Author Topic: admins secret new product (Read 50016 times)

voyager2 · « **Reply #150 on:** July 16, 2011, 07:32:26 AM »

I might get one of these (examines piggy bank)
Paper and cardboard Axon Motes,
Marzipan servos...
Mmmm.......
Competition time, me thinks

Quote from: BANE on July 16, 2011, 05:04:34 AM

3.3v really blows for me since everything I have is 5v; is there a way to modify the ADC bus to 5v? Like scratch off the power lead to the 3.3v bus and solder a 5v regulator to it?

Admin said somewhere that you can use a voltage divider for that ...

joe61 · « **Reply #151 on:** July 16, 2011, 07:34:35 AM »

Quote from: Admin on July 15, 2011, 08:32:59 PM

ouch . . .

FYI, sparkfun sells their USB cable for $5.95 (it's longer, but it's the best A to B mini comparison they got).

Besides, an Arduino is $29.95 and a basic long range Xbee is $37.95. An Xbee Pro is $71.95.

OTOH, Pololu has one for 2.49: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/130

Joe

Admin · « **Reply #152 on:** July 16, 2011, 08:50:39 AM »

Quote from: BANE on July 16, 2011, 05:04:34 AM

3.3v really blows for me since everything I have is 5v; is there a way to modify the ADC bus to 5v? Like scratch off the power lead to the 3.3v bus and solder a 5v regulator to it?

In terms of the signal line, most 5V devices can get 3.3V on an I/O pin and work fine. The Mote however can't get anything above 3.3V on any I/O pin, so you'll need a voltage divider (two resistors, see VOLTAGE TOLERANCES in datasheet). In terms of powering the devices, most stuff made today will work at 3.3V. The chip on the Mote will fry above ~3.6V, so you can't modify the regulator.

Quote

also, I assume they dont come with an antenna?

Antenna is included.

Quote

Just out of curiosity, I have a ps3 controller that i use with my laptop (I downloaded a driver that lets the computer know it's a joystick for games and stuff), is it possible for the Mote to transmit joystick data from the computer?

ummmm, I don't quite understand your question . . .

Quote

OTOH, Pololu has one for 2.49: http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/130

If you buy more than one Mote, the cable comes included at no additional cost.

(I'm wondering where they bought their cables to have them so cheap . . .)

BANE · « **Reply #153 on:** July 16, 2011, 09:06:26 AM »

Quote

Just out of curiosity, I have a ps3 controller that i use with my laptop (I downloaded a driver that lets the computer know it's a joystick for games and stuff), is it possible for the Mote to transmit joystick data from the computer?

ummmm, I don't quite understand your question . . .

"=>" is "communicates with"
ps3 controller => laptop => wireless network=> Mote on my robot
Basically I have a large robot outside my house that i want to be able to control with my ps3 controller with my laptop inside my house. This project is probably a little big and custom software is probably required. However, I thought id throw it out there.

Admin · « **Reply #154 on:** July 16, 2011, 10:02:49 AM »

Oh. In that case, you'd want to do this:
ps3 controller => Mote inside your house <=> wireless network <=> Mote on robot
^
||
V
laptop (optional)

(in other words, you don't even need a laptop)

WebbotLib has a PS3 controller driver, so it shouldn't take you long to get that working.

If you did use a laptop, you'd need other application software to transmit data by USB from the PS3 to the Mote. That's just an extra layer of complication/work that's best avoided. For the Mote in your house, you can still plug that into your laptop for power (to avoid needing a battery), or for seeing any extra data on Hyperterminal, etc.

BANE · « **Reply #155 on:** July 16, 2011, 11:25:32 AM »

since "ps3" is bluetooth, i would need a receiver on the Mote right? Also, I just searched webbotlib and didnt find anything about a ps3 controller. what a sec, are you thinking of ps2 controller?

Admin · « **Reply #156 on:** July 16, 2011, 12:50:40 PM »

Quote from: BANE on July 16, 2011, 11:25:32 AM

since "ps3" is bluetooth, i would need a receiver on the Mote right? Also, I just searched webbotlib and didnt find anything about a ps3 controller. what a sec, are you thinking of ps2 controller?

hmmmm yea I was thinking of PS2, oops . . . in that case, you'll need a computer to use bluetooth

As such, you will need software that reads the PS3 commands and sends the result by USB to the Mote . . . but I feel like this is over-complicating things. Why not just attach a few buttons to a hand-held Mote, and bypass the computer/PS3 entirely?

