Building a robot. Need help.

;0)

I want to controll this thing from my mac over web/local area network.
What should I buy to connect and program it?
24 volt wheelchar, joystick control at present.

Unsoundcode

You might want to look at the PINK module

http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30013

and heres someone that had some success with it

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=631510

Jeff T.

;0)

Thank you for the advice. I'm not sure if that's what I'm looking for.
I'm a complete novice, but I've got it mechanically sound, but no real electronics, aside from the wheelchair controler and joystick. I don't know anything about how to control this thing from my laptop, I also have a desktop, and can run my laptop with vnc, so I think the pink modual may be ahead of where I'm at now.
what I'm thinking of is this:
gutting the joystick, and adding 2 10 ohm pots, epoxied to two servos with either (or both) R.C. controller or some kind of link to a usb port on my laptop...
Anybody got any ideas on how a novice (who admittedly is not the brightest bulb on the family christmas tree) can make it go?

Chris Savage

This thread is being moved from the BASIC Stamp Forum to the Sandbox Forum.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

Brian Carpenter

;0),
Look at the Digi Connect ME device. There is also a wireless version. The wired is 45ish and the wireless is around 100. It creates a serial conduit to any serial device via TCP. It also does many other things. PM me if you want further info.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔


It's Only A Stupid Question If You Have Not Googled It First!!

;0)

Thank you for the responses so far.
What set up would work, just to connect the chasis to my laptop (usb) so I can disconnect the joystick and control it? I'd like to leave the macbook on the robot, use Ichat for video feed, and send commands to the laptop from my desktop over the wireless or even bluetooth.....will add sensors and more later, just want remote control for now.

what parts/ controllers would people recommend?

;0)

Thanx for the replys.

I see little info regarding the dige connect me (am sending a pm for more info) on thier website.

The pink modual seems interesting, but perhaps more use for somebody that is further along than me. (seems like it's for somebody that already has a robot and wants to connect it to internet without an onboard laptop computer?).


I guess I'd hoped that there'd be lots of experienced users that'd be happy to share ideas, offer advice on what to buy, and how to set it up.

Someone on another board suggested that I go with a lego mindstorm kit, which comes with software and hardware (some of which could be hacked) to get my machine to work.

I see someone from parralax took the time to move my post, but didn't even try to suggest what pic controller might fit my needs...maybe because they don't have one?

Any way, I see from a few searches I've done that this is an excellent board, but perhaps for more experienced users.
Thank you.

Franklin

You are right, most of the people here have to have some background in electronics/programming to do something as ambitious as this. You need to connect the laptop and your desktop with either bluetooth, wireless ethernet or rf wireless. Then you need to write software for both platforms that can get useful information from the wireless connection. Not something for the beginner. You might just start with controlling the bot with a microcontroller as if it was a really big boebot. Take a look at some of the courseware at www.parallax.com in the stamps in class section. Start with what is a microcontroller and progerss to the robotic book.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
- Stephen