Comments

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  KM6VV September 17, 2012 at 4:24pm

  ROS can run the connect on the turtlebot! 

  It also has stacks to run obstacle avoidance, and blob tracking with a CMU camera.

  Alan
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III September 17, 2012 at 2:25pm

  @Alan,

  I am running Window 7 and plan to upgrade to Windows 8. I needed to run Windows 7 to be able to use the Kinect.

  Concerning integration of robust obstacle avoidance and goal identification into the APM code, I think that it might not be a good idea due to the complexity of the existing APM code. I plan to let the APM do what it does well: navigate. The Arduino Uno does obstacle avoidance very well and maybe an Arduino Mega can provide goal identification. I am for diversified processing wherever possible as sometimes an all-in-one solution is cumbersome to debug and maintain.

  Regards,

  TCIII
• 

  Bradley J Carr September 17, 2012 at 2:16pm

  Would somebody that has alot of experience with programming the arduino help me out with a couple of things for something I am building.  I just have a couple of questions about making two outputs with PWM do what I need it to.
• Moderator

  Grips September 17, 2012 at 10:40am

  Guys is Anyone running the Ardurover with a minimosd connected via the telemetry port?
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  KM6VV September 17, 2012 at 9:47am

  Hi Thomas,

  What are you running on your ITX? 

  If we could get straight heading and speed parameters out of the APM, then a simple Arduino could add in the collision avoidance and goal identification.  With a better understanding of APM code, these behaviors could even be added into its code.

  Alan
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III September 16, 2012 at 7:57pm

  Hi Alan,

  With the stock 4.00 gear ratio it will hit over 30 mph on the straight away portion of the oval road that surrounds our townhome development. With the optional 3.40 gear ratio it will almost get to 50 mph which is a bit faster than I need for autonomous operation. LOL. I may just leave the stock 4.00 gear ratio in the transmission as there is no problem popping wheelies which I really do not need to do for RoboMagellan.

  I am particularly anxious to see if I can get the Mission Planner to work with the Traxxas TQi car R/C controller instead of the plane R/C that JLN used. The TQi can control four channels of which two are servo, one two way switch, and the third is a three way switch which is required for full ArduRover control.

  I think that I will try the rover without obstacle avoidance to make sure that it can get to programmed waypoints in a clear field then move on to using the Ardu Uno for obstacle avoidance using subsumption.

  Sounds like you are really making progress. I hope to perform the RoboMagellan without resorting to an ITX. Though I do have an ITX on my EDDIE clone.

  Regards,

  TCIII
• 

  KM6VV September 16, 2012 at 6:08pm

  HI Thomas,

  
  Good to hear it!  How fast is it?

  I've just about got my new 6WD drive train working, but I'm taking a break (?) and working on getting the mini-ITX computer up and running.  I actually had to build two systems; convert an IBM laptop to Linux, and put Ubuntu and ROS on both machines.

  The ITX has WiFi and a 250 GB SSD.  Easy load of turtlebot from the club's turtlebot USB drive.  I borrowed the turtlebot to get familiar with ROS.  Big help!  and it's a good starting point for my code.  Neato XV11 code would also be a good place to start, maybe a little simpler.

  Alan
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III September 16, 2012 at 4:38pm

  Hi All,

  Worked on my Traxxas E-Maxxs ArduRover today! I basically started where I left off when I packed up to move from TX to FL. I had recently purchased a Traxxas TQi four channel transmitter and a five channel Traxxas receiver off of eBay for about 1/2 the list prices. I had decided to proof out the E-Maxxs chassis/motor/ESC/receiver/transmitter before moving on to establishing a fully autonomous rover. So I followed the Traxxas startup instructions and found that both the rover steering and throttle were reversed. A quick check of the TQi user manual resolved those two problems as the TQis are fully programmable! Then with fully charged 5000mahr 2S LiPos I proceeded to break-in the clutch per the Traxxas instructions. So far so good. I am presently using the 17 tooth pinion gear with the 68 tooth spur gear for the break-in period. I will probably change the 17 thooth pinion gear to a 20 tooth gear for autonomous use. I have a rectangular platform screwed to the E-Maxxs chassis and will use that platform to mount my processors, GPS, sensors, compass, etc.

  Regards,

  TCIII
• Rich Maynard September 12, 2012 at 5:00pm

  I just received the Email about Lynxmotion also. On his forum, Jim explained it's mostly due to health issues with him and his wife. RoboShop will probably keep the existing product line going. It'll be interesting to see if they add any new components though.

  -Rich
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III September 12, 2012 at 7:34am

  @All,

  Finally got all of the "honey dos" out of the way and can now restart my ArduRover Traxxas E-Maxx project again. I even have my own work station in the kitchen of all places. At least I do not have to do tedious soldering/assembly out in the garage where the temperature is around 85 F and the humidity around 60% during the day.

  Regards,

  TCIII