Re: Wheeled platform

May 03, 2004 5 Replies

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Mark Haase 22 years ago

Here's a question:

Is there a "Not-So-Grand challenge"? Ie. a challenge using RC cars that goes, say, 1000 meters over similarly challenging terrain?

My plan this summer is to start work> Hi,

> My name is Padu and I'm a software engineer and a grad student on CS. My
> main research field is computer vision and machine intelligence. >
> I'd like to start my first robotics project as a hobby. I'm inspired by the
> DARPA challenge, and not having the time neither the fundings necessary to
> build a fully autonomous vehicle, I want to build a small scale platform
> that I can test some image processing theories.

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danscott 22 years ago

SRS (seattle robotics society) I believe is hosting a mini challange event soon. Its outdoor, in the "seattle center" area, a park like setting with lots of buildings..

Iv not found much data about it.. check there web site and yahoo group.

If your in my area (Pacific NW) Id like to talk more about this, maybe issue a "personal" challange... danscottchocolatefudgecom

Thanks

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danscott 22 years ago

Check the SRS site after may 15th, the rules for the mini-challange are to be released at the club meeting on the 15th....

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Travis P 22 years ago

I recently tied an X-10 wireless camera to an RC car. Unfortunately, the range of the camera was only about 50' (in an open parking lot). The camera was also extremely low quality and got washed out quite easily. There was also a lot of bounce due to the extra weight from the batteries.

My suggestion would to do your testing with a wired camera and just drive it around the living room, with the goal being to attach a laptop (or PC104, etc) to the vehicle and do all the processing onboard.

You'll probably want something USB based rather than PCI/PCMCIA, though the quality is a bit lower than a framegrabber board. You could also look into using a still digital camera that can be remotely shuttered, though it's refresh speed would probably be too low.

Travis

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Mark 22 years ago

X10 cameras are the worse ones on the market. There are other high quality color, and B/w wireless cams at your local spy shop with ranges up to 1000' [you can get further if you have a permit]. Build a shock proof housing out of foam rubber, or RC shocks [the ones on the dirt buggies]

Mark

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The Artist Formerly Known as K 22 years ago

I'd also suggest eBay or

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As the parent mentions, avoid X10 -- they're about the worst cameras you can get. Yu can actually pay less and get a much better camera.

I've had better luck with some of the chinese dealers on ebay (they charge a buck for the cam and 25.00 S/H), although these vendors can be a mixed bag.

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