Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Software => Software => Topic started by: simplywel on February 03, 2008, 04:27:04 AM

Title: control a robot using your computer
Post by: simplywel on February 03, 2008, 04:27:04 AM

Hi everyone..
i have a question..
how can you control a robot using your computer?
its not really robot but more of a remote control toy car..
the situation is like this..i want to interface the remote controller
to my PC using USB or Parallel Port..So, i will be using my
PC with a certain program to control the toy car...
your help is much appreciated...thanks in advance...

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: SmAsH on February 03, 2008, 04:36:03 AM

can you please explain more? do you want wireless or wired? whats your budget? what programs do you have/can you get? what is your knowledge?

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: benji on February 03, 2008, 05:11:23 AM

you can make your own program using vc++ or vb or you can control it by Matlab .
i use matlab myself to send commands through the serial port,its much easier to use than to make your own software.

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: airman00 on February 03, 2008, 05:48:33 AM

Quote from: benji on February 03, 2008, 05:11:23 AM

you can make your own program using vc++ or vb or you can control it by Matlab .
i use matlab myself to send commands through the serial port,its much easier to use than to make your own software.

How much easier is MATLAB then visual basic 6?


and also and easy interface to your USB port is Phidgets, i really like those interfaces personally
http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1018 (http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1018)

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: cooldog on February 03, 2008, 06:52:00 AM

http://www.instructables.com/id/Put-your-R%2fC-car-under-computer-control/

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: benji on February 03, 2008, 07:17:00 AM

Quote

How much easier is MATLAB then visual basic 6?

well at least you dont have to make your own software in matlab, its just a couple of functions you put and you are in control of the serial or parallel port
,,in case of USBs i dont think matlab can control the usb

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: airman00 on February 03, 2008, 12:14:00 PM

Quote from: benji on February 03, 2008, 07:17:00 AM

Quote

How much easier is MATLAB then visual basic 6?

well at least you dont have to make your own software in matlab, its just a couple of functions you put and you are in control of the serial or parallel port
,,in case of USBs i dont think matlab can control the usb

OK thanks ill take a look at MATLAB

I'm used to using Visual Basic 6 and the DEBUG command found in PIC BASIC PRO

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: benji on February 07, 2008, 05:04:07 PM

www.mathworks.com

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: Admin on February 17, 2008, 09:31:05 AM

do a search for USB servo controller

Title: Re: control a robot using your computer
Post by: Trumpkin on February 17, 2008, 02:22:58 PM

some usb servo controllers.
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/parallax-usb-servo-controller.aspx?feed=Froogle

http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/5122-Pololu-USB-16-servo-controller.aspx?feed=Froogle