BeetleCam: Remote Controlled Rover with Camera

Lynxmotion Rovers, Sumo, and Tracked
1

I want to build one of these. A all terrain vehicle with camera.
telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthv … leCam.html

I have no robotics experience. I have the necessary photo & video expertise.

Suggestions and advise please.

Thanks

Kent

2

I dont think you’ll need a robot to do this, it is better to build an ordinary radiocontrolled car

3

Thanks. Would a car be less expensive and would it have a 5 lb. payload capacity?

Did you watch the video? It looked to me like it was one of the robot vehicles on this site.

Any idea on how to trigger the camera from a distance greater than 100 ft.?
Enjoy
Kent

4

I built a remote camera robot using the 'Droid chassis:

superdroidrobots.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=746

I added tilt/pan, and remote control of a Cannon camera.

It’s in the field now.

Alan KM6VV

5

Very impressive and thanks for sharing. Can you tell me more about the tilt, pan remote for the Canon cameras?
Fun stuff
Kent

6

here is some info.

A4WD 1
lynxmotion.com/c-30-a4wd1-rovers.aspx

Lynx B - Pan and Tilt Kit
lynxmotion.com/p-287-lynx-b- … dized.aspx

usefull links.
lynxmotion.com/c-87-standard-brackets.aspx

lynxmotion.com/images/html/build122.htm
lynxmotion.com/images/html/build134.htm

7

The tilt/pan were from here:

robotshop.com/pan-tilt-servo-gearboxes.html

There are extra channels available on the 6 channel R/C implemented into the 'bot. There are also channels that control relays in the 'bot for focus and snap on the camera. I adapted a Cannon camera cable to interface with the control board in the 'bot.

Pix above is from 'droids, not my finished bot (no more pix with me).

Alan KM6VV

8

Again I thank you. How do you release the camera shutter?

9

The Remote control cable:

sourcingmap.com/camera-remote-control-maa-for-canon-eos-eos-31d1dsmk2eos-10d20dd30d60-p-1013.html

The cannon can be focused/triggered by the closure of the two switch positions in the pendant.

A better link to tilt/pan (I think I actually bought them here):

servocity.com/html/spt200_pan___tilt_system.html

Alan KM6VV

10

I still don’t understand how you release the camera shutter when the unit is say 200 yards away from you.

11

Buy an R/C system.

superdroidrobots.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=601

Read the ATR page.

superdroidrobots.com/ATR.htm

Pressing a button or flipping a switch on the transmitter (I don’t remember exactly which) closes a relay via radio in the 'bot. Relay closes circuit to camera. Camera takes picture!

Alan KM6VV

12

That’s because it is one of our A4WD rovers…

We sell the same radio as well. What’s with all this Droid stuff? I mean linking people to other sites that sell the same stuff as we do… :open_mouth: Thanks Alan

13

It’s a simple servo controlling the camera. The 6 channel radio has two sticks, one for the vehicle motion, and one for the pan and tilt. The other two channels are a switch and a knob. They are using the switch and a servo to actuate the button to take the picture. It’s really low tech, no need to add relays etc.

14

Here is the tutorial you want.

lynxmotion.com/images/html/build123.htm

15

Sorry!

It’s only because that is what I actually bought and built up for a “field” R/C camera system for a photographer. I think it’s quite a bit bigger then LMs (or was at the time), and I don’t remember the radio being available. Maybe it was…

Yes, one should go with LynxMotion bots!

Alan KM6VV

16

Hi Kent, Good to talk to you on the phone. Here is what you need.

A4WD1 Rover Kit for RC control. This includes the Hitec Radio. $419.93.
lynxmotion.com/p-607-a4wd1-c … or-rc.aspx

You will want to go with the ServoCity Pan and Tilt, our is too small for a large camera.

You will also need batteries. There are of course options… lol

For the servos (6vdc) I would recommend this.
lynxmotion.com/showproduct.a … egoryID=48

For the rover (12vdc) I would recommend this.
lynxmotion.com/p-64-120-volt … -pack.aspx

But for longer run times this is a good option.
lynxmotion.com/p-727-120-vol … -pack.aspx

Here is a battery changer for any of these packs.
lynxmotion.com/p-602-60-12vd … arger.aspx

That’s it. Thanks!

17

Jim;
The following is my list of parts from your recommendation.

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Product Quantity Sub Total:
A4WD1 Combo Kit for RC
SKU: A4WD1C-KT $419.93
6.0 Volt Ni-MH 1600mAh Battery Pack
SKU: BAT-03 $16.95
12.0 Volt Ni-MH 2800mAh Battery Pack
SKU: BAT-06 $39.95
6.0 - 12vdc Ni-CD & Ni-MH Universal Smart Charger
SKU: USC-02 $25.95

I am going to shoot video and I need some device that will enable me to push a button on the camera to start/stop movie operation.
The device you recommend sourcingmap.com/camera-remot … -1013.html
will not control the movie mode and only allows still control when in hand.
Your recommendation?
thanks again
Kent

18

Depending on the button design, a small servo may be an answer. I know in the past servos have been used to operate the zoom rocker switch on camcorders.

19

Where can I purchase a “small servo”? Sorry, this is all new to me.
Kent

20

At Lynxmotion, of course! Servos come in mini and micro sizes as well as a standard size. “Small” is relative in your case. A standard HS422 would work, unless you need to fit the servo into a small space.

Here is a link to the Lynxmotion page where you can see the various servos that they sell: Servos

This link “What is a servo” on the Lynxmotion home page describes what a servo does.