Android + Arduino

[i-Bot offline]

PedroR mentioned the IOIO board for adding IO connectivity to Android here:
http://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6741

Things now seem to have moved on in Google and this has gained momentum:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/usb/adk.html

I have used the Arduino host shield before and especially when used with an Arduino Mega is a powerful platform.
http://www.circuitsathome.com/mcu/programming/android_adk_compatible_usb_host_library_release

Also the VINCO from FTDI looks likely alternative. Lower cost, but needs a dongle to program, and is not software compatible with Arduino.

I am not yet into Android. What is a good low cost Android device for a humanoid robot, given the version requirements of the ADK ?

[Gort offline]

Low cost way to do it!!!

http://romfont.com/2011/05/12/google%E2 ... -hardware/

[PedroR]

Hi iBot

The appeal of IOIO for most people is that Android gives you a neat user interface.

However for Robotics it is discussible how important the UI is.

The IGEP for example is priced sensibly and can run Android (see the IGEP wiki http://labs.igep.es/index.php/Main_Page ).
The annoying bit with using IGEP is that you have all these issue to power the board in HOST mode: you need a basic breakout to feed a Regulated 4.2V into the little connectors on the bottom.
(we've fiddled with the solution on their Wiki to remove a resistor and power the board via the USB connector - here http://labs.igep.es/index.php/IGEP_module_standalone - but we haven't been able to get it working quite as advertised... maybe our mistake but nevertheless please be aware).

The upside for IGEP is the small form factor.

A proper Android phone has all these power issue sorted out a screen for status output and control but it's heavier...
Carriers often have good deals on Android phones, especially the ones from Chinese manufacturers that get rebranded with the carriers name (Huwawei, ZTC etc).
They're cheap and fairly decent.

Regards
Pedro.

[i-Bot offline]

Hi Pedro,
I was not thinking IGEP here. These are an open source and low cost alternative to IOIO, so I was looking for a phone.

The ADK seems to need at least Android 2.3.4 and I don't know which low cost and light phones have that.

Also on the IGEP if you run Android then you can use these solutions because then the Android device USB port runs in device mode. It is the other end using host mode.

[PedroR]

Ah I see what you mean.

I also saw yourquestion about 921.6K baud on wCK servoswhich i think is also part of your project. I remember this was dicussed with Robobuilder in 2008 and I'm searching for the email to try to see if there's some useful information for your as well. I'll get back to you on that thread.

[PedroR]

FYI we'll be receiving a few IOIO interface boards for Android next week. They're available here http://robosavvy.com/store/product_info ... ts_id=1654

They were out of stock on Sparkfun for quite a long time but we finally managed to get our hands on a few!

They'll be in stock and ready to ship next week.

An very nice Introductory guide for IOIO is available here http://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/280

Regards
Pedro.

[antoine offline]

IOIO is pretty expensive. If you have bluetooth shield, you can use ArduinoCommander app to control arduino board - https://market.android.com/details?id=n ... ocommander