GroG

12 years ago

"After all, when you come down to it, how much did Robot B9 ACTUALLY do for Will Robinson?"

Didn't he have an increadibly innate sense of danger? If only Sparkfun sold the danger sensor :).

This looks like a great project and I think it will be very inspiring for other roboteurs,  I really like your sketup design.  Nice form.  I was always intimidated creating arms out of Servos.  Kind of like T-Rex arms, but they look great.  I think they could be really expressive too.  For example, you could give them the imposing gun slinger pose, or the "shrug", lots of potential.

I have not released MRL 15 because there still some work that needs to be done with the dependency management sub-system.  MRL now uses Apache Ivy to manage build time & run time dependencies.

Open source projects are amazing.  Sphinx 4, OpenCV, Freetts, Player Stage, JGaph, the list goes on and on.  But one of the challenges of OpenSource is all of these projects have their own release cycles and the dependency management of multiple projects becomes very complexe quickly.  Typically wrong, or missing dependencies is one of the biggest stopping blocks open source users encounter.

Now MRL uses Ivy similar to yum or apt-get.  All the sub-system dependencies are organized and stabalized in a repo here http://myrobotlab.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/myrobotlab/thirdParty/repo/ .  Additionally, this system can be used to get only the modules desired, which makes a lean and clean system.

So that is how its suppose to work in "theory"... of course the implementation is not quite done and it will take some work to finish.

You mentioned that you still were waiting on some hardware components.  It has been my personal experience at this point most robots have a very short uptime life.  This can be due to batteries running out, hardware failing, or certain hardware not existing.  Also it can be more challenging to develop on robotic hardware, due to lack of screen, keyboard or other necessary human interface devices missing from the system.

MRL can be loaded on your personal computer, and developed there in Python or Java and then at some point moved to your robotic hardware.  I would suggest starting this way so at least you become familiar with the software to a degree, since your hardware setup is not finished.  You certainly can develop on the SBC if that is your preference, you will have to guide in that regard.

For example, it would be helpful to me to know what exactly is hooked up currently and powered.  Do you have the SBC on a plugged in power supply?  Is the Arduino Mega currently plugged in.

To Start:

  • download the zip file located here http://myrobotlab.googlecode.com/files/438.439M.20120307.2105.zip
  • unzip in a convient directory - on your Ubuntu SBC or personal computer or both
  • open a terminal or command shell and go to the directory you unzipped the software
  • run update.bat or update.sh depending on operating system - this will load/update ALL Service modules - as I stated before the idea was to load only the Service desired, but for convienence (and MRL15 still needs work) running the update will get you all the modules
    On the system I was using at the time it looks like this :
  • You might want to walk away, as it will take some time to complete.  After it has completed doubleclick the myrobotlab.bat or myrobotlab.sh depending on operating system
  • click the tab which starts with "BORG" - This is the Runtime Service and allows you to create or remove new Services.  The gray items are suppose to represent non-loaded modules, but this is a bug (we just loaded everything in the previous step)
  • highlight the Jython service - hit the east pointing arrow button at the top.  This should load a running Jython service - name it "jython" it might take a while to show up on the right (this has to do with the dependency manager bug :P )
  • when the jython Service loads the jython tab will appear. Click it.  There are several example scripts which you can load. Since you are interested speech recognition & commands load the examples->speech->sayThings.py

  • Press the exec button once.

  • If you have an enabled microphone, what "should" happen is you should be able to say - hello | forward | back | stop | turn left | turn right | spin | power off
  • It "should" say what it recognized - initially on the first utterance it downloads from google speech synthesis a mp3 file into an audio cache. Subsequent utterances will be very responsive.
  • Let me know how far you get.
    When I ran it I found that the utterance triggered an incorrect recognition (feedback loop).  An isPeaking event is supposed to fire and prevent recognition of its own utterance.  This is on windows box (haven't tried it on Linux) but suspect the result will be the same.  Probably the biggest factor is the fact of using a microphone so close to the speakers.  I'll look into it later.
  • When we run into a bug or coding problem I should be able to update the myrobotlab.jar  on the google code site, and you should be able to double click or run update.bat (sh) when you wish to get the update.  It should be very very quick - no navigating, no download and copying, only things which need to be updated will be updated.

Hopefully, this is enough to get you started.

DancesWithRobots

12 years ago

Pioneers are the guys with arrows in their backs.

