Traxster Instructions - or what can I replace to make it usable

[brokengeiger]

I have the Traxster from when the site was RoboticsConnection. I bought it just before… well 2 Children ago. Nuff said. I have it Stowed away in a box, but didn’t stow the PDF’s or Instructions anywhere.

I do not see any links to the older hardware archived off either. Obviously the older hardware - even though untouched - is aged regarding the software side, but I imagine the actual hardware is pretty much usable. I have the Vortex86 and the original .net serializer.

Questions:

1. Where do I find the instructions these days - or am I out of luck for the serializer to ever work?

2. The Vortex86 has got to be still pretty decent - what can I put on that? I recall that Windows 8 (before I left Microsoft Windows Team) is totally possible to place small enough on devices like this… but I have never tried.

3. The .NET Serializer - Can’t I replace both the Vortex86 and .net Serializer with a raspberry pi (or similar) and use the GPIO’s to the motor H Bridges - though I think this question might be either exposing my ignorance (be gentle) or reinforcing the fact I need to find those PDF’s to remind myself what everything was capable of doing.

edit: I do suppose the Serializer had that extra capability of all those sensors - so I’m guessing a RPi is out of the question.

[brokengeiger]

Thanks for that

If you don’t mind perhaps I may have missed understood something a very long time ago. Isn’t a “computer” onboard necessary to do ‘stuff’… or was I mislead by my own misunderstanding that I needed something like the Vortext86 to operate the serializer…

or can I program and upload all the code to the serializer and the serializer will be the “brains”?

[brokengeiger]

One more question. I’m probably behind on firmware and library files. Most if not all the links are dead on the roboticsconnection site. Where do I find the rest of the fun stuff?

[cbenson]

1. Where do I find the instructions these days - or am I out of luck for the serializer to ever work?

We have the product description in our back-end and can provide the assembly guide:
robotshop.com/PDF/TraxsterAssemblyGuide.pdf

Features:
• Rugged, Lightweight, Agressive Design
• Anodized Aluminum Components
• DC Gearhead Motors (7.2VDC, 100oz-in 160RPM (No load) with integrated quadrature encoders (624 PPR)
• Servo Hole (for IR panner or CMUcam2/2+ turret)
• Fully enclosed chassis (removable bottom)
• Carries two batteries onboard with easy access
• Tons of room inside to mount and protect electronic components
• Predrilled holes for Serializer
• Predrilled holes for Sharp IR Sensors
• Predrilled holes for ICOP Vortex86-6082 board and cables
• Predrilled holes for switches, antennas, and wire routing

2. The Vortex86 has got to be still pretty decent - what can I put on that? I recall that Windows 8 (before I left Microsoft Windows Team) is totally possible to place small enough on devices like this… but I have never tried.

The Vortex86 was not included in the default configuration - you’ll need to look up the specs for that separately.

3. The .NET Serializer - Can’t I replace both the Vortex86 and .net Serializer with a raspberry pi (or similar) and use the GPIO’s to the motor H Bridges - though I think this question might be either exposing my ignorance (be gentle) or reinforcing the fact I need to find those PDF’s to remind myself what everything was capable of doing.

The Pi can’t control motors directly - you still need a dual motor controller.

[cbenson]

You can use the Serializer alone if you’d like. The Vortex86 can handle higher level things like image recognition.

[cbenson]

Unfortunately we don’t have any of the files on our servers. Keep searching online.