Geeky Dalek Project

19 May 2017

My geeky idea is a Dalek with object recognition and different behaviors based on what it sees. I have recently acquired two 12'' rc daleks, one functioning and one for spares, and the motor section is actually well built. I will use a RPI3 for the image recognition and an Arduino for the movement and obstacle avoidance, so as not to encumber the RPI too much. Trying to find a viable way to turn an optical mouse into an odometer for motion tracking. Any tips VERY welcome.

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balearicdynamics over 8 years ago

Hello Ian,

Why do you plan to use an Arduino too? Is not sufficient just the PI ?

Enrico
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lahey over 8 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics

Ciao Enrico,

The imaging and object recognition will already use up a lot of processor time for the PI, and the camera and head servos will drain a lot of power. I decided to set up an Arduino so it will take care of elementary room mapping and movement. When the Dalek wants to move, it will simply tell the Arduino "go there" and the semi-autonomous motors system will do the rest.
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lahey over 8 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics

Ciao Enrico,

The imaging and object recognition will already use up a lot of processor time for the PI, and the camera and head servos will drain a lot of power. I decided to set up an Arduino so it will take care of elementary room mapping and movement. When the Dalek wants to move, it will simply tell the Arduino "go there" and the semi-autonomous motors system will do the rest.
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balearicdynamics over 8 years ago in reply to lahey

Hello Ian,

Have you done tests on this aspects? I am curious about this; I can agree about the power drain (but Arduino means adding another board that will consume power too) but I am not so sure that the PI has not sufficient processor power to manage the entire system.

BTW, in the case you decide to adopt this solution I suggest you orient your choice not to a bare Arduino but take a look to the CHIPKIT PI - CHIPKIT - Development Board, PIC32 Microcontroller, Raspberry Pi & Arduino Compatible, Audio Processing |… I have used it intensively and it is faster than Arduino, low power consuming, fits (and communicate) easily with the PI and a lot of other advantages.

Enrico
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beacon_dave over 8 years ago in reply to balearicdynamics
If sticking with the Arduino / Atmel AVR solution then there are the picoPower modes of operation which appear to be able to significantly reduce power consumption in certain situations as demonstrated here:
- AVR4013: picoPower Basics
http://www.atmel.com/Images/doc8349.pdf
- Atmel - picoPower Labs - Basic power-saving techniques (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGtYKFhLxPg
- Getting Started with AVR: Making Our Simple App Low Power (#6) (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvGHw6jSlLM&index=6&list=PLtQdQmNK_0DRhBWYZ32BEILOykXLpJ8tP
- Getting Started with AVR: picoPower and Putting an Application to Sleep (#28) (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaamYW3I72E&index=28&list=PLtQdQmNK_0DRhBWYZ32BEILOykXLpJ8tP

Not sure how this power saving compares to the likes of the Chipkit PI solution however.
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balearicdynamics over 8 years ago in reply to beacon_dave

A good starting point for information on power and other advantages of using the ChipKit PI can be found in the following links:

chipKIT Pi Dev Board by element14 - TCHIP020 | Microchip Technology Inc.
Power saving mode on the chipKIT - chipKIT.net

Enrico
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