Netbook robot

[offy]

So I am getting back into robotics (mostly programming again) and am wondering if this is possible. Could I just use a netbook as my mcu. Can it be used to power motors and etc?

Netbook I might buy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152093

[GearMotion]

You will need some way for the Wind to communicate with the real world. USB?

[offy]

How many volts does a USB port give off? 3? I could do that since it has power and ground. But I would not know how to stop, start, and change direction of the servo.

[Razor Concepts]

5 volts at 500ma

The best way would be to have the netbook communicate to a microcontroller that controls the servos. This way the netbook acts as the main brains, the decision-maker while the microcontroller does the dirty work.

[offy]

so I could use the roboduino or any other mcu and connect it through the USB port and have the serial communication running. I can't believe I didn't think of that.

[GearMotion]

How many volts does a USB port give off? 3? I could do that since it has power and ground. But I would not know how to stop, start, and change direction of the servo.

As mentioned 5V. Officially limited to 100 mA until the USB device is initialized and requests more. Not that you can't draw more from the port, but expect a laptop to be power-miserly.

This: U401 at http://www.usbmicro.com is a simple USB device for I/O, LCD, stepper motor, SPI, 1-wire, for example.

[GearMotion]

so I could use the roboduino or any other mcu and connect it through the USB port and have the serial communication running. I can't believe I didn't think of that.

You would need to use a USB/serial converter for gereral microcontrollers. Sparkfun sells some.

The Arduino (not all types) have one on-board.

[blackbeard]

the arduino duemilanove already connects through usb so i'd think you wouldn't need any converter. besides i've found that my basic stamp 2 hates them with a passion. what is it you want to do with the netbook? if it's just programming it might be easier to to just use a microcontroler (arduino is $30 vs 300 for a mini laptop). if you want something like a a rolling skype machine then like others have said you're going to need to hook it up to a microcontroller

[Soeren]

Hi,

You could just use a USB to parallel or eg. the experimenters board that Velleman sells.
You will need an extra power source if you want it to do anything serious.

[Asellith]

check out Phidgets USB interfaces. This will let you use external power and avoid programming a microcontroller and all that involves.

http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/c/3104-Phidget-I-O-Boards.aspx