Admin · « **Reply #157 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:55:25 PM »

If there are more concerns about 3.3V vs 5V, I've created this thread for those who'd like to discuss it:
http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=14128.0

BANE · « **Reply #158 on:** July 17, 2011, 10:04:37 AM »

Quote

but I feel like this is over-complicating things. Why not just attach a few buttons to a hand-held Mote, and bypass the computer/PS3 entirely?

i highly doubt i will be able to make anything as compact and featured as the ps3 controller

but you're right, all i really need is a joystick and some buttons.

another nooby Q: can all the available pins be used for I/O? I just didnt see it listed in the features page like the axon I and II.

Admin · « **Reply #159 on:** July 17, 2011, 05:23:18 PM »

Quote from: BANE on July 17, 2011, 10:04:37 AM

another nooby Q: can all the available pins be used for I/O? I just didnt see it listed in the features page like the axon I and II.

Well, just the available I/O pins can be used

(I'm not quite sure what you are asking, but it's just like the Axon II in terms of I/O)

BANE · « **Reply #160 on:** July 17, 2011, 05:28:59 PM »

for instance, here http://www.societyofrobots.com/axon2/ under SPECIFICATIONS it has "58 I/O Total". I just didnt see anything here http://www.societyofrobots.com/axon_mote_test/axon_mote_features.shtml that said how many I/O

Admin · « **Reply #161 on:** July 17, 2011, 06:13:31 PM »

Quote from: BANE on July 17, 2011, 05:28:59 PM

for instance, here http://www.societyofrobots.com/axon2/ under SPECIFICATIONS it has "58 I/O Total". I just didnt see anything here http://www.societyofrobots.com/axon_mote_test/axon_mote_features.shtml that said how many I/O

click on the datasheet page for full details on the I/O

Killerwolfbot · « **Reply #162 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:46:26 PM »

Are these things for sale yet? And can you recoment any simple projects to get started with a mote?

Admin · « **Reply #163 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:50:52 PM »

I'm taking pre-orders but nothing is shipping yet - I'm waiting for my manufacturer to finish. I'll have lots of example projects up when that happens.

Admin · « **Reply #164 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:15:59 PM »

I just got an email from my manufacturer informing me that they've completed manufacture. So in theory, I'll get them in the mail in a week, and have it shipped to your house the week after.

In theory.

BANE · « **Reply #165 on:** July 19, 2011, 06:48:01 PM »

just put in for two

. Can't wait to see them!

Admin · « **Reply #166 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:01:05 PM »

Quote from: BANE on July 19, 2011, 06:48:01 PM

just put in for two . Can't wait to see them!

Yea I just saw it. First customer

corrado33 · « **Reply #167 on:** July 19, 2011, 07:18:03 PM »

Can I get serial number 33?

I kid I kid.

Admin · « **Reply #168 on:** July 20, 2011, 06:58:07 PM »

update: My manufacturer charged me and sent me tracking numbers for the shipment. Not yet shipped, however.

Admin · « **Reply #169 on:** July 21, 2011, 06:49:10 AM »

update: Items were shipped to me, and tracking says it'll arrive in 5 more days. Suspense!

person · « **Reply #170 on:** July 21, 2011, 11:34:14 AM »

Quote from: Admin on July 21, 2011, 06:49:10 AM

update: Items were shipped to me, and tracking says it'll arrive in 5 more days. Suspense!

All I can say is: It's about time (grumbles)

Admin · « **Reply #171 on:** July 21, 2011, 12:12:17 PM »

I've been working on it since January of 2010 . . . I feel the same way!

