RoboSavvy Forum

Re: Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2015-07-31T19:41:42+01:00

For anyone interested in using a Raspberry Pi with robobuilder - see this post:

viewtopic.php?p=43579#43579

Statistics: Posted by l3v3rz — Fri Jul 31, 2015 7:41 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2013-05-23T13:33:58+01:00

Hi

The 1m tall humanoid continues to eat a lot of our R&D time, but this is a project we will definitely get back to later on so tks for the tip.

Regards

Statistics: Posted by MarcoP — Thu May 23, 2013 1:33 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2013-05-23T13:15:24+01:00

This looks very interesting:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sparkdevices/spark-core-wi-fi-for-everything-arduino-compatible

Statistics: Posted by chriscc — Thu May 23, 2013 1:15 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-11-27T17:55:24+01:00

the plan at the moment is to port the work from Omnima to the Chinese Android stick (Allwinner A10, costs ~$50). It is tricky because it is a different linux distro and it eats up more power and produces more heat. all of these are addressable except that we are R&D time deprived. Currently spending most of our R&D efforts on a 1m humanoid robot ([ur=http://robosavvy.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=26l]see here[/url]). After the end-of-year holiday season we will have more time to launch this product.

Statistics: Posted by limor — Tue Nov 27, 2012 5:55 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-11-26T11:55:04+01:00

Hi Chris

Due to the appearance of similarly priced alternatives with much more processing power we have decided put this product on hold.

The main reason is the appearance of Raspberry PI: in terms of BOM an Omnima (with all the required additional hardware) comes close a Raspberry PI.

Regards
Pedro

Statistics: Posted by PedroR — Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:55 am

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-11-21T21:02:26+01:00

Hi Pedro and all,

Did this project end up becoming a product?

Regards,
chriscc

Statistics: Posted by chriscc — Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:02 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-02-29T19:50:48+01:00

Thanks Pedro. I'll go ahead an order my Robobuilder now. Be sure to let us know when this is available. If you need a beta tester...

Statistics: Posted by chriscc — Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:50 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-03-01T15:27:49+01:00

Hi criscc

It's always great to see customers interested in our projects.

To answer your questions:

"We will probably offer the option of color, or even transparent plastic to the customer."

We have finalized the design of the backpack and it will be 3D Printed on one of our Makerbot 3D Printers.
We will probably settle on an initial color of plastic (not yet decided) but it _may_ be possible that we will offer additional colours for the case in the future.

Will this be a product?
yes, this is being designed to be released as a product. Right now all of the hardware work is done and what's left to do is port sample code to RoboRealm.

What would be included?
The plan is to offer a complete Backpack replacement/upgrade for Robobuilders.

This will include the plastic casing, the Omnima MiniEMBWiFi, a 5V regulator for the Omnima that connects to a wCK bus port (to draw power from the wCK bus), the Robobuilder RBC main board and the Webcam.
A new battery pack with extended cable will also be included so that it can be fitted into the Metal chest.

Because some soldering and custom work is required it is likely that this will be sold as a complete package to replace the stock backpack.

When would it be offered?
The timeframe has not been established as our resources are currently stretched out to the maximum with a number of time sensitive projects for external customers.
We expect the projects to be finalized by mid April so a realist release date would be sometime in May.

Will this be as expensive as the Robobuilder itself?
We haven't calculated the final pricing yet but it will certainly be a fraction of the cost of a Robobuilder.

You can get an idea of pricing by adding the cost of an RBC controller (purchased stand alone), an Omnima board (both items can be purchased from our online store) and the cost of an OEM UVC webcam plus some overhead for the regulators and casing.

Depending on what the final cost comes to, in addition to the "Complete BackPack" we may also offer a "hackers" edition where users get all the extra components but re use their RBC controller (where they "build" the modified backpack themselves) to offer a lower cost.

This is still not yet decided though.

Regards
Pedro.

Statistics: Posted by PedroR — Wed Feb 29, 2012 5:42 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-02-29T16:12:54+01:00

Hi everyone. This is very exciting work. I hope it continues to fruition.

MarcoP, you said "We will probably offer the option of color, or even transparent plastic to the customer."

Can you please explain? Will this be a product? What would be included? When would it be offered? Will this be as expensive as the Robobuilder itself? Where can I buy it? I'm not looking for precise answers; I'm just trying to get a feel for what to expect. I am very close to purchasing a "RoboBuilder 5710K Red Edition Plus w/ Full Sensor pack + Bluetooth [RB-5710KREDplus]", but the availability of your project for sale would greatly impact my decision.

It doesn't look like there are many humanoids with embedded computer+Wifi+webcam available commercially without doing more custom work than I have time to do right now, or without spending far more than I want to spend.

Very exciting work.

Statistics: Posted by chriscc — Wed Feb 29, 2012 4:12 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-02-13T23:56:39+01:00

Srry.

You are correct. I edited the post to avoid inducing anyone else in error.
The orange wire connects to pin 4 in Omnina, so it is RX.

That's what i get for posting without the manual (in the middle of a move here).

Regards

Statistics: Posted by MarcoP — Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:56 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-02-14T00:06:33+01:00

Here's a link to http://www.sena.com/download/datasheet/ ... ni_esd.pdf

Also I think I can connect directly to wckBus and see I/O. Do you see the same ?

cheers

Statistics: Posted by l3v3rz — Mon Feb 13, 2012 11:37 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-02-13T23:52:31+01:00

Hi

Just a quick update.

This is how we connect the serial to the bluetooth header. (Orange is RX)
Ground is not connected because the omnima and RBC already have a commom ground via the dc-dc converter, but you can connect it just to be on the safe side.

Regards

Marco

edit: had wrong pinout

Statistics: Posted by MarcoP — Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:36 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-02-06T18:59:05+01:00

Hi

Getting back on this.

(Don't mind the array of extra wires)

I'm doing simple blob tracking. For now just turning side to side to keep object in sight.
Will post a video later.

As a curiosity to those who might not know this: issuing commands on the serial port can override currently running motions. For example if you use the remote to turn, and press stop during turn the motion continues, but if you issue the same commands in serial port it stops mid motion.

Regards

Marco

Statistics: Posted by MarcoP — Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:59 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-01-31T12:52:45+01:00

Hi

So here are the updates:

The dc converter soldered to the wCK cable. Still need to get right angle dc connector to improve clearances.
Each wCK cable is cut in half to yield two power cables.

Despite not being used, the 2 data wires are left on since people normally pull on the cable to get it out, so this way it is more resilient.

The black backpack. Notice there is a small tab in the lower right to clinch the power cable to provide strain relief.

We will probably offer the option of color, or even transparent plastic to the customer.

This black one almost seems factory made.

Regards

Statistics: Posted by MarcoP — Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:52 pm

Robobuilder Linuxified - adding an embedded linux board

2012-01-27T17:21:46+01:00

Tks for the tip i-Bot

Actually we were more concerned with the arm colliding with the antenna if it is turned all the way around, but based on your suggestion we found this antenna, that should solve both problems.

ParanoidAndroid, the webcam can be found here:http://uk.shopping.com/Hama-Hama-Pocket-Webcam/info .
The image shown in the post is a bit blurry because we didn't refocus the camera after installation.

The focus ring is not accessible when the camera is assembled, but it can be accessed when it is disassembled, which is great to refocus the camera to a closer or longer range depending on the intended application.

Regards

Statistics: Posted by MarcoP — Fri Jan 27, 2012 5:21 pm