in Java.
I have a number of ideas currently that would work, and look, a lot better if I could create something like a JLabel.
Could this be a separate application (also separate from Matt's contest) ?
Could you explain how the GUI windows would be used ? I have some ideas of what you mean, but it would be best if you presented them so it's clearer.
SimpleIDE has been getting complicated on the inside trying to make the outside simple (totally opposite from the original meaning before it got morphed).
Don't want to hijack the thread, so if there are many many details, another thread might be useful.
Mundane doesn't create buzz. Bzzz, bzzz, bzzz, bzzz ... see, you notice that bee hovering around your cupcake at the picnic. I don't think it has to be a game changer to be noticed. Just something that addresses a need for the Arlo target audience, but at the same time would make for some interesting videos.
To off-quote The Right Stuff, "No bzzz, no Buzz Aldrin."
Isn't Arlo a platform that the end user is to expand upon?
Arlo already offers potentials end users will not use. From the manufacturer I expect the opportunity to create a robot that enables my specific application. From an educational standpoint a reusable/multipurpose application that can handle some wear and tear. It seems you already have that. Looking through the Parallax store and available sensors I don't see the need to offer any more attachments. It's nice to have the option, but is that a Parallax problem?
A lot of the suggestions here are functional, but none are proprietary to Arlo, anyone can develop these systems on any platform. If you had something that only Arlo could do it might be another story. Arlo doesn't seem to have a proprietary quality. Let's focus on what it already has.
Arlo has more real estate per price point, and that is a great benefit. Manufacturer's are always releasing short run, high investment products. These products need refinement, they need continuance, and they need to be on the market long enough to be developed upon if anyone is to see a return. If you were to add anything, add years of revisions with no discontinuance and lowered price point.
Sure I have some ideas what to do with Arlo, but everything moves too fast. If I were producing the medium to allow these projects to happen I'd forget about the end result and concentrate on the beginning of the process, something you already have control over. Push Arlo out at a lower price point until it stomps all over every other available option and let more end users develop whatever they want on it.
Also, if the contest is still open, if I were to add anything to Arlo it would be a train horn, I guess an air compressor and holding tank would be needed as well.
Different strokes. If you just want to offer a barebones platform for hobbyists to expand, Arlo's all done. MadeUSA and Eddie had their heydays, but both seemed pretty short to me.
From what little I know, Arduino has demonstrated that most people don't really tinker all that much anymore. Certainly not like they used to, sadly. Breaks my heart. "DIY" and "Maker" mostly mean "plug & play" to the instant gratification crowd. Some of that comes from the world's short attention span, and some comes from the educational market (which would be a very sweet and profitable segment for Parallax to get into). There are high school students who only have an hour or two a week to play, and college folks who need a ready-to-go platform which gets from A to B without any fuss, onto which they can add their thesis feature. If a standardized Arlo was selected by a few school programs and catered to their needs by offering the right add-on modules, that might be the start of something big. LEGO, FTC and US First are huge, and get funding from schools and corporate sponsorship. Their parts are not cheap. http://www.hitechnic.com/products
Heathkit used to offer fully assembled versions of their kit robots, that might not be a bad idea to appeal to the PhD crowd, where another couple thousand dollars isn't a big deal at all. Could be a secondary business, like SEMA is to the auto manufacturers. Heck, I know a lot people who would love to assemble kit-based robots for well-paying Ivy Leaguers, myself included.
1. Caster fix. I know you asked this tongue-in-cheek, but how do you "fix" the caster in a 4-point robot? One potential demi-semi-quaver fix could be for Parallax to offer a slightly modified version where one caster is 1/4" or even 1/2" shorter. This would allow the robot to go over carpet transitions, though realistically, the target user for these kinds of "lab" robots is in a college or university robotics lab, and the floor is smooth sailing.
2. Expandability. That is the concept for the Arlo, but my hunch is that Parallax is looking for interesting add-ons they can offer that give the platform a little more "oomph."
I'm not sure anything needs to be proprietary these days, or even benefit from it. I don't think anyone believes servo controller boards, camera adapters, MIDI plugs-in, or whatever are truly proprietary or exclusive to a specific platform like Arduino or Raspberry Pi. But the availability of these add-ones engineered for those platforms increases interest, and drives sales of the base component.
Yup, Laser scanner, and a Bumper system.. Oh, and if you can find a decent fix for the caster problem, that would be good too...:)
A bumper system would be a slap in the face to a capable laser scanner. What say instead we just increase the wattage of the laser so that nearby obstacles are simply vaporized?
A bumper system would be a slap in the face to a capable laser scanner. What say instead we just increase the wattage of the laser so that nearby obstacles are simply vaporized?
