Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: jakkearl on October 13, 2011, 09:54:58 AM

Title: how to control a servo wirelessly
Post by: jakkearl on October 13, 2011, 09:54:58 AM
Hello everyone, I am in the law enforcement field and I am designing a camera system that can be quickly deployed to increase Officer safety. 

I am no where near as smart as you guys so I am hoping you can help me or at least direct me in the right direction. 

I am attempting to control two servo's wirelessly with a thumb stick and using 12 volt batteries. I have been scouring the internet in attempt to answer my own question, but the more I search, the more confused I get.  I know I am going to need a transmitter and receiver, but, I don't think that will allow me to control the servo's using the thumb stick. 

So my question IS:  How do I control two servo's wirelessly with a thumb stick. If you could please recommend a product name and model, that would help greatly.  Also, please tell me how to make it work. 

If this doesn't make sense, please email me as I will respond quickly.

Thanks in advance for your help.   
Title: Re: how to control a servo wirelessly
Post by: newInRobotics on October 13, 2011, 10:08:17 AM
It does make sense. There are many ways to achieve this. The simplest I can think of is to hack ab RC car (You get transmitter and receiver), add some circuitry, connect Your servos and Ta Dah  :) You might find REMOTE CONTROL ROBOTS (http://www.societyofrobots.com/remote_control_robot.shtml) tutorial quite useful.

Other than RC, You also have a choice of: Bluetooth, WiFi, GSM, GPRS, 3G - depends at what distance You want Your device to be controlled.
Title: Re: how to control a servo wirelessly
Post by: jakkearl on October 13, 2011, 11:35:17 AM
newInRobotics -

Thanks for the information,

can you tell me how to connect the servos?  And how in depth will the circuitry be? I am wanting approximately 100 feet with a few wall penetration distance. 

Thanks again.
Title: Re: how to control a servo wirelessly
Post by: newInRobotics on October 14, 2011, 12:24:37 AM
I have no working knowledge of wireless technology. I've never built anything wireless, hence I can only point You the way, You'll have to research it Yourself. There are tons of wireless communication tutorials online, however, first You should investigate what type of technology would satisfy Your needs and then dive into how to implement it.
Title: Re: how to control a servo wirelessly
Post by: waltr on October 14, 2011, 06:58:13 PM
The simplest solution is to go to a hobby store (or on-line) that sell RC cars and buy an RC system, transmitter, receiver, servos and batteries. Then you just need to mount the servos to move the camera and plug them into the receiver.
Title: Re: how to control a servo wirelessly
Post by: Fr0stAngel on October 15, 2011, 05:24:28 AM
Remote Control Robot Tutorial (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfJMeH9asec&feature=channel_video_title#)

This video was made to show how servos (modified) can be connected to a receiver to make a robot, but i think it clarifies a lot about using RC remotes to control servos. Only difference with the normal servos would be that they wont rotate continuously, rather ,stop after they have reached the end point of motion...