OK, so in order to get update.sh to run  (Both my desktop system and Houseton's SBC run Ubuntu 11.10. For now, this was done on my desktop computer.) I had to go into the permissions tab of the file properties and check the "allow file to run as a program" box.  While I was in there I did the same thing to myrobotlab.sh and jython.sh.

Once that was done, in terminal I cd' to the folder where I unpacked it, and typed in "sh update.sh" and got a lot of text flashing by--and a lot of "missing dependencies' error and a missing cfg file.

Doing the same thing to myrobotlab.sh got pretty much the same results.

I was lazy about unpacking.  For now it's still in my downloads folder, in a folder called "RobotLab"  (Sorry to take liberties with the name of your project.  I'll give it it's proper name once it runs and I move it to it's final home.)

Here's a log file.

0    [main] DEBUG class org.myrobotlab.framework.Service  - setLogLevel WARN
12   [main] WARN  class org.myrobotlab.framework.ServiceInfo  - cfg file /home/david/Downloads/RobotLab/.myrobotlab/dependencies.xml does not exist
291  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - Ivy resolve error
291  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - unresolved dependency: org.apache.log4j#log4j;1.2.14: configuration not found in org.apache.log4j#log4j;1.2.14: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.apache.log4j#log4j-caller;working default
297  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - Ivy resolve error
298  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - unresolved dependency: org.apache.log4j#log4j;1.2.14: configuration not found in org.apache.log4j#log4j;1.2.14: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.apache.log4j#log4j-caller;working default
349  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - Ivy resolve error
349  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - unresolved dependency: org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: configuration not found in org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.simpleframework.xml#xml-caller;working default
351  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - Ivy resolve error
351  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - unresolved dependency: org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: configuration not found in org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.simpleframework.xml#xml-caller;working default
397  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - Ivy resolve error
397  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - unresolved dependency: com.mxgraph.jgraph#jgraph;1.6.1.2: configuration not found in com.mxgraph.jgraph#jgraph;1.6.1.2: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from com.mxgraph.jgraph#jgraph-caller;working default
399  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - Ivy resolve error
399  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - unresolved dependency: com.mxgraph.jgraph#jgraph;1.6.1.2: configuration not found in com.mxgraph.jgraph#jgraph;1.6.1.2: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from com.mxgraph.jgraph#jgraph-caller;working default
445  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - Ivy resolve error
445  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - unresolved dependency: org.fife.rsyntaxtextarea#rsyntaxtextarea;1.5.2: configuration not found in org.fife.rsyntaxtextarea#rsyntaxtextarea;1.5.2: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.fife.rsyntaxtextarea#rsyntaxtextarea-caller;working default
446  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - Ivy resolve error
446  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - unresolved dependency: org.fife.rsyntaxtextarea#rsyntaxtextarea;1.5.2: configuration not found in org.fife.rsyntaxtextarea#rsyntaxtextarea;1.5.2: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.fife.rsyntaxtextarea#rsyntaxtextarea-caller;working default
447  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - failed dependencies
447  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - could not create service gui GUIService
447  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - ------
java.lang.NullPointerException
    at org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime.invokeCMDLine(Unknown Source)
    at org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime.main(Unknown Source)

If there's anything else you want to know about or see--let me know.

As for Housetons currenty state of assembly:

(I'll include pictures later.  It's early morning and I decided to check email after letting some cats out. Big mistake!)

Currently, Houston is a Rover 5 with an aluminum plate bolted, (actually screwed) to it. On top of that is an Arduino Mega 2560 and sensor shield, a laptop sized hard drive, (100 gig, if I recall.)  A Dagu 4 channel controller, Three DC-DC converters to supply 5 volts to the servos, 7.2 volts to the drive motors, and 18 volts to a Zotac mini itx SBC with an Atom 525 processor, 4 gig of ram and onboard wifi running Ubuntu 11.04.

I'll go into the construction of the base in another post.

The Arduino is intended to be a controller between the SBC and almost everything else.  Right now, the servos are disconnected, as is the wiring between the Arduino and the motor controller.  The reason for that is I've been saving, buying parts, waiting for parts--and I keep realizing I need something else--which starts another round of changes. . .But I (finally) have a good idea of what is going where, so that should be completed. . .probably today's project.