Rats!!!! Just saw this one. I would load it up with the various gas sensors and IR and Cameras from the parallax site. Tie these to a fairly good (strong) wireless transceiver and use for SAR and inspection in hazardous environments.
That is what the last couple of generation of C-Arms in the Cardiac and Neuro-Angio suites use for detecting say a foot or footswitch or other obstructions. They are a fairly heavy rubber tubing for the actual detectors.
You could probably implement this with a diaphragm and micro-switch rather than a pressure converter and software overhead. That could probably be made to be fairly sensitive.
My thought was to use larger diameter 1/2" silicone tubing between the robot and a rigid bumper, relatively thick walled to provide the springiness. I can't image that a pressure sensor could not detect the tube being squeezed. A pinhole might be required so that it equalizes with ambient pressure. Some time ago when Parallax asked about pressure sensors I strongly suggested to use one with a nipple as it would be more versatile. Oh well...
One item that Parallax doesn't seem to have for any of their robots would be set of magnetic sensors for a buried wire. Kind of like the old AGV used on factory floors for navigation. Some of those sensors would be nice to experiment with. May help students learn about something they may run into at some factories. Along with that a transmitter w/wire that could be placed or taped onto the floor. Maybe a couple different frequencies. Different ones for different paths. It could also be used to simulate the boundaries like the autonomous lawnmowers use in case someone wants to use ARLO to prototype the navigation for a project like that.
. It could also be used to simulate the boundaries like the autonomous lawnmowers use in case someone wants to use ARLO to prototype the navigation for a project like that.
Robert
Parallax did something similar to this year in Washington:
I saw it first hand, and it worked well consireing the large amount of traffic.
After a quick search on eBay we decided to order some electric dog collars and invisible fence products from China. We’ve hacked and mounted the dog collar electronics to the Arlo’s chassis and connected the sensor’s output pins to the Propeller Activity Board’s A/D converter. We couldn’t find an off-the-shelf invisible fence product for robots, but maybe we’ll design one after this experience. Heck, Daniel already sketched out the schematic!
I must have missed the electric fence project. Did that go anywhere? I think that would be a nice add on for Parallax to consider carrying.
While we're on the topic of en electric fence how about just making an add-on sensor that can pickup the IR signals from the Roomba Virtual wall? That way the ARLO and other robots can leverage some of the existing gadgets we may already have. You can get those virtual walls cheap now and just by having a sensor on the robot base we can use those. It's nice to be able to use some of these gadgets for multiple robots so you don't need to duplicate the "Robot Infrastructure" for each robot in your house.....
I like a lot of the suggestions, I also like a lot of the "overview commentary". Question is: can we award prizes for good commentary...perhaps?
Give me a bit while I sort it out.
-MattG
Here's what we've got to choose from:
1.Emic2 and/or an EasyVR
2. automated re-charging system
3. IMU + sf02 for automated mapping
4. goolge VR
5. add-on calendar J
6. body framework like that of the old Hero robots
7. external GPS antenna or other high-ish power antenna is some sort of mounting pole
8. some sort of body framework like that of the old Hero robots
9. Laser or more likely IR-based navigation with sufficient range to enable whole-house navigation
10. a vision system, even if it's just a blob tracker
11. Make a complete kit available. You do offer all the parts individually but, a complete kit is a lot easier
12. indoor navigation system that used time-of-flight beacons.
13. Some sort of display! Even if it's just a couple of 8x8 LED matrixes.
14. RoboPeak $400 Laser Scanner
15. A kind of fender with spring with elasticity
16. WiFi
17. Are flamethrowers and missile launchers right out? YES.
18. bluetooth module with a simple AndroidApp with some buttons/sliders etc. so that you can easily control some functions of the ARLO with your phone
19. A user-friendly GUI.
20. length of surgical tubing sealed at one end and connected to a pressure sensor
21. a camera. The camera would have build in capability for face detection
22. Telepresence package to make Arlo into a security patrol bot: wifi, camera with pan/tilt, monitor, and enough sensors to detect light, sound, motion and navigate a preprogrammed path autonomously and also driven remotely. Also need an autodock recharger.
23. If you were to add anything, add years of revisions with no discontinuance and lowered price point.
24. a train horn
25. a good $400 360-degree laser scanner
26 a decent fix for the caster problem
27. a capable laser scanner
28. various gas sensors and IR and Cameras Tie these to a fairly good (strong) wireless transceiver
29. set of magnetic sensors for a buried wire
30. We couldn’t find an off-the-shelf invisible fence product for robots, but maybe we’ll design one after this experience. Heck, Daniel already sketched out the schematic!
31. an add-on sensor that can pickup the IR signals from the Roomba Virtual wall
Did I miss any?
-MattG
"CJ7 Renegade when single, Cherokee when married"
Rsadeika wins the "I Don't Want To Die Alone Award" with his "Automated re-Charging System" concept.
