Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: elryanoo on October 24, 2013, 06:46:20 AM

Title: Kinda new to robots need some guidance
Post by: elryanoo on October 24, 2013, 06:46:20 AM

I want to build a tracked robot with a pan and tilt camera that I can control via wifi.  I know that I need a micro controller,  2.5 amp motor controller, two servos, and a wifi module. 

I have a chassis chosen already http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1551 (http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1551) .  Does anyone have a suggestion for a camera and micro controller with built in wifi like this http://ww.ez-robot.com/Shop/AccessoriesDetails.aspx?productNumber=40 (http://ww.ez-robot.com/Shop/AccessoriesDetails.aspx?productNumber=40) ?  If not I need some help on how to connect some sort of wifi module to the main controller.

Title: Re: Kinda new to robots need some guidance
Post by: jwatte on October 24, 2013, 01:39:39 PM

Do you really need WiFi? An Arduino with a Xbee (and another Xbee on a PC) would probably be simpler. Or a pair of Wixels, if you think you can learn to program the Wixels.

If you need WiFi, I'd suggest a Raspberry Pi board with a USB WiFi dongle.

Title: Re: Kinda new to robots need some guidance
Post by: elryanoo on October 25, 2013, 12:02:24 AM

With this controller http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1327 (http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1327) I just need a wireless module that can stream the video and movement commands it doesn't absolutely need to be wifi.

Title: Re: Kinda new to robots need some guidance
Post by: jwatte on October 25, 2013, 12:33:48 PM

If you need to do movement and control both over WiFi, then you want to use a Raspberry Pi or similar board for that. Microcontroller based controllers do not have the bandwidth for video.
If you use analog video, or a separate WiFi-equipped camera, then you can use Xbee for the control information, and Xbee can be wired to most microcontrollers (including the Pololu one you linked to.)

Title: Re: Kinda new to robots need some guidance
Post by: Jackson21 on November 07, 2013, 08:23:42 PM

Quote from: elryanoo on October 24, 2013, 06:46:20 AM

pan and tilt camera that I can control via wifi.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-WiFi-PTZ-P2P-IP-IR-CCTV-Security-Network-Camera-Pan-Tilt-Two-Way-Audio/111143826531? (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-WiFi-PTZ-P2P-IP-IR-CCTV-Security-Network-Camera-Pan-Tilt-Two-Way-Audio/111143826531?)


Super, duper, wooper easy to install wifi PT IP Camera and cheap as chips!! 

Pros: 
-Pan and tilt 
-easy install 
-live feed/record 
-view from PC/smartphone 
-cheap 
-wifi 

Cons: 
-Kinda largish 
-Potentially up to 2A powerdraw 
-Will have to modify power cable to suit battery connection

 Cheers, Jacko :D