(in the back of my head, I have this worry that they made a mistake . . . like all the LEDs are backwards, or something worse

)

Killerwolfbot · « **Reply #172 on:** July 21, 2011, 12:46:43 PM »

I'mma order one when i get paid. Can't wait to play with it. I just don't have a credit card or anything sooo do you take money orders or something? hahaha XD

Admin · « **Reply #173 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:33:25 PM »

Quote from: Killerwolfbot on July 21, 2011, 12:46:43 PM

I'mma order one when i get paid. Can't wait to play with it. I just don't have a credit card or anything sooo do you take money orders or something? hahaha XD

I also take checks, and can do Western Union. But I'm leaving the US in ~6 weeks for a looooong vacation, so you'd have to get me it before then.

person · « **Reply #174 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:33:56 PM »

Quote from: Admin on July 21, 2011, 12:12:17 PM

I've been working on it since January of 2010 . . . I feel the same way!

(in the back of my head, I have this worry that they made a mistake . . . like all the LEDs are backwards, or something worse )

just wondering, but has that ever happened on any of your other products?

Admin · « **Reply #175 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:41:52 PM »

Quote from: person on July 21, 2011, 01:33:56 PM

just wondering, but has that ever happened on any of your other products?

yeap . . . On the first batch of the original Axon, all the LEDs were backward. I had to manually fix them, not too hard to do. If the ATmega chip was backwards, that'd not be easy at all . . .

My first Axon II manufacturer promised me 2 months. In 4 months they only finished 20% of the units, and 75% of them were bad. He then took an entire year of lies and ignored phone calls to return to me the remaining parts . . . it was a horrible expensive experience. I found the phone number of the manager's mother (a nice lady), and called her weekly for months before it finally got solved. Almost two years later, and I'm still in negotiations with another manufacturer to repair those units.

person · « **Reply #176 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:46:55 PM »

Quote from: Admin on July 21, 2011, 01:41:52 PM

Quote from: person on July 21, 2011, 01:33:56 PM
just wondering, but has that ever happened on any of your other products?
yeap . . . On the first batch of the original Axon, all the LEDs were backward. I had to manually fix them, not too hard to do. If the ATmega chip was backwards, that'd not be easy at all . . .

My first Axon II manufacturer promised me 2 months. In 4 months they only finished 20% of the units, and 75% of them were bad. He then took an entire year of lies and ignored phone calls to return to me the remaining parts . . . it was a horrible expensive experience. I found the phone number of the manager's mother (a nice lady), and called her weekly for months before it finally got solved. Almost two years later, and I'm still in negotiations with another manufacturer to repair those units.

Talk about bad luck

..........

Webbot · « **Reply #177 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:56:48 PM »

Quote from: Admin on July 21, 2011, 01:33:25 PM

I'm leaving the US in ~6 weeks for a looooong vacation, so you'd have to get me it before then.

Sorry but can you translate please. What's a vacation? Do I also need one of those? Currently have an 'occupation' which sounds similar but when I asked folk they said that its in-compatible with a 'vacation'. Looked on another forum and apparently I need to reboot myself. Is this normal ?

totalis · « **Reply #178 on:** July 21, 2011, 04:24:03 PM »

@ADMIN Slightly off topic, but; what was mis-manufactured about the bad batch of axons you mentioned earlier, and on a related note, how much?

T

Admin · « **Reply #179 on:** July 21, 2011, 06:05:59 PM »

Quote from: Webbot on July 21, 2011, 01:56:48 PM

Quote from: Admin on July 21, 2011, 01:33:25 PM
I'm leaving the US in ~6 weeks for a looooong vacation, so you'd have to get me it before then.
Sorry but can you translate please. What's a vacation?

It's when I travel [mostly] Asia for ~8 months . . . It means I have more time to write tutorials for SoR, and to possibly design a new product while on the road. I designed the Axon II and Axon Mote both while living in Bangkok

(you're welcome to visit! dunk visited me last time

)

Quote from: totalis on July 21, 2011, 04:24:03 PM

@ADMIN Slightly off topic, but; what was mis-manufactured about the bad batch of axons you mentioned earlier, and on a related note, how much?

You mean Axon II? The bad manufacturer left massive solder bridging on the ATmega640 and the CP2102 (USB chip). The only way to fix them is to entirely remove, clean, then resolder them onto the boards. I'm still negotiating a repair quote, but lets just say repair costs more than assembly

News:

Author Topic: admins secret new product (Read 50016 times)