How to build a WiFi robot

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andrewarcher
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Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2009 9:11 am
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How to build a WiFi robot

Post by andrewarcher »

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Today we will be showing you how to build a WiFi Robot / Spybot from scratch. It is a very straight forward project that can be completed by an intermediate robot builder. Plan on taking a few hours of your time to complete this project.

Items Needed:
1 Rc Car (new or used -- choose one that could easily have an Rc servo fit in the steering system. We found our Rc car at Radio Shack)

1 Barracuda WiFi Robot Controller (use can get 10% if you use the coupon code on thier Youtube video)http://www.robotics-redefined.com/index ... ucts_id=62

1 WiFi Router (don't be too concerned about the brand -- we will be using Linksys because we found it to be most reasonably priced)

1 Network Camera (we will be using a Linksys network camera, see note for further details)

2 Ethernet Cables

1 5v Reglator for camera (may be depending on the brand of camera you are using)

Wire
Solder
Tape

**NOTE** After testing the WiFi Robot / Spybot, we would encourage the use of a different network camera. The Linksys camera works well, but if you are looking for a good quality image, we would suggest doing your own research on finding a camera that works for you.

STEP 1: COMPLETE CARNAGE!

To begin building your WiFi Robot / Spybot, gutting the Rc car is the first step. Take out everything! We got our Rc car from Radio Shack (but again, do your research find one that works for you). We took everything out of our Rc car and built a roll cage on top. Here is a picture of the truck after taking it apart with the 3 Rc batteries mounted on the truck.
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The two red batteries are to power the main motor and the Barracuda WiFi controller. The blue 7.2v battery will power the Linksys router, the 5v regulator for the camera, and the steering servo. However, three batteries are not needed. After testing the completed project, we have found that having three batteries allows the WiFi Robot / Spybot to have longer run times as well as making it more reliable. If you opt for two batteries, the Linksys router and the 5v regulator can handle 35v; allowing you to run them straight off the two 7.2v batteries wired in series. The only problem will be for the steering servo.You would either have to add another 5v regulator or get a higher amperage 5v regulator and run the camera and servo off of that. The latter would be easiest.

STEP 2: INSTALL THE STEERING SERVO

In this step, we took out the steering mechanism and replaced it with an Rc servo. Completing this step will be different depending on the kind of Rc car that you use. Refer to picture below.
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STEP 3: INSTALL THE BARRACUDA WIFI ROBOT / SPYBOT CONTROLLER

We started this step out by extending the wires coming from the motor by soldering on extra wire. Below is a picture of the Barracuda WiFi Robot / Spybot controller. This is what we will be using to control our robot.
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In the second picture of this step, we wanted you to take a look at the yellow wire from the motor that is connected to the terminal block. You can also see how the batteries are connected in series to power the Barracuda WiFi Robot controller. We connect the servo on the green terminal block. The red wire is connected to the third 7.2v batteries ground, as well as the servo's ground -- tying them all together. The white wire is the servo's signal wire. The Barracuda has two ports; each can individually be configured as a digital or analog input, a digital output or an Rc output.
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STEP 4: POWER THE CAMERA, ROUTER AND SERVO
Connect the corresponding power and ground wires for the following items:
The third 7.2v battery's mating connector
The servo
5v regulator
The router power connector
For a more detailed view, check out the Youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/roboworksllc

STEP 5: CONNECT THE BARRACUDA AND THE CAMERA TO THE ROUTER

Configure your router to have the base Ip address of 192.168.1.1. The stock Ip address for the Barracuda is 192.168.1.10. The Ip can be changed to whatever you want it to be with the included Barracuda configuration program. Connect the camera and the Barracuda WiFi robot controller to the router using the two Ethernet cables. Configure the camera to have an Ip that works with that of the router and Barracuda.

STEP 6: POWER UP AND GO!

The Barracuda WiFi robot controller comes with a sample program and source code to drive the car. Power the car up, connect to your camera in the browser, run the sample program for the Barracuda, and START DRIVING! The Barracuda also supports use of a PlayStation 3 controller plugged into your computer to control it.
For more info and to see the WiFi robot cruising around, check out
http://www.robotics-redefined.com
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