DFRobotShop Rover V2 - Arduino Compatible (basic kit) RC?

Lynxmotion Rovers, Sumo, and Tracked
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I am looking at buying the DFRobotShop Rover V2 - Arduino Compatible (basic kit) and I wanted to know if it can be controlled by a remote control. how would I do that and how much would it cost? This is my first real robot project so if possible keep it simple. Also what attachments could I add. Could I add a robotic arm or some other “tool” (used to pick up something or do some other task) and how would i do that and how much would that cost? -Thanks Ben

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At this time we don’t have sample code to operate the DFRobotShop Rover using a normal RC system.
If you are prepared to adapt code to suit your needs, you might try the following:
Lynxmotion PS2 Controller V3 (this can connect to an Arduino board and there is sample code available to tell which button is pressed)
DFRobot I/O Expansion Shield for Arduino v7 (makes connections easier)
It would be up to you to adapt the sample code for the PS2 to the sample code for the DFRobotShop Rover.
Note that this is not the “easiest” first project.

The DFRobotShop Rover is essentially an Arduino, so the possibly “additions” and “options” are really up to you. We have a few suggested options here:
robotshop.com/en/dfrobotshop … parts.html
DFRobotShop Rover Expansion Plate V2 (there’s space at the front of the rover for a payload and connections, but this is a great add-on if you need even more space)
Encoder Pair for Tamiya Twin Motor Gearbox (without encoders, the rover has a tendency to move in an arc because the motors are not absolutely identical)
Sharp IR Range Sensor - 10cm to 80cm W/ Cable (good for simple non-contact distance sensing)
Lynxmotion Aluminum Multi-Purpose Sensor Bracket MPSH-01 (bracket for the sensor above)
3.7V LiPo battery w/ JST connector (RB-Kow-09 for example, which takes advantage of the fact that there is a 3.7V Lipo battery charger built into the DFRobotShop Rover board).

Regarding an arm, it’s important to note that the DFRobotShop Rover is incredibly lightweight, so we suggest a lightweight gripper:
robotshop.com/en/micro-gripp … servo.html
robotshop.com/en/hitec-hs55-servo-motor.html

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Thanks,

Since there is no rc for this robot what would be additional ways to control the robot other than with a computer? Also, what would be a simple and inexpensive similar robot that would allow me to opperate with a remote controller and be able to attach an arm and/or some other mechanism? Please include a list of items needed and prices for the various options. -Thanks, Ben

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We offer both a Bluetooth kit and an XBee kit around the DFRobotShop Rover, but it’s really easiest to use a computer. For wireless control, the DFRobot IR remote is a very good option.
You can also use the Lynxmotion PS2 system, though you will need to understand and modify the code in order to get it to work with the DFRobotShop Rover.
Arduino is very versatile, so it really comes down to how much you’re willing to program and how much customization you’re ready to do.
As for an arm, the main issue is where you put it on the rover, since if you add it at the front, the rover will tip over. We’d suggest a small gripper instead:
robotshop.com/en/micro-gripp … servo.html
robotshop.com/en/hitec-hs55-servo-motor.html

If you want to mount an arm, we suggest considering the RobotShop Rover:
robotshop.com/en/robotshop-r … racks.html
This already includes a pan/tilt and you can add a gripper as well. It’s a far heavier platform and you can more easily mount a small “arm” using the following:
robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … ervos.html
robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … ga-kt.html
robotshop.com/en/hitec-hs422 … motor.html

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Thanks, I was also wondering if I get the Bluetooth kit what device can I run that off of. I assume I will use my computer wirelessly. And if I get the basic kit and the IR remote controller, can I run the robot in real time from that, or will I write a program on the computer and then download it to the robot and press a button on the remote to start the program? Will I need to do this if I get the Bleutooth kit as well? In other words, how will I run the robot if I get the Bleutooth kit, and how will I run the robot if I get the remote? Finally, if I make a platform on my 3D printer and attach it to the robot( is that possible) could I mount a robotic arm on the robot that way? -Thanks, Ben

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The easiest would be to use a computer or laptop. If you want to use a smartphone or certain tablet PCs, you’ll need to write the app which sends the right commands via Bluetooth.

You will still need to write code and upload it to the board, but after that, you can run the robot in real time using the IR remote.

You should ideally choose one form of wireless communication; you can run both, but it would be best to separate the code.

Sure.

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Thanks a few more questions. Which kit would you reccomend the Bleutooth or Basic? I will be operating it in my room which has no easy computer access. I could run it from my IPod touch or my Kindle Fire (original), and I have wifi. What would be involved in running it from either of these devices? Is it very easy to run the robot from the IR remote (if I get the Basic kit)? Also, is there an extension I could wou between the gripper and the pan and tilt, on the robotic arm I plan to attach to the robot? Is it possible to but another mechanism in this arm extension to allow it to bend? -Thanks again, Ben S.

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The DFRobotShop Rover Bluetooth kit is best if you have access to a computer, whereas the Basic kit is really just that; the basic platform.

You would need to create an app, at which point we would suggest the Bluetooth version. There are some programs available to help with basic App creation, though we don’t know any specifically for Apple devices or the Kindle.

You need to purchase something like the Universal IR receiver and create the necessary code.

On the DFRobotShop Rover or the RobotShop Rover? If it’s for the DFRobotShop Rover, you’re looking at a mechanism which would really make the robot front heavy and tip over.
Can you explain where you are in your decision process - what products have you decided on?

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I have probably decided on the DFRobotShop Rover V2 (bluetooth kit) which I will run from my Mac laptop. I plan to add the following to the robot:

DFRobotShop Rover Expansion Plate V2
Some sort of mini pan and tilt kit (sugestions)
Some sort of arm extension (as asked about above)
Micro Gripper Kit (No Sevo)
HS-55 Micro Servo Motor
Some sort of range sensor (suggestions)

Thanks for any sugestions/additins to my list of parts.

-Thanks again, Ben S.

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  1. DFRobotShop Rover Expansion Plate V2

  2. Some sort of mini pan and tilt kit (suggestions)
    Ideally something lightweight such as:
    robotshop.com/en/dagu-mini-p … t-kit.html
    robotshop.com/en/servocity-s … ervos.html
    robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … black.html

  3. Some sort of arm extension (as asked about above)
    If you opt for the Lynxmotion mini pan/tilt above, you can essentially purchase two and add a degree of freedom. Use the spare 55 servo in the micro gripper.
    Alternatively, you can purchase the brackets alone:
    1x robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … acket.html
    1x robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … acket.html
    This will save a bit of weight since you won’t have a pan servo at the base.

  4. Micro Gripper Kit (No Sevo)
    It will need to be as lightweight as possible, such as:
    robotshop.com/en/micro-gripp … servo.html
    You’ll need to figure out how you want to mount it to the arm you create.

Keep in mind that with all these servos, we strongly suggest an IO board:
robotshop.com/en/dfrobot-io- … no-v7.html

  1. HS-55 Micro Servo Motor

  2. Some sort of range sensor (suggestions)

A sharp IR is best:
robotshop.com/en/sharp-gp2d1 … cable.html
robotshop.com/en/lynxmotion- … using.html