OBC wins the "No More Naked Bots" Award with his "Body Framework" suggestion.
Paul K. wins the "That's Obvious Award" with his "Complete Kit” entry..
rogersyd wins the "Subtle Humor Award" for his "A power-distribution system for such a bot would be great! .... oh wait...”.
Erco. wins the "That's Kind of Obvious Award", Second Place"“ with his "A user-friendly GUI”.
Xanadu wins the "I Really Wish Robot Parts Manufacturers Would Quit Changing The Foundation of My Robot Structure" Award with the “If you were to add anything, add years of revisions with no discontinuance and lowered price point” Suggestion.
Prizes TBD - But I need PM's with mailing addresses from each of the Lucky Contestants!
-Matt "All Decisions Are Final unless you point out a mistake I made" G.
Rsadeika wins the "I Don't Want To Die Alone Award" with his "Automated re-Charging System" concept.
OBC wins the "No More Naked Bots" Award with his "Body Framework" suggestion.
Paul K. wins the "That's Obvious Award" with his "Complete Kit entry..
rogersyd wins the "Subtle Humor Award" for his "A power-distribution system for such a bot would be great! .... oh wait....
Erco. wins the "That's Kind of Obvious Award", Second Place" with his "A user-friendly GUI.
Xanadu wins the "I Really Wish Robot Parts Manufacturers Would Quit Changing The Foundation of My Robot Structure" Award with the If you were to add anything, add years of revisions with no discontinuance and lowered price point Suggestion.
Prizes TBD - But I need PM's with mailing addresses from each of the Lucky Contestants!
-Matt "All Decisions Are Final unless you point out a mistake I made" G.
Comments
Could this be a separate application (also separate from Matt's contest) ?
Could you explain how the GUI windows would be used ? I have some ideas of what you mean, but it would be best if you presented them so it's clearer.
SimpleIDE has been getting complicated on the inside trying to make the outside simple (totally opposite from the original meaning before it got morphed).
Don't want to hijack the thread, so if there are many many details, another thread might be useful.
To off-quote The Right Stuff, "No bzzz, no Buzz Aldrin."
What Gordo is saying is...
Friggin A, Bubba.
Arlo already offers potentials end users will not use. From the manufacturer I expect the opportunity to create a robot that enables my specific application. From an educational standpoint a reusable/multipurpose application that can handle some wear and tear. It seems you already have that. Looking through the Parallax store and available sensors I don't see the need to offer any more attachments. It's nice to have the option, but is that a Parallax problem?
A lot of the suggestions here are functional, but none are proprietary to Arlo, anyone can develop these systems on any platform. If you had something that only Arlo could do it might be another story. Arlo doesn't seem to have a proprietary quality. Let's focus on what it already has.
Arlo has more real estate per price point, and that is a great benefit. Manufacturer's are always releasing short run, high investment products. These products need refinement, they need continuance, and they need to be on the market long enough to be developed upon if anyone is to see a return. If you were to add anything, add years of revisions with no discontinuance and lowered price point.
Sure I have some ideas what to do with Arlo, but everything moves too fast. If I were producing the medium to allow these projects to happen I'd forget about the end result and concentrate on the beginning of the process, something you already have control over. Push Arlo out at a lower price point until it stomps all over every other available option and let more end users develop whatever they want on it.
Also, if the contest is still open, if I were to add anything to Arlo it would be a train horn, I guess an air compressor and holding tank would be needed as well.
From what little I know, Arduino has demonstrated that most people don't really tinker all that much anymore. Certainly not like they used to, sadly. Breaks my heart. "DIY" and "Maker" mostly mean "plug & play" to the instant gratification crowd. Some of that comes from the world's short attention span, and some comes from the educational market (which would be a very sweet and profitable segment for Parallax to get into). There are high school students who only have an hour or two a week to play, and college folks who need a ready-to-go platform which gets from A to B without any fuss, onto which they can add their thesis feature. If a standardized Arlo was selected by a few school programs and catered to their needs by offering the right add-on modules, that might be the start of something big. LEGO, FTC and US First are huge, and get funding from schools and corporate sponsorship. Their parts are not cheap. http://www.hitechnic.com/products
Heathkit used to offer fully assembled versions of their kit robots, that might not be a bad idea to appeal to the PhD crowd, where another couple thousand dollars isn't a big deal at all. Could be a secondary business, like SEMA is to the auto manufacturers. Heck, I know a lot people who would love to assemble kit-based robots for well-paying Ivy Leaguers, myself included.
2. Expandability. That is the concept for the Arlo, but my hunch is that Parallax is looking for interesting add-ons they can offer that give the platform a little more "oomph."
