So many options...Help me pick!

[t0mills]

I’m building a phoenix-like hexapod, and am still in the design stages. I’ll be cutting all of the aluminum parts on a waterjet, so I’m trying to decide exactly what I want to use (electronics wise) so that I can make accomodations to fit everything.

I’m not great at programming, so I’d like to stick with something common that has plenty of code available.

My laptop does not have a serial port (but does have bluetooth), so I’m pretty set on using a BlueSMiRF for communication. Here are some options that I can see are available:

Bot Board 2 + SSC-32

Bot BoarDuino + SSC-32

SSC-32 by itself (Maybe?)

ARC-32 by itself

ARC-32 + Bot BoarDuino

What do you guys recommend? I’m open to anything. Also, I’d like to be able to control this thing from my laptop (built in bluetooth), but is there a distinct advantage to using a PS2 controller instead? Are the joystick movements proportional to the robots speed (versus just hitting a key on the keyboard)?

I want to be able to move it around using various walking gaits, and also run the GP sequences that I see on here (very fluid-like movement).

Any help is appreciated! I’m just a little overwhelmed by all the different electronic choices, and don’t want to pick something then realize that there was a better option… Budget isn’t a concern, just want whatever will work best.

Also attaching a rendering of what I’ve got so far.

[robotdude]

There is probably more code for the BotboardII/Atom Pro and SSC-32. But I think we have or are very close to having code for the Botborduino and SSC-32. This supports C like programming. There is very little for the Arc-32 even though it is very similar to the BotboardII/Atom Pro. You can control it using the PC and just the SSC-32, but nothing off the shelf, and it’s normally not a good idea to be sending servo position data through the wireless connection, compared to having it on the bot and just accepting higher level behavior commands.

Y = Bot Board 2 + SSC-32

Y = Bot BoarDuino + SSC-32

N = SSC-32 by itself (Maybe?)

N = ARC-32 by itself

N = ARC-32 + Bot BoarDuino

[t0mills]

Good info, thanks!

It looks like, out of those choices, that the Botboarduino + SSC-32 is my best option. What do you think about PS2 controller vs Laptop (via BlueSMiRF) for the high-level commands?

I was planning on running Hitec HS-645MGs all the way around. Do those seem to be acceptable on a Phoenix for smooth movement?

[t0mills]

I’ve added accomodations for the following electronics:

Botboarduino
SSC-32
BlueSMiRF-SM
Turnigy UBEC - 15A
Turnigy 2S 5000mAh LiPo Battery

Anything else you guys can think of?

Weight on this hexapod will be right at 4.85lbs. Will the HS-645MGs be ok? I could also do HS-5645s (Digital) to bump up the torque numbers a bit…

More pics attached. Thanks for your help!