Well this was fun. Ingredients:
- Makeblock Bluetooth module
To execute instructions from smartphone. - LG Optimus Dynamic
Strapped on robot for sensors. WiFi to talk with Mission Control. Bluetooth to control robot. - Tornado server
Runs on PC. Connects to phone via SL4A. Talks with web UI using websockets. - Websockets
To stream sensor data from phone to web UI. Also relays commands from web UI to robot. - Web UI
Basic webpage with Javascript to handle keyboard events and draw things - D3.js
For rendering the accelerometer G-meter (not shown in video) - HTML Canvas
I just used a 2-D grid and rectangles (fillRect) to draw the robot’s snail trail. - Physics
v = d/t; d = v*t
Estimate distance traveled by robot using motor “velocity” and time. - Ye Olde Trigonometry
To convert bearing + distance traveled to x-y position in room.
You know, this could make a good school project. Lots of applied basic science, math and programming.
I promise to put up details and code in a later post 🙂
(If I forget, please email aaron@secretsciencelab.com and I’ll share everything with you.)
First thing that came in my mind, to build a different robot with the parts from the starter kit, was a 2 wheeled balancing robot. Ok I would need an IMU sensor as an extra part, but hopefully nothing more. Don’t know if it work without encoders.
That would be fun. I think it could work without encoders. Are you excited about the BB-8 robot they used for Star Wars – the Force Awakens?