There are some aluminum uprights that rise to roughly 90cm above the the "deckplate" that support the two arms.  The arms have changed somewhat from the picture--No more "T Rex" arms.  Originally, I started out with Lynxmotion parts, but I wasn't happy with the results--Too short. (And expensive.)--So I hand cut some stiff plastic I had, and assembled two arms, roughly 45cm long.

Currently, they have only three degrees of freedom.  Shoulder rotation forward to roughly 180 degrees, shoulder rotation to the side to about the same point, and an elbow that comes in to about 160 degrees or so.  There is also provision for wrist rotation.

I'd like to get the wrists to bend, but, It's kind of important that I stay under 12 servos.  Two for head rotate and tilt, the six I've described for the arms along with two more for wrist rotation and--well it depends.  I haven't quite finalized the end effectors yet.  I could probably fabricate a pair of some sort of three fingered hand or robot claw and use another pair of servos to operate them, or. . .well I'm leaning towards one of those coffee grounds/balloon/vacuum grippers that were all over the robot blogs a few months ago.  That would give me back a pair of servos for wrist bending, and what I consider appropriate dexterity.  What ever I do, the arms have to stay under 5 servos each.

The servos I have have all had their feedback potentiometers tapped and their cables extended so I could get some position data into the Arduino.

I DO have weight issues with the arms.  The servos aren't strong enough to lift them to their full extension, so I'm currently "studying balanced swing arm lamps."  There may be a future redesign of the arms, or more likely, I'll just use springs to offset the weight.

Construction of the arms, along with pictures and the rationale for why I did things the way I did will be the subject of a future post.

I have an Xtion Pro Live, (Asus' answer to the Kinect.) on order and it should arrive in a couple of days. that arrived today. Today I'll be ordering I ordered a dozen solder tab batteries that should arrive next week.  That's the end of the major parts--tho no doubt there will be changes--So next week, Houseton should be able to actually move untethered under his own power for the first time ever.

My software developement so far has been on my desktop system, and has been limited to Arduino scripts that tested the drive motors and servos. I figure, I'll install VNC to Houstons SBC so I can develop directly without having to connect a keyboard and monitor.  Later I'll experiment with a myrobotlab connection between my computer and Houstons SBC.

The whole thing is going to be covered with a shell of cloroplast.  (Currently sitting in a box in the corner.)  And comes in at about 5 kilos.  (Tested with the weight of a dozen alkaline C cells.) Not sure how Rover 5 is going to like that.  so there may be a future revision with beefier drive motors.  So far, everything has been nicely balanced, but I guess we'll see what happens next week when I add 2.5kg of batteries.

I'm sure you know that I became aware of myrobotlab at letsmakerobots.com.  Over there I probably come across as a wannabee knowitall, because I answer a lot of questions in spite of  having no posted projects.  That's because I got this thing about making a lot of claims with little to show for it--especially on a site where it seems people are completing a new project every other week.  But now I'm finally ready to put things together and make them work.

admin

12 years ago

The issue is I dont have any 64 bit machines.  By the way, are you getting email notifications of new comments? Just wondering what all is working or not working.

I have added an amd64 configuration set to the repo, you should be able to proceed

DancesWithRobots

12 years ago

In reply to by admin

OK, I just checked my email before coming here and I didn't get an email.

As for no 64 bit version, this has bitten me before, and may not be such a big deal.  Houstons version of Ubuntu is 32 bit.

This is my latest log.  Shorter.  Maybe it's all about this missing config file?

0    [main] DEBUG class org.myrobotlab.framework.Service  - setLogLevel WARN
13   [main] WARN  class org.myrobotlab.framework.ServiceInfo  - cfg file /home/david/myrobotlab/.myrobotlab/dependencies.xml does not exist
358  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - Ivy resolve error
358  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.framework.Ivy2  - unresolved dependency: org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: configuration not found in org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.simpleframework.xml#xml-caller;working default
360  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - Ivy resolve error
360  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - unresolved dependency: org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: configuration not found in org.simpleframework.xml#xml;2.5.3: 'amd64.32.linux'. It was required from org.simpleframework.xml#xml-caller;working default
457  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - failed dependencies
457  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - could not create service gui GUIService
457  [main] ERROR org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime  - ------
java.lang.NullPointerException
    at org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime.invokeCMDLine(Unknown Source)
    at org.myrobotlab.service.Runtime.main(Unknown Source)

admin

12 years ago

Its nice to hear that some parts are beginning to work. I've successfully run the OpenCV Service from my newly installed  Ubuntu 11.10

It has been a while since I did much to the filters, but here I've added a Lucas Kanade Optical track point on my eye.  This point will typically stabalize and track through the video stream.  I noticed my laptop camera is very slow.  The fastest camera I have worked with would be the Kinect.

