05 Aug 09 Using the Phidget Interface Kit under Linux

Further to a comment I received http://www.adamsinfo.com/the-robot-phidgets-usb-interface-board-kit-works/comment-page-1/#comment-490 I thought that it might be a good idea to write a quick high level overview of getting the USB Phidget Interface Kit working under Linux. In my case I am of course using 32bit Debian, however these instructions should mostly be portable to any other Linux based OS

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Tags: debian, gcc, Linux, phidget, phidget interface kit, usb

21 Jun 09 The Linux Robot – Dancing Beat Recognition

I haven’t had a chance to post anything here in quite a while now, partly due to lack of time, and partly due to lack of interesting or original material.

SEE VIDEO BELOW! I found myself with some spare time over the past few days and decided to try and get the robot to dance autonomously. I initially started looking at software algorithms to detect BPM (beats per minute) in music, either by using phase shifting which is challenging to write and not hugely accurate, or by analyzing amplitude peaks at a given [usually bassy] frequency, which is easier to write, and even less accurate.

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Tags: amplitude, amplitude peak, CPU, ground, input, interrupt, left channel, Linux, Linux robot, phidget, right channel, Robot, sample, usb sound

14 Nov 08 The Robot: A body, Sensors and Good Progress

Progress is going really well and I’m happy so far. Unfortunately I didn’t want to show the body yet as it is so far from finished but as I haven’t posted an update in a while I decided to just go with it.

The body is ever so slightly lop sided by a few mm here and there which is a shame however from a short distance you wouldn’t notice, it stands up straight and weight distribution is equal throughout the base plate so I’m happy with it. Ok, ‘professionally’ the body’s a mess however for my zero experience in that kind of work, I’m reasonably happy.

This is the front of it, top is a mounted webcam, to the left of that is a phidgets temperature sensor and top right is a phidgets light sensor. I am waiting to add 8 colored status LEDs around a small flat panel 5v stereo speaker as a ‘mouth’ (I got it from a Nokia phone bundle).
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Tags: battery pack, distance sensor, IR remotes, irda, LED, light sensor, Linux, Linux robot, MAX232, motor controller, nimh, phidget, phidgets sensor, picolcd, picopsu, polycarbonate glue, sabertooth, serial port, stereo speaker, temperature sensor, the robot, usb phidgets, usb sensor kit, webcam

07 Nov 08 The Robot: Phidgets USB Interface Board Kit works

The Phidget interface kit arrived and so did a few of the analog sensors that I ordered. I can’t believe just how simple they are to use and just how friendly and comprehensive their SDK is!

Here are some pictures:

This is the interface kit itself. It’s a regular USB device and draws minimal power. Along the top of the board are the analog sensor inputs. Each is connected via a simple 3-pin wire, ground, data and +V.  Along the right hand side are 8 simple digital on/off inputs. Along the left hand side are 8 just as simple digital on/off outputs. In this case, I have connected the Phidgets analog light sensor which you can just about see on the left of the picture. Download the Phidgets Linux SDK from their site, compile, and run the examples. The range on the light sensor is fantastic. It advertises 0 to 500 range and does indeed live up to the promise. Pitch black and the sensor reads < 5, and pushed up close against a 400W light, the sensor reads > 480. Normal light conditions and the sensor reads between 30 and 180 – very very useful.

The SDK comes with plenty of examples and is incredibly user friendly! I would recommend these all day long.. it really is plug and play.

And here’s a distance sensor. It’s a simple IR mechanism that ranges from about 1m to 10cm. There are also 10cm to 5mm sensors available. Again, works great, really reliable.

So now these work, I’ve ordered some more and they’re on their way. One temperature sensor, two voltage sensors, some sonar sensors and more IR sensors – fantastic products.

In the mean time, I’ve ordered a load of clear acrylic and plan to start putting a body together shortly.

I’m still having a little trouble talking to the motor controller so if anyone has any I2C knowledge, please please let me know. I don’t want to buy a prebuilt base.. I think it’s cheating.

Tags: Linux robot, phidget, phidgets, Robot, usb interface board