Forum - Recent Threads

Trying to read dip switches with microchip pic, can not compile firmware. Mplab X on Linux.

madthescientist — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:36:54 GMT

I am doing my first robot with a Pic microcontroller.

It has a dip switich in the PCB wich has to be read at startup to change it's behaviour.

i had connect each swicht into a pic's pin. In the code, i had #defined each pin as rb(x).

Now, i wish to, at startup, had them read and set 3 different "int = x" variables" wich the void main () has to read and proceed in consequence. I tried to use "scanf (%d, switch1) and so on, yet whenever

i try to compile it and mmlab's xc8 tells me "scanf" and "printf" are not supported. I had install other compilers from Microchip, yet i have the same results.

I have a basic understanding of C language, yet i don't know how can i read 3 switches and set 3 variables, i would like to ask if someone could help me with this.

Just let me thank you for your attention.

Micromouse Competition

feiticeir0 — Thu, 25 May 2023 07:54:59 GMT

Hi all .

Yesterday I've watched the following video:

www.youtube.com/watch

and i'm amazed by those tiny tiny robots.

Since I'm not a electronics engineer I was wondering if any of you here ever had any experience with that or saw a competition live .

I'm really - just curiosity - wondering how are they programmed. What components goes into making one of these.

From seeing the video I know that they first have a go to learn the maze and on each try, they go faster and faster . I'm amazed and really wondering - programming wise - how ? 🙂

Thank you

Robots and Circuit Cities - Fun Photos

shabaz — Sat, 21 Jan 2023 02:48:54 GMT

I came across a set of photos on my camera card - these were taken quite a few years ago (pre-pandemic) at some exhibition (maybe at Excel London but I can't recall).

Anyway, these were the fun photos. I figured I'd stick them here in case anyone like looking at such tech photos too : )

Nice-looking wheeled chassis. I think someone sat on it, it was sturdy enough for that.

More interesting view of it:

Motor driver:

No idea what's going on here (EDIT: it might be related to the city further below..):

This was very neat. From memory, I believe it was a car-in-a-box, i.e. a vehicle simulator, and you could connect to the onboard-diagnostic port, and pretend you were really connected to a real car for the purposes of developing vehicle-interfaced systems. Excellent test tool. There's a VMware logo so I guess it was related to their offerings somehow.

Another view of it:

This is quite a popular robot.I can't recall any detail about it.

Various limbs detail for that robot. I think that's a Maxon motor barely visible at the elbow:

Look like pneumatic valves:

More detail:

A circuit city!

DRAM towers:

Even bits of Mac Minis' (maybe?) were part of the city (well, the wastelands anyway):

I need a programming code for your PICAM 2 color tracking video.

maleemsajjad — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:18:20 GMT

I'm working on a project where I have to track object for taking images. kindly share your program of this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljNE1D995Wo
I shall be very thankful to you for this.
Here is my email ID: aleemsajjad81@gmail.com

ALTAIR EZ:1 specification

toymaker — Mon, 10 May 2021 17:25:27 GMT

For those who may be interested, Here is ALTAIR EZ:1 specification - the EZ;1 has 22 PIC sub-processors mostly in my Smart Servos

I have been coding PIC's since 1995 (Yikes! JW devices), but right now I am getting into Arduino's.

Little Dewey (Drone:1) from the Silent Running movie

toymaker — Fri, 07 May 2021 07:27:52 GMT

I have been a Roboticist for many years and I am also a SciFi nerd! One of my favorite SciFi films is the 1972 movie Silent Running starring Bruce Dern. The movies robots were awesome so I had to build one!

My ALTAIR Robots

toymaker — Wed, 05 May 2021 06:29:49 GMT

Just found this great group! I have been designing/building robots for over 40 years. Here are my ALTAIR Robots - EZ:1 and EZ:2

Tony

Digital Dream Labs to bring Cozmo and Vector back on line

jomoenginer — Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:41:45 GMT

So, apparently Digital Dream Labs (DDL), the edutainment company that acquired Anki's IP, is planning to revive the Cozmo, Vector and Overdrive platforms and bring them back to retail stores. Also, it looks like they are planning to open-source Vector so users have more freedom with regards to how to program it. However, the Vector platform will move it's robot subscription model to a one-year membership fee of $7 US month, or $47 US a year if paid at one time. The subscription adds Firmware Updates as well as "Hey Vector" Voice Commands. Without a membership, they still provide an SDK, Cube Interactions / Games, "Alexa" Voice Commands and Autonomous Behavior.