The OpenCVFrameGrabber was designed to work with V4L(2)  so it should be able to pick up /dev/video0 .  That is what I have by default.  If nothing happens, you might want to send me the log after your attempt to start a capture.

admin

12 years ago

 

from time import sleep
from org.myrobotlab.service import Arduino
from org.myrobotlab.service import Servo
 
# create and start services
arduino = Runtime.create("arduino","Arduino")
arduino.startService()
 
servo1 = Runtime.create("servo1","Servo")
servo1.startService()
 
servo2 = Runtime.create("servo2","Servo")
servo2.startService()
 
servo3 = Runtime.create("servo3","Servo")
servo3.startService()
 
# connect the Arduino service to the correct port & baud
# ArduinoSerialBare.pde must be loaded into the Arduino
arduino.setPort("COM5")
arduino.setSerialPortParams(57600, 8, 1, 0)
 
# attach the servos to the arduino with the appropriate pins
servo1.attach("arduino", 9)
servo2.attach("arduino", 5)
servo3.attach("arduino", 8)
 
# sweep the 3 servos in one direction
for x in range(1,180):
sleep(0.1)
servo1.moveTo(x)
servo2.moveTo(x)
servo3.moveTo(x)
 

Not quite--But it's close.  And I'm not sure why it fails.

First, I changed the baud rate to 9600.  (Diecimila's are slow.) Then I changed the serial port to /dev/ttyusb0.  (Typical for a Diecimila or Uno on a Linux box.)

Then, since I only have the option to use 2 servos, (I'm plugging into an AFMotorShield, which only has two ports available for servos.)  I commented out servo 3, and changed servo's 1 and 2 to pins 9 and 10.  Finally I commented out servo 3 in the sweep portion of the code.

Nothing happened when I ran it. (Exec button.)  SO I deleted everything after the imports and services.  When I ran it, the services all started.  SO, I reloaded the code, and deleted everything that came after the serial portion.  Exec--services opened again.

Then I deleted only the last few lines--the sweep test.  Once again, the services loaded.

When I opened up the code again, and ran it--no services.  SO, I get the impression we have an issue with syntax or the for loop--which looks fine to my noo eyes.

Question for you--is it possible to get an indication of whatever errors might be popping up?  I'm guessing that this involve opening a console to catch error messages.  But the details. . .I'm. . .stumped.

If you copy pasted the script as is - the for loop will lose it's indentation.  Indentation is something Python is very terse about.

I copied it out and attempted to run it and got the error :

Caused by: SyntaxError: ("mismatched input 'sleep' expecting INDENT", ('<string>', 31, 0, 'sleep(0.1)\n'))
 
after indenting the following 4 lines after the for statement, I saw the commands to change servo positions fly by.
 
# sweep the 3 servos in one direction
for x in range(1,180):
  sleep(0.1)
  servo1.moveTo(x)
  servo2.moveTo(x)
  servo3.moveTo(x)
 
And yes, you can open a debugging console and even set the level of logging you wish.
Its on the menu:
 
System->Logging->Level->Debug
System->Logging->Type->Console
 
Setting those two checkboxes should but MRL into logging all debug info to a console.

 

EXCELLENT!  I'll make that change a little later today and let you know how it worked out.

Funny, I DID wonder about the indentation, and when I dropped the sweep portion into IDLE, it DID complain about indentation--and worked when I turned it into a simple print x loop, it worked.  But I was too tired to make the next logical connection.

It seems to run, going by the log, however, the servos never moved.

So, I commented out the sweep section, and just let it bring up the services.  Then I went into the arduino service and was able to toggle pin 13.

So I went into the servo services and was able to move them--until I moved them too fast and they failed.  Getting reconnected was a hassle, and I actually had to restart the whole computer.

I THINK, this might have something to do with the arduino timing--that is, it's getting too many commands from MRL to process when they're sent one degree at a time.

What if, the servo service was changed so that a position information is sent only once.  Perhaps by adding a "send" or "move" button to the service.  The angle could be set, and then an appropriately sized pulse could be sent to the servo  by hitting the move button.  Then, further commands are locked out until an appropriate amount of time, based on a servo speed value which could default to some number, but be selectable.

