Robotic Explorer

**jamesker** · 26th March 2004, 22:23

Hi, the robot arm will have 4 degrees of movement for the waist, shoulder, elbow and end effector.

**blazerbotics** · 26th March 2004, 22:43

why do you need so many controls over the camera, surely just pan and tilt is all you need? channels could be with a 6 channel system;

Fwd/Bck
Lft/Right
Tilt (up and down)
Pan (scan left and right)
Video power control
and one spare

**jamesker** · 27th March 2004, 08:26

I really dont want to do that because the robot is suppose to simulate a real journalist using all the degrees of movement that a camera man would use. thanks.

27th March 2004, 08:50

Then use two radios? One person would drive, while the other operates the camera.

**_jl_** · 27th March 2004, 09:04

You propably want some form of customized joystick, you can get joysticks with 4 axis per stick, then you can control the entire camera with your right hand and then drive with your left.

Two radios is an option (if you want 2 peole to drive it), but in that case I thint it would be cheaper to extend some of the channels with a cable to the second person. That is, if you are satisfied with 7 channels (max if you do not look at extreme things).

**jamesker** · 27th March 2004, 09:42

Hi, does anyone know where I can get customised joysticks with the 4 axis per stick? thanks.

**_jl_** · 27th March 2004, 10:34

Oh...I did not mean customised as custom built, I ment using a joystick not intended for radio transmitters. Like a PC joystick (which is propably an expensive option, you cant use the electronics anyway).

**andrew_gardner** · 27th March 2004, 10:51

Have you got a laptop? If so, you could use Bluetooth to control the robot. It would be possible to use a PC joystick for control, and view the image from the camera on the laptops screen. You would need a Bluetooth transmiiter card plugged into the laptop, and a reciever in the robot. However, you would have to write your own software to control everything. Ive got no idea how much it would all cost, though.

**jamesker** · 27th March 2004, 12:10

Thanks for all the ideas but I think that writing my own software will be much to hard for me. I think I will have to use 2 radio controls. If anyone has any ideas please can you post it as I need as much feedback as possible to make my project possible. Does anyone know which radio is best and as this is a school project would it mater if i use 35mhz or will I have to use 40mhz ? Thanks again.