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Build idea: Mars Rover

Former Member

Hi, I am new here. Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place.

 

I have an idea for something you can build for the Ben Heck Show.

A Mars Rover.

Something similar to this little guy:

 

http://turbo.paulstamatiou.com/uploads/2008/06/wall-e.jpg

 

The idea is to make it remote controlled through the cellular network, perhaps with Arduino and a mobile broadband USB stick.

You can sit at home with your laptop and control it with a joystick or arrow keys, and watch the landscape on your monitor through a built in webcam.

The possibilities are endless, provided enough battery power.

The rover will work in all areas where you have a decent 3G signal from your telephone provider.

You don´t have to send it to Mars, it will work fine in your own back yard or across town.

Built-in microphone and loud speaker allows you to communicate with passers-by.

 

I always wanted one of these, but I am not smart enough to build it. I hope you can do it. It would be a very interesting show!

 

EDIT: Found an image host that accepts hotlinking.

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  • Not sure if I have a radio transmitter strong enough!

  • in reply to benheck

    Thank you for answering :-)

     

    But I think you misunderstand.

    The "Mars rover" would not need any specialized radio equipment.

    It would have ordinary wireless internet using one of those Mobile Internet USB Sticks.

    One of these connected to the Arduino board:

     

    http://mobiledevdesign.com/site-files/mobiledevdesign.com/files/archive/mobiledevdesign.com/hardware_design/att-usb-connect-lightening.jpg

    That way the rover always has Internet access, and is controlled by you using the Internet.

     

    It would drive around in your neighborhood, or anywhere in the world, as long as there is a  mobile internet connection.

    It does not actually go to another planet, but it would look a lot like Spirit/Opportunity, driving around in the street or the park.

    The Rover could take the dog for a walk or deliver pizza (that would probably be cold upon arrival, but that´s not the point.)

     

    You control it from anywhere in the world, using your laptop. The laptop is also using the Internet.

    The Rover could have a web-interface, so you can control everything in the browser, almost like a online Flash-game.

    Just type the Rover´s IP address in your browser, and the user interface comes up like a website. The web server being the Arduino, or perhaps Raspberry Pi.

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  • in reply to benheck

    Thank you for answering :-)

     

    But I think you misunderstand.

    The "Mars rover" would not need any specialized radio equipment.

    It would have ordinary wireless internet using one of those Mobile Internet USB Sticks.

    One of these connected to the Arduino board:

     

    http://mobiledevdesign.com/site-files/mobiledevdesign.com/files/archive/mobiledevdesign.com/hardware_design/att-usb-connect-lightening.jpg

    That way the rover always has Internet access, and is controlled by you using the Internet.

     

    It would drive around in your neighborhood, or anywhere in the world, as long as there is a  mobile internet connection.

    It does not actually go to another planet, but it would look a lot like Spirit/Opportunity, driving around in the street or the park.

    The Rover could take the dog for a walk or deliver pizza (that would probably be cold upon arrival, but that´s not the point.)

     

    You control it from anywhere in the world, using your laptop. The laptop is also using the Internet.

    The Rover could have a web-interface, so you can control everything in the browser, almost like a online Flash-game.

    Just type the Rover´s IP address in your browser, and the user interface comes up like a website. The web server being the Arduino, or perhaps Raspberry Pi.

Children
  • in reply to Former Member

    You aren't going to take one of those usb hotspot sticks and plug it into an Arduino because the Arduino is not a computer, it is a microcontroller.  Your best bet is to either find a compatible mobile modem that can interface, I've seen plenty for SMS, but haven't seen much for data, or use a computer as the mainboard and possibly a microcontroller if you want time sensitive tasks, have analog data, etc.  So probably look into any of those USB sticks that are Linux compatible and use something like the Pi or a Beaglebone.

  • in reply to colecago

    Also, you coud possibly get one that is a router and has ethernet or wifi and try to interface it that way using a shield on the Arduino.

     

    Trying to get an Arduino to interface with a USB device that has custom closed source drivers is not an easy task.  You basically have to reverse engineer the driver and redo it for the Arduino.

  • in reply to Former Member

    Robots are cool, I should build one eventually.

     

    For me it would need a purpose, like a Roomba. Or to fetch me drinks or components.