If I remember right, the timing value is the time it takes a servo to sweep to 60 degrees.  I'll have to verify that.

In the future, a new service "puppet"  or "pose" or whatever could oversee sending a string of commands to an array of servos--timed to avoid giving the Arduino a nervous breakdown.

Uh. . .maybe that's more of an application than a service.  But I think before we can proceed with getting servos to work, we need to make them more reliable.

Also, I suspect that my slow Diecimila is not helping.

admin

11 years 12 months ago

Chrome browser now works with the WYSIWYG editor here...
Back at the lab (Yay) ... will be doing robust Servo testing (GUI & Jython).
Has the Arduino-Mega come off the boat yet ?

No.  :(  In fact, I'm not even sure it shipped.  (No tracking info)  But. . .they're in stock at the local RS, so, I'm thinking about biting the bullet and picking one up tomorrow.  Since it's the only thing I'm waiting for at this point.

admin

11 years 11 months ago

Ok, finally really starting to work on the Arduino / Mega.  At the moment I'm creating a AJAX/JSON interface for it, originally I was inspired by XicoMBD from MRL - (http://letsmakerobots.com/node/22139).  He made a great interface for one in Processing.

This one will be potentially accessable from any browser anywhere...  An optional (localhost only & authentication properties will be added)

But what a nifty concept, the idea that your arduino can be plugged in and accessable from anywhere in the world with no client software needed except a browser..

Here's the gui sofar..

This will be changeable from Duemilanove to Mega too..

 

GroG

11 years 5 months ago

I finally found & read the Dagu manual the motor controller...   This is just another 2-bit (no pun intended) motor controller, and I just overhauled the Motor GUI.  (I attached the manual)

I think we are good to try it...  If it's hooked up.

I would recommend having it tethered and powered, with the wheels off the ground.  So that if anything does go wrong it doesn't smash itself into the wall, or jump down a flight of stairs.

I'd be very interested in getting the encoder data in, but at the moment we can start with simple control.

Do you have a Mega attached to it?

If you load a Mega, then a Motor - You can attach the Motor to the Mega - choosing the PWM & direction pin. Then grab a joystick and you need just one line of code to control the speed and direction of the motor with the joystick.

 

What say you DWR..  are you ready ???

 

DancesWithRobots

11 years 5 months ago

In reply to by GroG

I'm going to give this a try tomorrow and post the results.

GroG

11 years 5 months ago

Here is a start ...

You'll need the latest bleeding edge.

The following is a script which I start an MRL instance - drop it and I will have joystick speed control over a motor attached to an Arduino (328 in my case).

You'll need to tweek it for your system.  The Joystick name you'll need to record - add a joystick - connect - then stop recording - and look at the gui_<date>.py script generated in the .myrobotlab directory - it will have the full name (as it is in the gui) for the joystick device you want the motor connected to.

 

 

from java.lang import Float
 
motorPWMPin = 9
motorDirectionPin = 8
 
runtime.createAndStart("arduino","Arduino")
# arduino.setBoard("mega2560")
arduino.setBoard("atmega328")
arduino.setSerialDevice("/dev/ttyUSB1",57600,8,1,0)
sleep(2)
arduino.pinMode(16,0)
arduino.analogReadPollingStart(16)
sleep(2)
arduino.pinMode(16,0)
arduino.analogReadPollingStop(16)
runtime.createAndStart("motor01","Motor")
 
#arduino.motorAttach("motor01",object)
arduino.motorAttach("motor01", motorPWMPin, motorDirectionPin)
 
runtime.createAndStart("joystick","Joystick")
 
joystick.setController("0 - Logitech Logitech Cordless RumblePad 2")
joystick.startPolling()
motor01.subscribe("YAxisRaw", "joystick", "move", Float(0).getClass()) 
 
motor01.publishState()
arduino.publishState()
joystick.publishState()
 
What this script does:
  • Creates a Motor, Arduino & Joystick service
  • Sets the board type of the Arduino
  • connects MRL to the Arduino
  • sleeps for 2 seconds after connecting - because serial ports are a pain
  • sets the pin mode on one of the analog pins
  • starts a trace you can see in the oscope on one of the analog pins - then runs it for 2 seconds
  • turns off the trace
  • attaches the Motor to the Arduino
  • sets the joystick to the appropriate device on my computer
  • starts polling info for the joystick
  • makes the motor subscribe to YAxisRaw events from the Joystick
  • publishes all the current states of the services (theoretically to update the gui - but that still needs some work)

