Major VRBot Headaches

[Ro-Bot-X]

Do you have the EazyVR module? I think I want to try it out if you don't mind sending it to me instead of SparkFun. I had good results with Arduino and VRbot, but from what I read EazyVR has also speaker output and I want to try to add some speech to it if I can. It would be nice to have a single module that handles voice recognition and speech synthesis. Send me a PM if you want, maybe we could do some parts swap?

[Admin]

I think thats about the time you should stay far away from anything expensive until things cool off

[tzankoff]

I think thats about the time you should stay far away from anything expensive until things cool off

I did. I stayed away for three weeks while waiting for a new VRBot to replace the defective one I sent back...and look what happened.

For what it's worth, I did have some positive elements from this experience:
1) I am able to connect to the NotSoEasyVR via the GUI half of the time whereas before I was only able to connect once and that was it.
2) I am able to perform (mostly) successful tests on the SI commands.

The downsides right now:
1) I cannot train any SD commands I create. It keeps giving me a "The wait operation timed out" message.
2) When I click "Reset All", sometimes it will give a "Could not reset all memory. The wait operation timed out" error message.

I am still leaning towards sending it back.

[tzankoff]

...aaaaand we're back to cannot connect at all anymore. Goodbye, crap. Hello, Sparkfun.

[Admin]

Seriously, try it with a USB to serial adapter. It may just be the Axon intermediary isn't fast enough for VRbot PC software.

[tzankoff]

I am only going to try this one more time because I know you got yours to work. Just answer one question and I promise to go away for a while on this issue. Which adapter are you using? I was looking around earlier and all I saw were adapters with USB on one end and 7-pin computer serial ports connections on the other. Is that what I am supposed to see or am I just an idiot...or both?

[Admin]

This is what I used:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/718

USB in one end, and Tx/Rx/5V/ground out the other, plugged directly into VRbot. Don't use the 3.3V line on your USB!


side rant:
I think my only real complaint about the VRbot is the owners of it tightly guard the hardware design as a secret. Understandable from an IP prospective, but they absolutely refuse to answer a single question about their hardware - not even if it has a voltage regulator on it or not, or any of the capacitor values. They even deleted my post on their forum where I partially reversed engineered the design to help others select an appropriate power supply

[Ro-Bot-X]

This is what I used to connect to my VRbot without problems:
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10008

[tzankoff]

I will go with Ro-Bot-X's idea for the adapter for two reasons:

1) It's 5V as is. 
2) It's in stock. 

[Admin]

Both are 5V as is.

On the one I linked, you'd use the pin labeled VCC for 5V:
http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/BreakoutBoards/FT232RL-Breakout-Schematic.pdf
(it's marked on the bottom of the PCB)

[tzankoff]

I could have sworn it said 3.3v which you told me not to use. Then again, I did not look at the bottom of the thing in the pictures.

[Admin]

Yea, on the top it says 3.3V . . . but there are lots of other connections on the side with other options.

That said, it's out of stock, so no biggy.
(I'm shocked it's out of stock, as it's a popular item)

[tzankoff]

Yeah. Knowing me, I would probably pick the wrong one, fry the board, etc. Anyway, I ordered one. We'll see what happens. In the meantime, I got a hold of a 20-button (5x4) matrix output keypad (previously got a 16-button version) that I will be attempting to use. Bwhahahahahahaha!

At least I have ONE project that is going according to plan.

[Admin]

[rant]
Yea, I used 3.3V at first. The VRbot datasheet stated it'll work, given average voltage/current requirements. But it didn't work, and I pulled hair out for several days. Turned out the VRbot does current spiking (average current != max current) that caused the USB to reset. So yea, 5V and you'll be fine . . .
[/rant]

[aaa3a]

which pins no. to use in 9pin serial port if i prolific use usb to serial cable to connect EasyVR with pc

i have searched pinout.ur and found 9pins serial port pinout as follow

pin 2 is Rx and pin 3 is TX pin 5 GND and pin 7 VCC is that right ?

and should i connect Tx for EasyVR to Rx in serial port and Rx of the EasyVR to Tx in serial port or 1 to 1 Rx ---> Rx 

thanx

[Admin]

aaa3a, see here:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=15630.msg112133#msg112133