There are some nice upgrades to Cozmo as well which will be programmed using DDL's Code Lab app.

Robot Costs:

Vector - $299.99 US

Cozmo - $219.99 US

The Robot Report Article:

https://www.therobotreport.com/digital-dream-labs-relauch-cozmo-vector-robots/

DDL's State of Robotics Webinar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNopeTb8qvU&t=9s

Robots Motor

rajkiransingh — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 03:32:26 GMT

I have designed a bot in which motors are used at different distance.

Controlling part of the motors are kept one side and rest of the 15 motor are connected parallel to each other.

The gaps between the each motors is 60 cm like wise there are 15 motors connected.

Now the problem is the first few motors are rotating at same speed and gradually the next motors are rotating at very slow speed compared to the first motor.

Now please guide me how to over come this. I think there is a drop in voltage as the length is increased. How to distribute the equal voltage irrespective of length of the wire.

Approximate length of wire is 8 meters to 10 meters long.

Degree of climbing

rajkiransingh — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 06:25:34 GMT

Am designing a bot , basically which will be moving on the smooth surface (as glass).

The total weight of the bot is around 7kg to 9 kg.

Am i wana use 2 motors.

Climbing angle 0 to 40 degree

Please let me know about which type of motor is should use, what should be the torque, speed etc.,

Please guide me if you have got better solutions

ESD

rajkiransingh — Sat, 20 Jun 2020 04:34:10 GMT

Hi ,

I have developed a robotic modle in that I am facing couple of problems one is with ESD.

The robotic car consists of 4 drive wheels. When it moves for some distance after that when I touch that robot it gives shock. I think it should be electrostatic.

Can you help how to over come this.

robotic contest Istrobot in Bratislava on April 25th, 2020

bernhardmayer — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 14:21:10 GMT

Hi.

I just wanted to inform you that one of the first robotic contests this year has been anounced:

Istrobot takes place in Bratislava on April 25th, 2020

:: ISTROBOT 2019 ::

The contest has different categories, some outdoors, most indoors. some with simple robots, ome with complex robots.

I have participated at the contest several times in the past years.

This year I think of starting in the "There and Back Again" categorie with a robot based on the JECCBot mini ( Open Source Outdoor Robot platform JECCbot mini ).

Bernhard

how do you connect things to the screen sorry im new and ima talking about just the screen and the little black and white tid bit

tamagotchiwires — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 14:05:51 GMT

i took apart some stuff like calculators and i would like to know ho to put them to use

Shhh now, sleep time little doggo

cstanton — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 12:39:05 GMT

Human detection

jean232 — Wed, 22 May 2019 17:38:11 GMT

What infrared sensor should I take to be able to detect a person even when motionless? I need the sensor to have 3 paste to be able to connect it to a microcontroler to make a servo. I am a student. thank you for your reply

Anki, the maker of Cozmo, Vector and Overdrive closing down

jomoenginer — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 05:44:15 GMT

This seems like a common theme lately but another one Bots the Dust.

Anki, the maker of the cute little Cozmo and Vector as well as the Overdrive series of cars is shutting down on May 1st. Apparently they were not able to secure a new round of funding and have to shut the doors on their production.

This Article and Video from Kinvert and link to Gizmodo has a bit more info. The video from Kinvert does describe how the development community can assist to keep those little Cozmo's and Vector's running.

Gizmodo

https://gizmodo.com/anki-maker-of-adorable-robots-that-dont-do-all-that-mu-1834403258

Kinvert

https://www.kinvert.com/anki-robotics-company-shutting-down/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXfYV9ciT3Q

So sad.

Arduino Powered Vex EDR Build

camwess — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 20:02:34 GMT

I have been working on building a robot that will be powered and controlled by the Arduino/Sparkfun Redboard, and I have been having trouble finding a way to control the Vex EDR motors. I would like to use the Vex motor controller cable, but I don’t know a good way to control it with the Arduino. If anybody knows anything on the subject, please share.

Thanks!

Any Matlab Help or Professionals? #HELPaNOOB

the_future — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 14:38:59 GMT

please helppp!!!!

just brought one of many new engineering books and the one I started is on Matlab

for robotics and the toolbox but need help with the questions.

here are the questions

This will be based on a series of experiments with the Lynxmotion1 robot arm.

Derive a DH representation of forward kinematics for the Lynxmotion arm.

