[ale] semi [OT] running a robot with linux

[Ron Frazier]

Hi Jim.  That Teensy++ product sounds pretty neat.  I don't have an
immediate need for it.  However, I'm saving the reference in case I get
into a microcontroller type project that might work with it.  Thanks for
the info.

Sincerely,

Ron

On Fri, 2011-01-21 at 13:39 -0500, Jim Lynch wrote:
> On 01/21/2011 12:25 PM, Ron Frazier wrote:
> > Charles,
> >
> > I had to have some reason for putting this message on this list.
> > Besides, since I'm planning to learn C++ anyway, I thought I'd make it
> > do double duty.
> >
> > OK, think mars rover, but here on Earth.  Something that can go out into
> > the desert on it's own and collect environmental data or do
> > reconnaissance for the military,etc., follow a course, and return home.
> > Something that has built in networking capability (OK, maybe in the
> > desert but with 3g wireless, or possibly via satellite).  Something that
> > has enough storage to capture and store photos or videos along with
> > sensor readings.  Something where the program won't fit into a 16K ROM
> > chip.  Yes, power and weight are critical, but an android phone,
> > particularly with the screen off, isn't particularly heavy nor power
> > hungry.
> >
> > Now, I do understand that you wouldn't necessarily want to put a 2000 HP
> > engine in a Chevette, so power has its place.  I'm sitting here looking
> > at an automated battery charger which has some kind of microcontroller
> > in it, which probably cost $1.  So, a computer would be overkill.
> > However, I am fascinated by the idea of more capable, more powerful
> > robots.
> >
> > Maybe I'll see you at their meeting.  I think they're discussing 3d
> > printing.  If you like, you can write me off list and we can discuss
> > circuit design ideas.  Many years ago, I got an EET degree.  I haven't
> > had a chance to try any of that out in terms of Robotics.  I do have a
> > prototype board for a Propeller 8 core microcontroller from
> > http://www.parallax.com/ .  Haven't had a chance to do anything with it
> > yet.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > Ron
> >
> > On Fri, 2011-01-21 at 11:32 -0500, Charles Shapiro wrote:
> >> Gee whiz, I'd think a lotta processor power is overkill for most
> >> 'bots.  My 3d printer is capable of quite complex behaviors on a
> >> couple of Arduino ( http://www.arduino.cc/ ) boards loaded with simple
> >> software in ROM.   The trouble with those kewl speedy processors is
> >> that they tend to want more power and support circuitry.  If all
> >> you're doing with that stuff is processing more LOC (Lines of Code),
> >> what's the point of inviting all that extra design and debugging pain
> >> into it?   Especially if you're talking a moving robot, power and
> >> weight become critical, yes?
> >>
> >> I've also been thinking about robots recently, 'specially now I've got
> >> a device that'll make, like, motor mounts in any shape I want. But I'm
> >> leaning toward simple software and interesting hardware 'stead of
> >> something as relatively heavy as linux / C++. Seems like a simple fast
> >> scheduler and some routines are all you really need here, 'stead of
> >> all that multi-user control, file system interface, cron(8) and other
> >> hoo-hah.  Heck, if it were 20 years ago I'd be talking FORTH.  Maybe
> >> that's still a good way to go.
> >>
> >> Hey, I'm thinkin' about making my first visit to AHRC this month.
> >> Maybe we can argue about this there?
> >>
> >> -- CHS
> >>
> >>
> >> On Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at 10:49 AM, Ron Frazier
> >> <atllinuxenthinfo at c3energy.com>  wrote:
> >>> One of my interests, other than Linux, is robotics (actual moving
> >>> machines, not computer bots).  I sometimes visit the Atlanta Hobby Robot
> >>> Club ( http://botlanta.org/ ).  My ultimate goal is to build a moving
> >>> robot which is run with a Linux based platform for a brain, and probably
> >>> programmed in C++, which I'm starting to learn.  I think it would be
> >>> really cool to run a robot using an Android phone or tablet, or possibly
> >>> one of those little embedded computers.  However, I think the embedded
> >>> computer market is behind because a phone or tablet has much more
> >>> computer power, memory, built in screen, wireless, network interface,
> >>> usb, etc.  I specifically want to use C++, rather than C, where
> >>> functions exist to do a task in both languages.  Lots of embedded
> >>> computers can be programmed in C, but not C++.  I also want the robot to
> >>> be able to do more complex tasks than just following a line, etc.
> >>> That's why I'm leaning toward a more sophisticated controller.  I'd
> >>> appreciate any pointers toward resources for this type of project.
> >>>
> >>> Sincerely,
> >>>
> >>> Ron
> >
> I've been using the Teensy++( http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensypp.html ) 
> for a project.   At $24 it's reasonable to try and if it doesn't work, 
> you haven't wasted much money.  I've cut a PC board with the Teensy++ 
> and the WIZ812MJ Ethernet module 
> (http://www.saelig.com/product/ETH042.htm, $19.50) to give me a ethernet 
> connected device with 130K of flash (program) memory, 8K of RAM and 4K 
> of EEPROM.  Believe me you can do a lot with that much memory.  It uses 
> the Arduino development package and is extremely easy to use.  The 
> Arduino development platform is by far the most user friendly one I've 
> come across.  It's easy to run on Linux since the IDE is written in Java.
> 
> It uses the avr-gcc compiler which isn't 100% C++ but it has a lot of 
> the features.  Here's some sample code from one of the libraries.
> 
> class Matrix
> {
>    private:
>      uint8_t _pinData;
>      uint8_t _pinClock;
>      uint8_t _pinLoad;
> 
> There's a lot of software written for the Arduino platform that is 
> tailored to interfacing to the outside world.  Since you are an EET, 
> you'll not have any problem building the electronics to interface to 
> most anything.
> 
> The Teensy++ has 46 I/O pings 8 10 bit A/D channels, 9 PWD outputs  a 
> UART, an I2C and an SPI port.
> 
> For instance there are motor control libraries, servo libraries, 
> ethernet libraries, A/D and D/A libraries, etc.
> 
> Besides, it's fun to watch an led blink and know you're the one that 
> made it happen.  :)
> 
> Jim.

-- 

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
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Ron Frazier

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