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'nother newb

grindelgrindel Posts: 68
edited 2005-07-23 00:26 in Robotics
I want to build a simple platform to basicly drive around a wifi enabled laptop.· I am pretty sure I can do this using·the parallax USB servo controller, 2 ESCs, and 2 geared 540 motors.· (in fact I'm so sure, I've already ordered the parts, heh)

I think the major problem I am going to have is building the web interface to send signals to the Com port.··Has anyone had experience with this?· I read that the servo controller has the same Protocol as the pololu·servo controller, can anyone confirm this?· I can't find where on the parallax site they confirm what protocol the USB servo controller uses.· The eventual result of this is going to be a teleperence bot with·tilt/pan-able camera and voice communications.·· Any code examples and or links to similar projects would be appreciated.· I have not even run a web server or programmed in anything more complicated than FORTRAN before so I have a lot to learn before this thing is a reality.

how hard can it be?· (the answer is so hard that you try and try and die trying)

thanks to all in advance

Comments

  • Paul BakerPaul Baker Posts: 6,351
    edited 2005-07-22 17:37
    Is your platform tethered to the laptop? If not, your in for a rude suprise. Im pretty sure the USB PSC cannot be driven by a BS, (the docs aren't explicit on whether the PSC also has a serial interface). The USB PSC is a USB slave device, meaning it must be connected to a USB master. There are no USB master interfaces for the BS2, therefore the BS2 cannot be a USB master device.

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  • grindelgrindel Posts: 68
    edited 2005-07-22 19:10
    Paul,
    There isn't going to be a BS (basic stamp, right?) involved.· The laptop is going to be the web server and is going to sit on the moving base...at least that is the idea.

    The premise is the laptop will run skype, a web cam, and the software to share the com port over the internet...hopefully I can figure out a java program (or something) allow the user to press buttons for left-right-forward-backwards and use scroll bars to pan/tilt the camera as well as talk and interact with other people.· I think it would be cool for·my friends that now live across the country·to be able to attend a party virtually.

    I hope to keep it low, slow, and as light as I can make it.·
    ·
  • Paul BakerPaul Baker Posts: 6,351
    edited 2005-07-22 19:33
    Ok no problem then, as long as your laptop is driving the PSC. There are several forum members who have attempted this idea of a web-controlled camera bot.

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  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2005-07-22 19:39
    FYI the USB PSC also has a serial interface on it - same as the serial PSC. So you CAN use a BS2 to drive the USB PSC thru the serial interface.
  • grindelgrindel Posts: 68
    edited 2005-07-22 19:44
    Did they succeed? Did they post about them? If so, what would be a good search·criteria to read about their projects?
  • Paul BakerPaul Baker Posts: 6,351
    edited 2005-07-22 20:07
    This is the most recent thread.


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  • grindelgrindel Posts: 68
    edited 2005-07-23 00:26
    Anyone else have suggestions? I have not looked at it closely enough but it appears the link lead to the various hardware solutions and Miniwebserv wich cost $50 to be useful. if that is what it takes, so be it, but I didn't think what was doing was all that rare of a thing.

    I'll reread it again in a bit
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