Analyse the workspace of the robot’s end-effector when each preceding joint moves through its range of motion and plot its 2D views.

Derive the inverse kinematics for the Lynxmotion arm using the Robotic Toolbox in MATLAB. Test a IK model in 3 different Cartesian positions and demonstrate the accuracy of your model (include necessary comparisons). Create the appropriate plots.

Plan a task* in MATLAB with at least 5 positions, plot the robot and show an investingation. This process should give you 5 sets of Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z) and angles yaw, pitch, roll specifying the end-effector position and orientation in 3D space (Task: is to pick up a small ball and put it in a cup).

Solve the Inverse Kinematics for these positions in 3D space and obtain sets of Joint Parameters. Create an appropriate plot/animation in MATLAB (use Robotic Toolbox) for the motion of the robot. MOVE THE ROBOT between the points (film the motion of the robot and provide the video).

Use a set of Lynxmotion arm joint values to create a free motion trajectory between the points

Implement a velocity profile with at least 3 different velocities (e.g. start, intermediate and end velocities) (MATLAB only)

Do a full FK Lynxmotion arm and explain how you can derive the closed-form IK model

Is it worth it for a LEGO Mindstorms kit?

apaxhez — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 00:31:11 GMT

I just recently got out of a summer lego robotics camp and have found robotics to be very fun. I was wondering, are there any other and/or better options for robotic kits out there other than lego mindstorms that are also worth the most for the price?

Mayfield Robotics shuts down Kuri production

jomoenginer — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 07:19:13 GMT

A sad event in the Robotic arena, Mayfield Robotics, the company that brought to life the adorable bot Kuri, is halting production of Kuri and will not ship the remaining bots to customers. I thought things were going well for the company since they were looking to hire more folks, so this announcement seemed a bit surprising.

Hopefully they can restructure and bring Kuri back in one form or another.

https://www.heykuri.com/blog/important_difficult_announcement/

Asaapppppp

silentknight14th — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 23:07:32 GMT

I have been searching a lot for some sensor

I was inspired by the radar which marines used and those sea mark that appears on their radar.

I was going to place it in land, but buying a marine radar would cost so much, and i want to find an alternative a much cheaper one.

Which can cover large distance, do you have a suggestion for me? Thank you.

Pleaseee A.S.A.P

silentknight14th — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 09:38:43 GMT

I am making a study on robotics that uses a radar.

but I don't know;

what type of sensor is used in making radars?
like radar on a ship.

Can a radar like that map a certain area? or it needs an overlaying of an electronic chart or map?

thank you, please helpppppppp meeeeeeeeeee...

Looking for a 360 degree sensor

12buckleo — Sat, 26 May 2018 11:06:37 GMT

Hey there, I am looking for a sensor which can detect angles, and can be rotated multiple times. I need it to be able to go around in a full circle any number of times.

I have looked at rotary encoders and I don't think this will work for me because they require a "homing" to be able to get an actual angle out of them and I don't want to have to implement this.

I think the term I am looking for is an "absolute" encoder but I can't seem to find anything.

Best description I can come up with is that I want a 360 degree potentiometer which can go around many times.

Thanks

National Robotics Week, April 7-15 2018

jomoenginer — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 15:30:39 GMT

Next week, April 7-15 2018, is National Robotics Week which was created to help create awareness of the importance that Robotics has on our every day life. Robots are being designed to help construction, agriculture, manufacturing as well as assist those who need a physical helping hand or just a friendly companion.

https://www.nationalroboticsweek.org/

There are many events throughout the U.S. to celebrate Robotics during April 7-15 so you might want to check out the schedule of events for something close to you.

http://www.nationalroboticsweek.org/Events

Parallax which is close to me has a weeks worth of challenges to celebrate Robotics Week.

https://www.parallax.com/news/2018-04-02/celebrate-national-robotics-week-5-robot-challenges

Also, element14 has a Project14 contest , Robots with Wheels, currently underway that is geared toward Robotics so this might be a good time to get involved or just show your Bot Build.

https://www.element14.com/community/community/project14/robots-with-wheels

So, go get your Bot On!

Lidar Lite v3 Irratic Measurement

brucewilsonph@yahoo.com.ph — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 18:37:24 GMT

Hello Everyone!

I have a Garmin Lidar Lite v3.

There is an obstacle at 24" in from of the Lidar. About one percent of the time, the Lidar will give a measurement of about 14" or about 9".

What could possibly be happening?

Bruce