After I run this script I can move one of my joysticks on the gamepad up or down and the motor will change direction and speed accordingly

Make sure you load the Arduino with the latest MRLComm.ino - the new robust serial communication is "the bomb"

Other Erratta :
My motor is a 6V DC 293 rpm gear motor.  It takes a whollop to move, almost 90% power - but once it finally starts moving you can slow it down to near 30% power before it stops.  Auto-ramping (where if the motor knows its at rest and must overshoot in order to move accurately) might be a nice feature to add..

GroG

11 years 5 months ago

I took a peek underneath Houston's skirt....

uh.. very neat & clean (as all robot privates should be) - 
I was wondering how you built your cables - was it a sleeve that you ran wires through? 
If so - where do you get it?

 

DancesWithRobots

11 years 5 months ago

The picture shows the Arduino wiring.  The Arduino has a "sensor shield" which groups the pins in sets of four, and adds 5v and ground to each position, so it's very easy to plug in something like a servo or Ping sensor, or any other 3 pin device.

The wire I used is 20 gauge 3 conductor shielded with drain, covered with a pvc jacket.  This means there is a mylar foil shield around the 3 conductors, and a bare wire along the length.  I used the bare wire as a ground, wherever it was needed.  In some cases, where there was no ground to worry about, I just pulled the drain wire out of the jacket.

I crimped my own pins on the wires, and cut them to length.

The motor controller pins were NOT layed out as signal, voltage gound, but rather a collection of control (such as direction)  and monitoring (example--current) pins.  In that case, I gathered like signal or control wires from the different channels, and ran them to consecutive pins on the Arduino sensor shield.  The short gray wires going from the motor controller to the Arduino are actually two wiring harnesses.

If (when?) I do it again, I'll probably get prepinned wires from Pololu with more colors for some color coding, and make proper wiring harnesses..  The PVC jacket kept everything nice and tidy, but was a little stiff, and since I used that same cable to replace the servo wires, I may have some mobility issues in the arms later.

GroG

11 years 5 months ago

In reply to by DancesWithRobots

Does 100' for $65 seem reasonable?
I have a crimper, but its for shoe terminals - where do you get one for pins?  And where do you get the pins. I got a batch of jumpers from Dagu - seemed like a good deal - but for long or custom spans I'd like to build it to length.

http://www.surplussales.com/wire-cable/Wire1.html

 

(WHS) 8772 3
cond.
+ drain
20 ga. str / tin
0.218" O.D., gray, Belden
foil, 300v / 600vPk, Audio
sound & control cable,
twisted conductors
0.95
0.80
0.65

 

But there was a hurricane going on, and my electricity and internet were a little wonky that day.

This is the 3 conductor shielded plus drain wire I used for Houston's servo cables.  When I needed a ground, I used the uninsulated drain wire.

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/3CS22/3-CONDUCTOR-SHIEL…

These are the parts I used to pin the cables. I actually used 1x3, 1x4 and 1x1 housings--depending on the connection.

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1930

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1902

This is the crimp tool I used.  For the price it's not bad, tho I went over the crimped connections with a touch of a soldering iron.

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/CT-1/CRIMP-TOOL/1.html

Here's a better tool that would probably do a better job.

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1928

Making all those cables was an exercise in tedium. If/when I do it again, I'll probably use these prepinned cables.  They come in a variety of lengths and colors.  After laying out the cables, I've thought about ways I could better color code them, and I have a better idea what lengths to use.

http://www.pololu.com/catalog/category/66

GroG

11 years 4 months ago

And Heeeeeeerrrrreee's   Hooouuuussttoonnn......

Welcome Houstons very own Service module.
He's stronger faster, and 1000 x quicker than before.

With a single install of your bonifide Houston module - you have instant access to all the many ... many subcomponents..   All wrapped up in a convienent, slick package !

But Wait, There's More !

Jython code is reduced to just a few lines - almost anyone can type this !

from org.myrobotlab.service import Houston

 

houston = runtime.createAndStart("houston","Houston")
houston.initialize("mega2560","/dev/ttyACM0")
houston.systemTest()

 

Look at all that room to do more exciting stuff !  Like neural-nets, state machines and fuzzy logic !!!

