A4WD1 Rover ~$220 via Lynxmotion
SSC-32 ~$40 via Lynxmotion
Sabertooth 2x10 R/C ~$65 via Lynxmotion
USB-Serial converter ~$30 via Lynxmotion
USB Net Share Station ~$29 via Newegg
Trendnet Wired IP Camera ~$50 via Amazon
Linksys E1000 Wireless N Router ~$50 via Newegg
Pan/Tilt ~$36 via Lynxmotion
Total cost for robot, servos and electronics: ~$520
(note, batteries not included…)
One of the things that I see a lot is the desire for a robot controlled by a router, but to get to that point, warranties are usually void in the process. So I set out to find a simple, non-hacking, accessible to anyone, solution to the problem. I think that I’ve stumbled upon a gem here. The USB Net Share Station (BT-UP01, $28 via Newegg) is the missing link that I think people have been looking for. It allows for an SSC-32 (or any other serial/USB device) to be accessed over the network! Setup was a breeze as well. Just wiring and then setting a few IP addresses. Connect and go!
I’m seriously having difficulties in writing this post because setting up everything was so simple. The entire project is very nearly plug and play.
Can you explain in more detail the setup process? Where did you have to configure the IP addresses? Can you provide a block diagram of the configuration?
At times I wonder if it might be just as easy to handle the camera separately than the control of the SSC-32 and/or microcontroller. Example I wonder how well something like: google.com/products/catalog? … DEQ8wIwAg#.
It would remove the conversion to USB back to serial and the need to power the router, but it would require two wireless devices to broadcast instead of just the router, so… I guess a lot would depend on cost/power requirements between the two approaches. Also I still wonder about some of the wireless routers that have serial ports and or USB ports, if any of them support simply plugging in an USB to RS232 cable and have it share it out… So far I have not found one…
EDIT: my guess is your approach would be far be the cheapest approach (except for hacking a router).
Prices at Newegg for router: $50, for the USB Netshare: $29 and the USB to serial adapter from Lynxmotion: $30 or about $110 plus cables…
The only problem that I see with most devices like this is that their broadcast range is going to be vastly insuperior to a wireless N router. You could use them, it would just have limited range. Completely fine if you’re just going to be running the robot around the house, but if you’re going to take the robot outside…
Thanks for looking up the prices for me. I meant to post them in the original post, but it appears that I forgot to do so.
I’ll edit the post to include the prices.
Has anyone else tried this yet? I seem to have all of the parts except for the net share station and the camera. I do have a a/v camera though so I could just use it in my house. Is it worth it?
It probably depends on the value you put on such projects. I’ve got a similar project below that would have a similar cost for some components that might be of interest.
Don’t worry about bringing it back… It’s my thread!
For now (then?), I just used some double sided foam tape. When I get the time to work on this again, I plan to add an L bracket onto the C bracket and hold the camera in place using the screw it came with. Like this picture:
This might be a dumb question but now that you have the SSC-32 as network controllable with the router and USB station what software do you use to control the robot?
Reason is I have a SSC-32 in my box of robot parts and a couple of routers laying around and have the itch to make a Large! robot with two of the power wheel chair motors I have laying around.
Previously I had them wired up for radio control with a simple relay H-bridge, though I would need to find a actual H-bridge capable of taking 40 to 50 amps.