I'm not sure anything needs to be proprietary these days, or even benefit from it. I don't think anyone believes servo controller boards, camera adapters, MIDI plugs-in, or whatever are truly proprietary or exclusive to a specific platform like Arduino or Raspberry Pi. But the availability of these add-ones engineered for those platforms increases interest, and drives sales of the base component.
A bumper system would be a slap in the face to a capable laser scanner. What say instead we just increase the wattage of the laser so that nearby obstacles are simply vaporized?
Now you've got a feature that will sell!
This very literally takes an old marketing adage to the next level: "Sell the sizzle, not the steak!"
You could probably implement this with a diaphragm and micro-switch rather than a pressure converter and software overhead. That could probably be made to be fairly sensitive.
Robert
http://www.parallax.com/news/2014-04-09/parallax-prepares-usa-science-and-engineering-festival-washington-dc-april-26-27
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhtmRhcaDcI&feature=youtu.be
I saw it first hand, and it worked well consireing the large amount of traffic.
While we're on the topic of en electric fence how about just making an add-on sensor that can pickup the IR signals from the Roomba Virtual wall? That way the ARLO and other robots can leverage some of the existing gadgets we may already have. You can get those virtual walls cheap now and just by having a sensor on the robot base we can use those. It's nice to be able to use some of these gadgets for multiple robots so you don't need to duplicate the "Robot Infrastructure" for each robot in your house.....
Robert
That is correct. A boundary fence. That's why I edited Robert's quote to just include boundary.
"Follow Me" would be cool also.
I like a lot of the suggestions, I also like a lot of the "overview commentary". Question is: can we award prizes for good commentary...perhaps?
Give me a bit while I sort it out.
-MattG
Ah! Another Jeeper...XJ? What year?
1. Emic2 and/or an EasyVR
2. automated re-charging system
3. IMU + sf02 for automated mapping
4. goolge VR
5. add-on calendar J
6. body framework like that of the old Hero robots
7. external GPS antenna or other high-ish power antenna is some sort of mounting pole
8. some sort of body framework like that of the old Hero robots
9. Laser or more likely IR-based navigation with sufficient range to enable whole-house navigation
10. a vision system, even if it's just a blob tracker
11. Make a complete kit available. You do offer all the parts individually but, a complete kit is a lot easier
12. indoor navigation system that used time-of-flight beacons.
13. Some sort of display! Even if it's just a couple of 8x8 LED matrixes.
14. RoboPeak $400 Laser Scanner
15. A kind of fender with spring with elasticity
16. WiFi
17. Are flamethrowers and missile launchers right out? YES.
18. bluetooth module with a simple AndroidApp with some buttons/sliders etc. so that you can easily control some functions of the ARLO with your phone
19. A user-friendly GUI.
20. length of surgical tubing sealed at one end and connected to a pressure sensor
21. a camera. The camera would have build in capability for face detection
22. Telepresence package to make Arlo into a security patrol bot: wifi, camera with pan/tilt, monitor, and enough sensors to detect light, sound, motion and navigate a preprogrammed path autonomously and also driven remotely. Also need an autodock recharger.
23. If you were to add anything, add years of revisions with no discontinuance and lowered price point.
24. a train horn
25. a good $400 360-degree laser scanner
26 a decent fix for the caster problem
27. a capable laser scanner
28. various gas sensors and IR and Cameras Tie these to a fairly good (strong) wireless transceiver
29. set of magnetic sensors for a buried wire
30. We couldn’t find an off-the-shelf invisible fence product for robots, but maybe we’ll design one after this experience. Heck, Daniel already sketched out the schematic!
31. an add-on sensor that can pickup the IR signals from the Roomba Virtual wall
Did I miss any?
-MattG
"CJ7 Renegade when single, Cherokee when married"
In no particular order...as follows...
Rsadeika wins the "I Don't Want To Die Alone Award" with his "Automated re-Charging System" concept.
OBC wins the "No More Naked Bots" Award with his "Body Framework" suggestion.
Paul K. wins the "That's Obvious Award" with his "Complete Kit” entry..
rogersyd wins the "Subtle Humor Award" for his "A power-distribution system for such a bot would be great! .... oh wait...”.
Erco. wins the "That's Kind of Obvious Award", Second Place"“ with his "A user-friendly GUI”.
Xanadu wins the "I Really Wish Robot Parts Manufacturers Would Quit Changing The Foundation of My Robot Structure" Award with the “If you were to add anything, add years of revisions with no discontinuance and lowered price point” Suggestion.
Prizes TBD - But I need PM's with mailing addresses from each of the Lucky Contestants!
-Matt "All Decisions Are Final unless you point out a mistake I made" G.
Unless Matt wins the "Ironic Prizes Award" and hands out Arduinos and RasPis as prizes...
....just fell out of my chair....
I'll settle for an associate title...