Netbook Arduino Robot with Network Control

Built off of my last project (Arduino powered Vex Robotics platform), I put together a netbook-powered robot that is driven by an Xbox controller attached to another PC. A wireless network connection transmits the joystick data from the laptop that the joystick is plugged into to the netbook, which interprets the data and feeds it to the Arduino by USB. The Arduino outputs pulse-width signals to 2 Vex Motor Modules (which are continuous rotation servos). The base is powered by a 12V NiMH battery pack I salvaged from a very old laptop but the netbook is powered by its own battery.

Since the netbook has a web cam, it is possible to set up video streaming so that the netbook sends back a live video feed, allowing the robot to be controlled from a different room.

The netbook is my new Lenovo IdeaPad S10 (Atom 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, Intel GMA950 graphics, 1024x576 10.1" LCD, 160GB HDD) and it is currently running Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Edition (which does work fine on netbooks).

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• netbook
• robot
• arduino
• ideapad
• s10
• lenovo
• eee
• pc
• eeepc
• laptop
• xbox
• mini
• vex
• control
• network
• programming
• linux

[Brunoctm]

why dont u share this project?

[CalcProgrammer1]

@Brunoctm If you want the code I will post it somewhere, I don't mind giving out the code. I made a post on Instructables about the Arduino robot as well.

[AKSoapy29]

How do you control the VeX motors? Cause I got a few I'd like to get running

[CalcProgrammer1]

@AKSoapy29 The Vex motors are continuous-rotation servos. They work like any other servo works, you generate a pulse of length from 1ms to 2ms. A 1.5ms pulse is center (for continuous rotation this is stopped), a 1ms pulse runs full speed one direction, 2ms the other direction, and you slow it down by using a value in between. If you're using an Arduino there is a built in servo library that works well with them. Note that they need 12V instead of 5, but the control signal is 5V.

[mashersmasher]

that's really well done! does it have a camera on the monitor? if so you might want to try using something like skype to stream video and sound. if you have an ipod touch and can write a program to read mouse movements then you can use something like jumi or airmouse to control it as well.

[CalcProgrammer1]

It does have a webcam, I use VLC to stream it to my PC and it works great, it's just not shown in this video. I don't have any Apple products but if I figure out how to program Windows Mobile I do have an old Axim PDA that would make a decent controller.

[adamhermie]

But can it run Crysis?

[ThEeDaRkOnE666]

I can see this being of benefit to the American market... Make their laptops come to them... lol :)

[turtleD90]

@CalcProgrammer1 Please do the intractable or post the code it would be very beneficial to me and many others (:

[marcosx003]

que pedo...



[clwillingham]

wow, i made something almost exactly like this, except it was controlled directly via Skype.