Linux???

[linuxguy]

@Tillin9

Wow, thanks for the info. The TS-7400 looks just like something I might want. It’s basically a slightly more powerful WRT board with USB instead of ethernet ports, and smaller footprint.

Yes, indeed, but there is one downside to the TS-=7400 board I just discovered:

@Technologic

Unlike other TS-7000 ARM products, the TS-7400 is not a stand-alone Single Board Computer. The TS-9441 peripheral board is needed during development in order to configure and setup the TS-7400 flash system. The TS-9441 has 2KB EEPROM, and 2MB serial Flash, so it can be used to bring-up/recover “dead” TS-7400 boards. Using a console on the TS-7400 is only possible through the TS-9441 RS232 serial port, named Console Header. Also, the TS-9441 enables regulated 5VDC power in. Once the TS-7400 is configured and loaded, it can safely run stand-alone.

I took that direct from the Technologic info on the TS-7400. Still though, you would only have to purchase one of the TS-9441 boards as it could be used with all TS-7400’s you might get. It’s a one time expense to working with the TS-7400 that may just be worthwhile.

8-Dale

[tillin9]

I knew there was a catch. An extra $150 (cheapest development bundle, seriously who needs a 256 MB USB flash drive?) makes that a lot less appealing. Still the small size makes it worth considering. I do really like the fact it runs Debian, since 95+% of the systems I admin are Debian or Debian daughter distros so it would be almost as easy as sticking an x86 PC on the bot for me.

[linuxguy]

@Tillin9

I knew there was a catch. An extra $150 (cheapest development bundle, seriously who needs a 256 MB USB flash drive?) makes that a lot less appealing. Still the small size makes it worth considering.

This is very true. I also like the size of the Gumstix, but am not sure I care for those funky connectors they use. However, there is a fellow over on Open Servo that is using a Gumstix, so I am reconsidering it. I am now committed to using Open Servos all the way through my next robot.

@Tillin9

I do really like the fact it runs Debian, since 95+% of the systems I admin are Debian or Debian daughter distros so it would be almost as easy as sticking an x86 PC on the bot for me.

In that case, it could be a perfect match for you. I am looking forward to having a Linux based robot one day, which may well end up being a Gumstix just because I could put it on pretty much any size robot.

8-Dale <edited to correct a typo - “not” to “now”>

[haddenharley]

Many people with whom I have spoken about computers are under the notion that the operating system is directly tied to the hardware that it runs on. In other words, they think that PCs only run the Windows operating systems and that computers manufactured by Apple only run the Macintosh operating systems. When you present them with a new operating system, such as Linux, they immediately think that they will have to go out and buy an entirely new computer to run this other OS. I just thought that this might be something that needs to be explained on the get GNU/Linux Web site, but I could be wrong.

[linuxguy]

@NickReiser

Operating systems are a waste of space.
What use would a robot have of an operating system, after all?
That would just make it easier for us carbon lifeforms to work with them.

An OS allows us to use many different programming languages, such as Python (a personal favorite), for programming robots. It also allows much better multitasking, process communication, as well as true internet protocol communication. In general, an OS such as Linux opens up many new ways of doing things with robots. Otherwise, why would DARPA roboteers choose it pretty much universally for the autonomous vehicles?

8-Dale

[linuxguy]

@haddenharley

Many people with whom I have spoken about computers are under the notion that the operating system is directly tied to the hardware that it runs on. In other words, they think that PCs only run the Windows operating systems and that computers manufactured by Apple only run the Macintosh operating systems. When you present them with a new operating system, such as Linux, they immediately think that they will have to go out and buy an entirely new computer to run this other OS. I just thought that this might be something that needs to be explained on the get GNU/Linux Web site, but I could be wrong.

Yes indeed! You’ve provided some needed clarification.

8-Dale

[angelscrocher]

It is the one of the best operating system in the technical market. nice function is it.no fear to enter virus in PC or what are using computer.
I like its features .its a small Unix system linux has on an official mascot.all search engine are very nice woke on it .I have also linux OS
In my laptop.

[angelscrocher]

This is realy good below information,I am starting to new design using system of TS 7400 its is nice single module computer board. the three Boot,
Mode is realy to good fast for my presentation. I got a prompt in a couple of seconds. it is very nice module to another module.

[linuxguy]

@angelscrocher

This is realy good below information,I am starting to new design using system of TS 7400 its is nice single module computer board. the three Boot, Mode is realy to good fast for my presentation. I got a prompt in a couple of seconds. it is very nice module to another module.

I decided to go with a BeagleBoard instead of the Technologic boards. With a Zippy2 expansion board, I think I will have a great platform to build on for WALTER’s new brain. I want to use a couple Arduinos connected via USB to do sensor and other I/O processing. I’ve got a BeagleBoard I have been tinkering with and have gotten all the software I want to use loaded on it now.

8-Dale

[jkbot]

Hi,

I’m currently using a Gumstix board (which have the same CPU than Beagleboard) and I advice you to use a Linux Angstrom distrubution. It’s quite lite and you can build it easily with the OpenEmbedded tools.
You can also build one Online on their website and download the packages you need.

I don’t think you need couple of arduinos, the beagleboard is very powerfull and you can do a lot of processing with it.

With my gumstix I get input video stream from a webcam and send it throught wifi while I do all the processing for the IK of the hexapod and take the inputs on Bluetooth, serial port, I2C port (ultrasonic sensor), ADC (battery monitoring), and some gpio.

[linuxguy]

@J-bot

I’m currently using a Gumstix board (which have the same CPU than Beagleboard) and I advice you to use a Linux Angstrom distrubution. It’s quite lite and you can build it easily with the OpenEmbedded tools.
You can also build one Online on their website and download the packages you need.

I am using Angstrom on my BeagleBoard now. I prefer to build my own images here.

@J-bot

I don’t think you need couple of arduinos, the beagleboard is very powerfull and you can do a lot of processing with it.

I know the BeagleBoard is very powerful. However, to interface common sensors to it requires level shifting to 3.3V or 5V and then connecting the sensor properly. This is much easier to do with an Arduino because there is no level shifting required for 5V sensors. Another reason I want to use an Arduino for this is I want the sensors to be constantly read so the most current readings are available when the software on the BeagleBoard needs them.

@J-bot

With my gumstix I get input video stream from a webcam and send it throught wifi while I do all the processing for the IK of the hexapod and take the inputs on Bluetooth, serial port, I2C port (ultrasonic sensor), ADC (battery monitoring), and some gpio.

I’ll still be having the BeagleBoard handle stuff like a webcam, user interface, and processing stuff like IK where the power is really needed for a walking robot.

8-Dale