But Wait, There's More !

 

We can add much much more !   We can add more complex methods to the Houston service.  So that the Jython becomes even more effiecient.  

Tired of moving motors one by one ?  Got the move a single servo blues ?  

 
No worries, now we can add  the handsUp() , or the rotateRight ( degrees)  method...  so you can do more fun stuff more quickly.  But at the same time, you never lose any of the low level access - e.g. servo1.moveTo(5) - still works !
 
Order yours Today !
 
Alrighty...  Its full of bugs, probably won't do anything but make a busy looking gui at the moment, but it's a start...   dang I was supposed to be working on work today... better get back to it..  have fun (download the latest "full" no update button)

DancesWithRobots

11 years 4 months ago

This is very cool.  I mean. . .VERY cool.

And while, this is directed specifically to Houston, folks should realized that Houston is basically an Arduino Mega 2560, a $25 4 channel motor controller, some drive motors and servos, webcams and and an Xtion Live Pro (Like a Kinect)  hanging off of a computer.  It's got a lot of stuff, but it's stuff that anybody can get.

Thanks GroG

GroG

11 years 4 months ago

933 - fixed dependency references for houston ...
So, you should not have to update everything - just right click on Houston and "install" ... although Houston does have quite a few :)

That's "House-ton."  The way they say it in New York City.

If you're interested in robots enough to build one, then at least at some point you were probably inspired by the likes of Robbie the Robot from Forbidden Planet.  Or Robot B9 from Lost in Space.  Or Johnny Five from Short Circuit.  Or any of a number of robots from countless movies and TV shows that traveled with, assisted and interacted with their human friends and associates.

I don't know about you, but I've always wanted a robot that could move around my home, talk to me about what's going on, and even small talk about inconsequential things.  Maybe do some simple tasks around the house--but that is definitely NOT the goal here.  After all, when you come down to it, how much did Robot B9 ACTUALLY do for Will Robinson?

Houston will be a full sized "companion robot" standing about 4 feet tall, containing an Atom 525 based single board computer, and an Arduino Mega 2560 used as an interface and controller for the motors and servos that make up the complete system.

An Xtion Pro Live will be the primary sensor.  There will also be odometry from the motorized drive, and position sensing of the 4 DOF arms.

This is a hobby level robot, definitely a learning experience for me and in spite of the lofty goals, as low budget as I could possibly make it.  So far, a fairly complete list of parts comes in at under $800.  I've been collecting parts for months, and I'm finally to the point where things can start happening.

Here's an early concept sketchup screen capture  Already outdated, but not far from what's actually been built so far.

This is a layout of Houstons electronics, motors and servos

Houston will need an Arduino service augmented with Mega capability !

 

