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Cheap robotic platform — Parallax Forums

Cheap robotic platform

FireHorseFireHorse Posts: 5
edited 2005-09-13 20:04 in Robotics
Hi everybody!

I wonder if anyone tried to hack "e VAC" by "Sharper Image". It's a robotic vacuum cleaner with 5" wheels, good motors and·sensors. You can get refurbished one for $70- including shipping. The problem is it has hard wired "brain". I'm thinking about hooking up BS2 or Javelina and other Parallax stuff to it to allow behavior programming. Does anybody have such experience?

Thanks!
VK

Comments

  • rockybulwinklerockybulwinkle Posts: 36
    edited 2005-09-11 18:02
    wouldn't you just have to strip the wires, mabye solder on a new wire that could be plugged into the bs2/javelin?
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2005-09-11 18:16
    You would have to be sure that the signals are compatible before just connecting wires.· It would certainly help to have schematics, but that probably won't happen.· You could start measuring signals with a Scope and Meter.

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  • FireHorseFireHorse Posts: 5
    edited 2005-09-12 16:38
    It's an excellent point! Because 'e VAC' has been around since 2002 it might've been already done though.·For example,·all schematics and signal·diagrams are available for robotic vac·'Roomba'.·Just I don't have a lot of time on my hands and looking for someone utilizing the same platform for possible·cooperation.

    Thanks a lot!

    VK
  • rockybulwinklerockybulwinkle Posts: 36
    edited 2005-09-13 01:36
    if the motors are dc and without any extra circutry between the microprocessor and the motor, would you be able to control them easily with an H-bridge or something?

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  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2005-09-13 01:39
    Inherently, having an H-Bridge implies extra circuitry between the BASIC Stamp I/O pins and the motor.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2005-09-13 16:30
    Get real!
    You either have to have an h-bridge or the thing has to draw almost no power. Can't we assume that 'extra' circuitry here implies minimal rather than none?

    And, you would likely need TWO h-bridges [noparse][[/noparse]one for each motor if the wheels are driven independently or one for drive and one for steering in a tricycle configuration]

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  • FireHorseFireHorse Posts: 5
    edited 2005-09-13 17:49
    Hey guys, I do appreciate your input!

    To make life easier here is the link:

    http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?sku=SI727RED

    So we got here a fully functional robot. It actually does what they claim. So far I use it as intended for vacuuming and a bit as RC vehicle. People already·used 'Roomba' for robotic platform with 'Javelin' stamp:

    http://www.roombacommunity.com/internals_jav.html

    I believe that 'e VAC' has more potential due to lower price, bigger weels and more powerful motors. I own 'Roomba' as well·but 'e VAC' looks more hackable.

    Take care!

    VK
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2005-09-13 18:42
    Note that long term availability of the e-VAC may be an issue. It is no longer offered new, and The Sharper Image is selling off its refurbished inventory. How much they have is hard to tell.

    How do we get the word out to all the unsatisfied SI customers that there is a potential market to the robot world? I understand that these things didn't work all that well as automated cleaning systems. I saw a number of references to the brush getting bound up and battery life.

    I don't have a lot of interest in robots right now, but I'll probably snarf one of the refurbished units up to put on the shelf for later. - Hey, I can give it to my wife as a "helper" and when she says it doesn't work so hot, snarf it up for my use! Get brownie points and a toy, all at once.

    John R.
  • rockybulwinklerockybulwinkle Posts: 36
    edited 2005-09-13 20:04
    really what I meant was if there is no extra circutry that it would have normally.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    There are 10 kinds of people in the world;

    those who understand binary and those who don't.
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