I don’t know if this is a good place to ask this question, but let me know.
I’ve done a few robotics projects before, but never bought the supplies myself, and it was always under somebody else’s guidance. I have a very simple project I want to make, but I don’t have any idea where to start. I’m looking to control a small linear servo from my phone. That’s it. The servo probably has to withstand less than a pound of force and have a range of maybe 2"-4"; it’s just a latching/unlatching mechanism. I’m planning on writing an Android app to control it, I just don’t have any idea what servo to get or how to get it to talk to my phone. I could just look on the internet on my own, but I get the impression that if I do that without advice or experience I’ll end up spending more money than necessary on something that is way more powerful and/or versatile and/or complicated than I need.
Advice?
Hi,
The basic setup you will need is as follows:
App -> Phone -> Wireless communication (most likely Bluetooth or Bluetooth 4.0 BLE) -> Wireless chip/controller board -> Small linear actuator.
App wise, you could get started with the numerous “serial port” apps, such as the one used in this article (app link).
For wireless communication, since you are on Android, you can use any Bluetooth module (2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 4.0 BLE).
A simple board you can use is the SSC-32U combined with a Bluetooth adapter, RB-Lyn-851. With the app above, you will be able to send commands to the board (once paired with your phone).
For linear actuators, you have many options. To be compatible with the SSC-32U (and keep control simple), you would need a linear actuator that accepts RC-type control signals. You can find some in our catalog here and here.
Here are a few potential parts:
]RB-Fir-131/:m]
]RB-Fir-132/:m]
]RB-Fir-133/:m]
]RB-Fir-135/:m]
Sincerely,