Arduino Mega 2560 PIN mapping table

Pin Number Pin Name Mapped Pin Name
1 PG5 ( OC0B ) Digital pin 4 (PWM)
2 PE0 ( RXD0/PCINT8 ) Digital pin 0 (PWM) (RX0)
3 PE1 ( TXD0 ) Digital pin 1 (PWM) (TX0)
4 PE2 ( XCK0/AIN0 )  
5 PE3 ( OC3A/AIN1 ) Digital pin 5 (PWM)
6 PE4 ( OC3B/INT4 ) Digital pin 2 (PWM)
7 PE5 ( OC3C/INT5 ) Digital pin 3 (PWM)
8 PE6 ( T3/INT6 )  
9 PE7 ( CLKO/ICP3/INT7 )  
10 VCC VCC
11 GND GND
12 PH0 ( RXD2 ) Digital pin 17 (PWM)
13 PH1 ( TXD2 ) Digital pin 16 (PWM)
14 PH2 ( XCK2 ) (TX3)
15 PH3 ( OC4A ) Digital pin 6 (PWM)(RX3 )
16 PH4 ( OC4B ) Digital pin 7 (PWM)(TX2)
17 PH5 ( OC4C ) Digital pin 8 (PWM)(RX2 )
18 PH6 ( OC2B ) Digital pin 9 (PWM)(TX1)
19 PB0 ( SS/PCINT0 ) Digital pin 53 (PWM)(RX1)
20 PB1 ( SCK/PCINT1 ) Digital pin 52 (PWM)(SDA)
21 PB2 ( MOSI/PCINT2 ) Digital pin 51 (PWM)(SCL)
22 PB3 ( MISO/PCINT3 ) Digital pin 50
23 PB4 ( OC2A/PCINT4 ) Digital pin 10 (PWM)
24 PB5 ( OC1A/PCINT5 ) Digital pin 11 (PWM)
25 PB6 ( OC1B/PCINT6 ) Digital pin 12 (PWM)
26 PB7 ( OC0A/OC1C/PCINT7 ) Digital pin 13 (PWM)
27 PH7 ( T4 )  
28 PG3 ( TOSC2 )  
29 PG4 ( TOSC1 )  
30 RESET RESET
31 VCC VCC
32 GND GND
33 XTAL2 XTAL2
34 XTAL1 XTAL1
35 PL0 ( ICP4 ) Digital pin 49
36 PL1 ( ICP5 ) Digital pin 48
37 PL2 ( T5 ) Digital pin 47
38 PL3 ( OC5A ) Digital pin 46 (PWM)
39 PL4 ( OC5B ) Digital pin 45 (PWM)
40 PL5 ( OC5C ) Digital pin 44 (PWM)
41 PL6 Digital pin 43
42 PL7 Digital pin 42
43 PD0 ( SCL/INT0 ) Digital pin 21 (SCL)
44 PD1 ( SDA/INT1 ) Digital pin 20 (SDA)
45 PD2 ( RXDI/INT2 ) Digital pin 19
46 PD3 ( TXD1/INT3 ) Digital pin 18
47 PD4 ( ICP1 )  
48 PD5 ( XCK1 )  
49 PD6 ( T1 )  
50 PD7 ( T0 ) Digital pin 38
51 PG0 ( WR ) Digital pin 41
52 PG1 ( RD ) Digital pin 40
53 PC0 ( A8 ) Digital pin 37
54 PC1 ( A9 ) Digital pin 36
55 PC2 ( A10 ) Digital pin 35
56 PC3 ( A11 ) Digital pin 34
57 PC4 ( A12 ) Digital pin 33
58 PC5 ( A13 ) Digital pin 32
59 PC6 ( A14 ) Digital pin 31
60 PC7 ( A15 ) Digital pin 30
61 VCC VCC
62 GND GND
63 PJ0 ( RXD3/PCINT9 ) Digital pin 15
64 PJ1 ( TXD3/PCINT10 ) Digital pin 14
65 PJ2 ( XCK3/PCINT11 )  
66 PJ3 ( PCINT12 )  
67 PJ4 ( PCINT13 )  
68 PJ5 ( PCINT14 )  
69 PJ6 ( PCINT 15 )  
70 PG2 ( ALE ) Digital pin 39
71 PA7 ( AD7 ) Digital pin 29
72 PA6 ( AD6 ) Digital pin 28
73 PA5 ( AD5 ) Digital pin 27
74 PA4 ( AD4 ) Digital pin 26
75 PA3 ( AD3 ) Digital pin 25
76 PA2 ( AD2 ) Digital pin 24
77 PA1 ( AD1 ) Digital pin 23
78 PA0 ( AD0 ) Digital pin 22
79 PJ7  
80 VCC VCC
81 GND GND
82 PK7 ( ADC15/PCINT23 ) Analog pin 15
83 PK6 ( ADC14/PCINT22 ) Analog pin 14
84 PK5 ( ADC13/PCINT21 ) Analog pin 13
85 PK4 ( ADC12/PCINT20 ) Analog pin 12
86 PK3 ( ADC11/PCINT19 ) Analog pin 11
87 PK2 ( ADC10/PCINT18 ) Analog pin 10
88 PK1 ( ADC9/PCINT17 ) Analog pin 9
89 PK0 ( ADC8/PCINT16 ) Analog pin 8
90 PF7 ( ADC7/PCINT15 ) Analog pin 7
91 PF6 ( ADC6/PCINT14 ) Analog pin 6
92 PF5 ( ADC5/TMS ) Analog pin 5
93 PF4 ( ADC4/TMK ) Analog pin 4
94 PF3 ( ADC3 ) Analog pin 3
95 PF2 ( ADC2 ) Analog pin 2
96 PF1 ( ADC1 ) Analog pin 1
97 PF0 ( ADC0 ) Analog pin 0
98 AREF Analog Reference
99 GND GND
100 AVCC VCC